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TOEIC Decision Point

TOEIC Part 5 Phrasal Verbs in Context

TOEIC phrasal verb questions are not just memory questions. The business action and nearby words can help identify the best answer.

It is easy to see a familiar verb like fill, set, look, carry, or put and then guess the small word after it. That is risky.

MTC coaching rule: Do not memorise the verb alone. Read the object and business context around it. They can help identify the action.

The MTC 7-second choice

Look at the business action first. Then match the small word. The 7-second label is an MTC coaching heuristic, not an official TOEIC timing rule.

fill out

forms, applications, surveys, documents

set up

meetings, systems, accounts, equipment

look into

problems, complaints, requests, issues

carry out

inspections, surveys, research, tests

put off

meetings, events, decisions, deadlines

go over

figures, details, reports, plans

Do not translate the small word first

The small word changes the action. An MTC quick check is to look at the noun or business situation around the phrase.

Please fill out the application form.

The object is “application form.” That points to fill out.

The IT department will look into the problem.

The object is “problem.” That points to look into.

Common TOEIC business signals

Forms and documents: fill out the form, fill out the application, fill out the survey

Preparation: set up a meeting, set up an account, set up new equipment

Investigation: look into a complaint, look into an issue, look into the request

Work execution: carry out an inspection, carry out research, carry out a test

Delay: put off a meeting, put off a decision, put off the event

Watch it in TOEIC business sentences

All visitors must fill out the registration form before entering the building.

Registration form gives the answer.

The marketing team will set up a booth at the trade fair.

A booth is prepared or arranged. Set up fits.

The manager promised to look into the customer’s complaint.

A complaint needs investigation. Look into fits.

The safety inspection was carried out last Friday.

An inspection is performed. Carry out fits.

Small words around the blank matter

A useful clue may appear immediately after the blank. The object can help identify the intended action.

Form signal

Please fill ___ the online application.

Answer: out

Arrangement signal

The assistant set ___ the conference room.

Answer: up

Investigation signal

We will look ___ the delivery problem.

Answer: into

Quick TOEIC check

Choose the best answer. Use the object after the blank as your signal.

1. Please fill ___ the application form before the deadline.
2. The IT team will set ___ the new password system next week.
3. The supervisor agreed to look ___ the customer complaint.
4. The safety inspection was carried ___ last Friday.
5. The seminar was put ___ because of the storm.
6. Please go ___ the sales figures before the meeting.

Fast-reader mistake

Under time pressure, it is easy to choose the small word by sound. In this kind of item, the object and business context can help show what action is happening.

Do not ask only: Which small word sounds familiar?

Ask instead: What business action is happening, and what object follows?

Why this mistake returns under pressure

Phrasal verbs can feel like a memorisation task, so learners may try to remember a list. Under pressure, list recall can become slow and uncertain.

An MTC coaching move is to connect the phrase to a business action: form, meeting, complaint, inspection, event, report, or figures.

MTC quick-decision tool: Form = fill out. System or meeting = set up. Problem = look into. Inspection = carry out. Delay = put off. Review = go over.

Final takeaway

TOEIC phrasal verb questions can often be narrowed by checking the object and the business context.

Look after the blank

The object can provide a strong clue.

Name the business action

Is it filling, arranging, investigating, performing, postponing, or reviewing?

Choose the phrase

Match the action, not just the sound.

Training your eye to read the object and context around the blank can make phrasal verb decisions more systematic.

Use small TOEIC mistakes as a diagnostic

If phrasal verbs feel unpredictable, the issue may not be memory alone. It may be that you are not using the object and business context as decision signals.

The TOEIC Learning Block Diagnostic can help you review wider patterns such as speed, overthinking, translation, passive listening, memorisation, or burnout. One missed phrasal-verb item is not enough to identify a Learning Block; use repeated evidence across questions, practice sets or sessions.

Take the TOEIC Learning Block Diagnostic Practise in Part 5 Grammar Drills

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For more TOEIC Part 5 small-word and context-signal traps, continue with these related pages.

Part 5 Prepositions: in, at, on, by, with, to, for By vs With: method, agent, or tool? Back to top TOEIC Strategy Library TOEIC Part 5 Guide MTC SRC Library
Q1. What is a phrasal verb? A phrase made of a verb + one or more particles (like “up” or “off”) that creates a new meaning, often unrelated to the base verb. Q2. Why are phrasal verbs hard to learn? Because you can’t guess the meaning from the words alone. They are idiomatic and often need context. Q3. Are phrasal verbs common in TOEIC? Yes. They appear in Part 5 and Part 6 questions, especially in business-related contexts. Q4. What does “turn down” mean? It means to reject something. Example: They turned down the offer. Q5. Can I say “turn down it”? No. When using a pronoun like “it,” you must split the verb: turn it down. Q6. What’s the difference between “look for” and “look up”? Look for = try to find something Look up = search for information Q7. What does “carry out” mean? It means to perform or complete a task. Example: The technician carried out the inspection. Q8. What does “set up” mean? It means to arrange or prepare something. Example: They set up the meeting room. Q9. What’s the meaning of “break down”? Usually: to stop working (machines) or lose emotional control (people). My car broke down. / He broke down in tears. Q10. Are phrasal verbs formal? Most are informal or neutral. TOEIC uses them because they appear in real-life workplace English. Q11. What is a “separable” phrasal verb? One where the object can go between the verb and the particle. Turn down the offer = Turn it down ✅ Q12. What does “bring up” mean? To introduce a topic. She brought up the issue during the meeting. Q13. What does “find out” mean? To discover or learn something new. I found out the client cancelled. Q14. Can all phrasal verbs be separated? No. Some cannot be split. Look after the dog → ❌ Look the dog after Q15. What’s “put off” mean? To delay or postpone. They put off the presentation. Q16. What does “run into” mean? To meet someone unexpectedly. I ran into my boss at the station. Q17. What does “get along with” mean? To have a good relationship. She gets along well with her coworkers. Q18. Is “give up” a phrasal verb? Yes. It means to quit. Don’t give up! Q19. What does “pick up” mean? It depends on context: Learn (I picked up French) Collect (Pick up the parcel) Q20. What’s the opposite of “give up”? “Keep going” or “carry on” depending on context. Q21. What does “back up” mean? To support someone/something OR to make a copy of data. Thanks for backing me up. Q22. Can I use phrasal verbs in TOEIC writing? Yes, but use them carefully — some are too casual. Prefer formal words when writing essays. Q23. What’s “go over” mean? To review or check something carefully. Let’s go over the report. Q24. What does “cut off” mean? To interrupt or stop something suddenly. The call was cut off. Q25. What’s the meaning of “deal with”? To handle a problem or situation. I’m dealing with a client complaint. Q26. Is “look after” separable? No. You cannot say look the dog after. You must say look after the dog. Q27. What does “fill out” mean? To complete a form. Please fill out the application. Q28. What does “take over” mean? To assume control of something. She took over the project. Q29. What does “drop by” mean? To visit briefly and informally. I’ll drop by the office later. Q30. What does “go on” mean? To continue or happen. What’s going on here? Q31. What does “hang up” mean? To end a phone call. He hung up on me! Q32. What does “check in” mean? To register on arrival. Check in at the hotel desk. Q33. What does “log in” mean? To enter a computer system with credentials. Log in with your ID. Q34. What does “shut down” mean? To close or stop operating. The system shut down unexpectedly. Q35. What does “turn off” mean? To deactivate something. Turn off your phone during the meeting. Q36. What does “pull out” mean? To withdraw from a project or plan. They pulled out of the deal. Q37. What does “make up” mean? To invent (a story) or reconcile (a conflict). She made up an excuse. / They made up after the fight. Q38. What does “work out” mean? To exercise OR to resolve a problem. I work out every morning. / We worked it out. Q39. What does “take off” mean? To become successful quickly or to remove something. Sales took off. / Take off your shoes. Q40. How many phrasal verbs should I know for TOEIC? Start with 30–50 high-frequency business ones. TOEIC loves “carry out,” “set up,” “turn down,” “look into,” etc.