🟠 TOEIC Part 5: What Are Phrasal Verbs — And Why Do They Confuse Everyone?

Phrasal verbs are one of the most common reasons test takers lose easy points in Part 5.

They look simple — a verb plus a short word — but their meaning is often nothing like the sum of the parts.

🔍 What’s a Phrasal Verb?

A phrasal verb is a verb + a preposition (or adverb) that creates a new meaning you can’t guess by translating the words separately.

Example:

  • Look up doesn’t mean “look” + “up.”

  • It means search for information: I looked up the company on Google.

⚠️ Why They’re Hard

  • You can’t translate them word-for-word.

  • One verb can have multiple meanings.

  • Some are separable (you can put the object between the verb and particle), others are not.

Examples:

  • Turn down = reject → They turned down the offer.

  • Break down = stop working → My car broke down yesterday.

The meaning depends entirely on context and usage.

📝 Sample TOEIC Part 5 Question

The manager decided to ___ the candidate’s application due to lack of experience.

A) turn down ✅
B) look up
C) break in
D) set out

Why A is correct:

  • Turn down = reject.

  • Look up = search.

  • Break in = force entry or train someone.

  • Set out = begin a journey or plan.

💡 Smart Tips for Mastering Phrasal Verbs

  • Learn them in context — not as separate words.

  • Memorise them as one idea — e.g., “turn down” = reject.

  • Know formal synonyms — “turn down” = “reject,” “carry out” = “perform,” “set up” = “arrange.”

  • Check separability —

    • They turned the offer down. ✅

    • They turned down the offer. ✅

    • They turned it down. ✅

    • They turned down it. ❌

🧠 Why TOEIC Uses Them

Phrasal verbs appear constantly in real workplace English — emails, calls, meetings, and casual conversations.

They test whether you can understand them in context, under time pressure, with multiple similar-looking options.

If you can handle that, you’re not just learning English — you’re ready to use it in the real world.

Final Word

Phrasal verbs are a quick win in Part 5 if you’ve trained them in context. Learn their meanings as complete units, link them to synonyms, and practise spotting them under pressure.

For more strategies and resources to master TOEIC vocabulary in context, visit the English Library Collection and start locking in phrasal verbs with confidence.

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.