Inseparable Phrasal Verbs

Some transitive phrasal verbs (phrasal verbs which require an object) do not allow an object to be placed between the verb and particle. The object MUST follow the complete verb. These verbs are called Inseparable phrasal Verbs. Here is a selection of some of the more common inseparable phrasal verbs and simplified definitions.

back out of - fail to keep a promise; break an agreement to do something
bear down on - lean on; browbeat, approach
bear up under - endure
break in on - interrupt somebody
break into - interrupt a conversation; enter a building by forcing entry
call for - come to collect somebody; require something
care for - like something; to take care of somebody
carry on with - continue with an activity
catch up with - to reach the same place or the same level of performance or achievement as someone ahead of you
check up on - examine; verify something
come across - find accidentally (person or thing)
come along with - accompany; make progress
come by - find something accidentally
come down with - become ill with
come out with - say something
come up with - say or propose something, have an idea
count on - rely on somebody or something
disagree with - cause illness or discomfort to somebody
do away with - abolish
do without - deprive yourself of something
drop in at/on - visit casually without planning
drop out of - leave; quit (usually education)
face up to - acknowledge something
fall behind in - lag; not progress at the required pace
fall back on - use for emergency purpose
fall out with - quarrel with somebody and damage a relationship
fill in for - temporarily act as a substitute for somebody
get ahead of - overtake; beat
get around - evade somebody; avoid doing something, manipulate somebody into accepting something
get away with - do something without being caught or punished
get by with - manage with a minimum of effort
get down to - become serious about
get in - enter (a vehicle)
get off - descend from; leave (a bus, train, aircraft, horse, motorbike etc)
get on - enter (a vehicle); mount a horse, bicycle, motorbike
get on with - proceed with doing something
get through with - terminate, finish
go back on - fail to keep (a promise)
go for - like something a lot (informal), choose something
go in for - be interested in; participate in
go on with - continue doing something
go over - review
go with - harmonize with; look pleasing together
go without - not have something
hang around - remain in a place without doing anything
hear from - receive a communication from
hear of - learn about (sometimes accidentally)
hit on - discover accidentally (usually an idea)
hold on to - grasp tightly
hold out against - resist a form of pressure
keep at - persevere with doing something
keep up with - maintain the pace of somebody else
live on - support or sustain yourself (usually with food or money)
live up to - maintain a standard or reputation
look after - take care of
look back on - remember nostalgically
look down on - feel superior to
look forward to - anticipate with pleasure
look up to - respect; admire
make up for - compensate for
pass on - transmit something
pick on - tease; bully
put up with - tolerate something or somebody
read up on - search out information on
run against - compete against somebody in an election
run away with - leave; escape from
run for - campaign for an election
see about - consider; arrange for something to be done
see to - arrange; supervise
settle on - decide on; choose
stand for - represent; permit; tolerate
stand up for - support or defend something or somebody (often your rights)
stand up to - resist (usually a form of pressure)
stick to - persist with an activity
stick up for - support; defend
take after - resemble (usually another person)
talk back to - answer impolitely
talk over - discuss
tell on - report misbehavior to authority
touch on - mention briefly
turn into - become
wait on - serve
wait up for - not go to bed because you are waiting for another person or thing
watch out for - be careful; pay attention to

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