Getting Around — Phrasal Verbs
Transport · 8 phrasal verbs · Level A2
pull over
Meaning: to drive to the side of the road and stop
pull O-ver intransitive & transitive intransitive — no object
Example: Pull over here — I need to check the map.
In conversation: The police officer asked him to pull over.
Common partners: pull over to the side · pull over safely
⚠️ Common mistake: A driver pulls over; a passenger doesn't. Not: 'I pulled over the bus stop.'
A Pull over at the next gas station.
B Okay, I need coffee anyway.
slow down
Meaning: to go more slowly
slow DOWN intransitive & transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Slow down! This is a school zone.
In conversation: The bus slowed down at the corner.
Common partners: slow down traffic · slow down, please
⚠️ Common mistake: You can slow down a process too: The rain slowed down the work.
A Slow down — you're walking too fast.
B Sorry! I'm excited.
speed up
Meaning: to go faster
speed UP intransitive & transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Speed up a little — we're going to be late.
In conversation: The train sped up after the station.
Common partners: speed up the process · speed up production
⚠️ Common mistake: Speed up is neutral; 'speed' alone as a verb can suggest breaking the speed limit.
A Can we speed up?
B We're already at the limit.
fill up
Meaning: to make a container completely full (often gas)
fill UP transitive & intransitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Fill up the car before the long drive.
In conversation: The stadium filled up quickly.
Common partners: fill up the tank · fill up on snacks
⚠️ Common mistake: 'Fill up on food' means eat a lot: Don't fill up on bread.
A Fill up here — gas is cheaper.
B Good idea. Full tank, please.
get around
Meaning: to move from place to place / travel within an area
get a-ROUND intransitive intransitive — no object
Example: Most people get around by subway in this city.
In conversation: A bike is the best way to get around campus.
Common partners: get around by bus · get around town
⚠️ Common mistake: Not: 'get around the town by walk' — get around town ON FOOT or BY bus.
A How do you get around Denver?
B Mostly by light rail.
set off
Meaning: to start a journey
set OFF intransitive intransitive — no object
Example: We set off early to avoid traffic.
In conversation: They set off for Chicago at dawn.
Common partners: set off early · set off on a trip
⚠️ Common mistake: Set off also triggers alarms: The smoke set off the alarm.
A What time do we set off?
B Six sharp. Be ready.
see off
Meaning: to go with someone to their departure point and say goodbye
see OFF transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: We went to the airport to see off Grandma Rose.
In conversation: His whole family came to see him off.
Common partners: see off at the airport · see off friends
⚠️ Common mistake: With a pronoun: see her off, not 'see off her'.
A Are you coming to see me off?
B Of course! I wouldn't miss it.
stop over
Meaning: to stay somewhere briefly during a long journey
stop O-ver intransitive intransitive — no object
Example: Many travelers stop over in Denver on the way west.
In conversation: Let's stop over at a motel and rest.
Common partners: stop over in Denver · a stopover (noun)
⚠️ Common mistake: The noun is one word: a two-hour stopover.
A Do we stop over anywhere?
B One night in Chicago, then we drive on.
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