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Unit 145 · Phrasal verbs

Phrasal verbs 9 away/back

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A

away = away from home

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We’re going away on holiday today.

away = away from a place, a person etc.

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Sarah got into her car, started the engine and drove away.

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I tried to take a picture of the bird, but it flew away.

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I dropped the ticket, and it blew away in the wind.

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The police searched the house and took away a computer.

In the same way you can say: walk away, run away, look away etc.

back = back home

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We’ll be back in three weeks.

back = back to a place, a person etc.

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a: I’m going out now. b: What time will you be back?

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After eating at a restaurant, we walked back to our hotel.

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I’ve still got Jane’s keys. I forgot to give them back to her.

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When you’ve finished with that book, can you put it back on the shelf?

In the same way you can say: go back, come back, get back, take something back etc.

B

get away = escape, leave with difficulty

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We tried to catch the thief, but she got away.

get away with something = do something wrong without being caught

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I parked in a no-parking zone, but I got away with it. I didn’t have to pay a fine.

keep away (from …) = don’t go near

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Keep away from the edge of the pool. You might fall in.

give something away = give it to somebody else because you don’t want it any more

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'Did you sell your bike?' 'No, I gave it away to a friend.'

put something away = put it in the place where it is usually kept

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When the children finished playing with their toys, they put them away.

throw something away = put it in the rubbish

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I kept the letter, but I threw away the envelope.

C

wave back / smile back / shout back / hit somebody back

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I waved to her, and she waved back.

call/phone/ring (somebody) back = return a phone call

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I can’t talk to you now. I’ll call you back in ten minutes.

get back to somebody = reply to them by phone etc.

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I sent him an email, but he never got back to me.

look back (on something) = think about what happened in the past

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My first job was in a travel agency. I didn’t like it much at the time but, looking back on it, I learnt a lot and it was a useful experience.

pay back money, pay somebody back

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If you borrow money, you have to pay it back.

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Thanks for lending me the money. I’ll pay you back next week.

Exercises (4)

0/4 exercises checked
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145.1

Look at the pictures and complete the sentences.

  1. 1
    She waved to him and he .example
  2. 2
    It was windy. I dropped a £20 note and it .
  3. 3
    She opened the letter, read it and in the envelope.
  4. 4
    He tried to talk to her, but she just .
  5. 5
    Ellie threw the ball to Ben and he .
  6. 6
    His shoes were worn out, so he .
145.2

Complete the sentences. Use a verb + away or back.

  1. 1
    I was away all day yesterday. I very late.example
  2. 2
    I haven’t seen our neighbours for a while. I think they must .
  3. 3
    'I’m going out now.' 'OK. What time will you ?'
  4. 4
    I saw a man trying to break into a car. When he saw me, he .
  5. 5
    If you cheat in the exam, you might with it or you might get caught.
  6. 6
    Be careful! That’s an electric fence. Make sure you from it.
  7. 7
    He wasn’t very friendly. I smiled at him, but he didn’t .
145.3

Complete the sentences. Use only one word each time.

  1. 1
    The woman got into her car, started the engine and drove .example
  2. 2
    This box could be useful, so I won’t it away.
  3. 3
    Jane doesn’t do anything at work. I don’t know how she away with it.
  4. 4
    I’m going out now. I’ll back in about an hour.
  5. 5
    You should think more about the future. Don’t back all the time.
  6. 6
    Gary is very generous. He won some money in the lottery and it all away.
  7. 7
    I’ll back to you as soon as I have the information you need.
  8. 8
    I washed the dishes, dried them and them away.
145.4

Complete the sentences. Use the verb in brackets + away or back.

  1. 1
    a: Do you still have my keys?
    b: No. Don’t you remember? I to you yesterday. (give)example
  2. 2
    a: Do you want this magazine?
    b: No, I’ve finished with it. You can . (throw)
  3. 3
    a: How are your new jeans? Do they fit you OK?
    b: No, they’re too tight. I’m going to to the shop. (take)
  4. 4
    a: Here’s the money you asked me to lend you.
    b: Thanks. I’ll as soon as I can. (pay)
  5. 5
    a: What happened to all the books you used to have?
    b: I didn’t want them any more, so I . (give)
  6. 6
    a: Did you phone Sarah?
    b: Yes, I left a message for her, but she hasn’t . (call)