Phrasal Verbs Frequently Heard in Movies and TV Shows

Phrasal Verbs Frequently Heard in Movies and TV Shows

Watching movies and TV shows is not only a great source of entertainment but also an effective way to learn English in context. One of the key language features that frequently appear in spoken dialogue is phrasal verbs. These are combinations of verbs with prepositions or adverbs that change the meanings of the original verbs. Mastering phrasal verbs can help English learners understand conversations better and sound more natural when speaking. Below, we explore some of the most common phrasal verbs you will hear in movies and TV shows, their meanings, and examples.

Break Down

“Break down” often appears in dramatic scenes or emotional moments. It means to lose control emotionally or to stop functioning (usually for machines or equipment).

Example:
After hearing the bad news, the character completely broke down.
The car broke down in the middle of nowhere.

This phrasal verb is essential for both emotional expressions and technical situations, making it versatile in many storylines.

Look Up

“Look up” is frequently heard when characters seek information or when a situation improves.

Example:
If you don’t know the word’s meaning, just look it up in the dictionary.
Things are starting to look up after all the difficulties.

In films and series, calling attention to information or signaling a positive change is often done using this phrasal verb.

Give Up

“Give up” means to stop trying or to surrender. This phrasal verb is commonly used in motivational scenes or moments of defeat.

Example:
Don’t give up—keep fighting until the end!
She decided to give up her dream after several failures.

Whether in inspiring speeches or sad resignations, “give up” is a quick and powerful way to convey these emotions.

Run Into

“Run into” can mean both to collide with someone accidentally and to meet someone unexpectedly.

Example:
I ran into my old friend at the supermarket yesterday.
The car ran into a tree during the storm.

This phrasal verb is useful for describing encounters or accidents, which often happen in various plot twists.

Turn Down

“Turn down” means to refuse or reject an offer or request.

Example:
She turned down the job offer because it didn’t meet her expectations.
He asked her out, but she turned him down.

Rejections are common dramatic or comic moments, and “turn down” is the natural phrase to express them.

Pick Up

“Pick up” has multiple meanings: to collect someone or something, to learn something quickly, or to improve.

Example:
I’ll pick you up at the airport.
She picked up French very quickly during her stay in Paris.
Sales have picked up since the holiday season started.

This phrasal verb’s flexibility is why it appears in many contexts, from casual conversations to business discussions.

Put Off

“Put off” means to delay or postpone an activity or event.

Example:
They had to put off the meeting until next week.
Don’t put off your homework if you want to finish early.

In stories about busy characters or unexpected events, “put off” easily communicates delays.

Come Across

“Come across” means to find or meet something/someone by chance or to give a certain impression.

Example:
I came across an old letter while cleaning the attic.
He comes across as very confident in the interview.

This phrasal verb helps describe accidental discoveries and personal impressions, both common themes in dialogues.

Take Off

“Take off” is frequently used to describe when a plane leaves the ground or when something becomes suddenly successful.

Example:
The plane will take off in ten minutes.
Her career really took off after the new movie.

Both literal and figurative meanings make this phrasal verb popular in dynamic scenes about travel or success.

Check Out

“Check out” means to look at something or investigate it, or to leave a hotel.

Example:
Check out this new phone model—it has amazing features!
We need to check out of the hotel by noon.

Often used for expressions of curiosity or completing stays, this phrase is common in casual and formal exchanges in movies.

Get Over

“Get over” means to recover from something, usually an illness or an emotional setback.

Example:
It took her months to get over the breakup.
He finally got over the flu after a week.

This simple phrase provides a way to talk about healing and moving past difficulties in stories.

Set Up

“Set up” means to arrange or organize something, such as a meeting or event, or to trick someone.

Example:
They set up a surprise party for their friend.
He was set up by his rivals and wrongly accused.

This phrasal verb can create tension or joy in plotlines, depending on the context.

Hold On

“Hold on” means to wait or to grasp tightly.

Example:
Hold on, I’ll be right there.
Please hold on to the railing when going down the stairs.

The phrase is often used to inject urgency or caution in dialogues and is very common in everyday speech.

Make Up

“Make up” can mean to reconcile after a disagreement, or to invent a story or excuse.

Example:
After arguing, they made up and became friends again.
He made up an excuse for being late.

Its dual meaning enriches conversations about relationships and storytelling.

Shoot Down

“Shoot down” means to reject an idea or plan forcefully.

Example:
The manager shot down the proposal immediately.
Every suggestion he made was shot down by the team.

This phrase conveys strong refusal or dismissal clearly and effectively.

Look After

“Look after” means to take care of someone or something.

Example:
Can you look after my dog while I’m away?
She looks after her younger siblings every weekend.

This caring action is often portrayed in family or friendship scenes.

Run Away

“Run away” means to escape from a place or situation, often to avoid trouble.

Example:
The teenager ran away from home after the argument.
He wanted to run away from his problems.

It frequently appears in dramatic contexts involving conflict or fear.

Back Up

“Back up” has several meanings: to support someone, to make a copy of data, or to move backward.

Example:
I’ll back you up during the meeting.
Make sure to back up your files regularly.
The car backed up slowly out of the driveway.

Its versatility allows it to fit in technical, social, and everyday scenarios.

Turn Up

“Turn up” can mean to arrive or to increase volume or intensity.

Example:
She finally turned up after we started the party.
Can you turn up the music, please?

This phrasal verb’s flexibility makes it a frequent choice for various situations in stories.

Regular exposure to these popular phrasal verbs through your favorite movies and TV shows can improve your understanding of natural English. Try to notice how characters use them in different contexts, then practice using them yourself for better fluency and confidence.

Also check out VocabDaily workbook collections.