House & Chores 2 — Phrasal Verbs
Home life · 8 phrasal verbs · Level A2
wipe down
Meaning: to clean a surface with a cloth
wipe DOWN transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Wipe down the counters after cooking.
In conversation: She wiped down the table.
Common partners: wipe down the counters · wipe down surfaces
⚠️ Common mistake: With a pronoun: wipe it down.
A Wipe down the stove, please.
B Right after I wash the pans.
put up
Meaning: to fix something to a wall / build / raise
put UP transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: We put up pictures in the living room.
In conversation: They put up a fence around the garden.
Common partners: put up a picture · put up a tent
⚠️ Common mistake: Put up with = tolerate (a different, common phrase): I can't put up with the noise.
A Let's put up the new shelf.
B Hold it straight while I drill.
take down
Meaning: to remove something from a wall or high place
take DOWN transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Take down the decorations after the party.
In conversation: He took down the old poster.
Common partners: take down decorations · take down a sign
⚠️ Common mistake: Take down also means write notes in some contexts — but for walls, it's remove.
A Take down the balloons, please.
B Party's over, I guess.
move out
Meaning: to leave a home permanently
move OUT intransitive intransitive — no object
Example: He plans to move out when he gets married.
In conversation: We're moving out at the end of the month.
Common partners: move out of an apartment · moving out day
⚠️ Common mistake: Move out needs OUT of a place; move in is the opposite (already in the first sets).
A When do you move out?
B Saturday — the truck comes at nine.
clear out
Meaning: to empty a space completely by removing things
clear OUT transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Clear out the garage this weekend.
In conversation: She cleared out her desk drawers.
Common partners: clear out the garage · clear out old stuff
⚠️ Common mistake: Clear out = remove CONTENTS; clean up = remove dirt. A garage can need both!
A Let's clear out the attic.
B Half of it can go to charity.
wash up
Meaning: to wash the dishes / wash your hands and face
wash UP intransitive & transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: You cook, I'll wash up.
In conversation: Wash up before dinner, kids.
Common partners: wash up the dishes · wash up for dinner
⚠️ Common mistake: In American English wash up usually means dishes or hands/face — context decides.
A Who's washing up tonight?
B Your turn — I cooked.
air out
Meaning: to open a room or item to fresh air
air OUT transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Open the windows and air out the room.
In conversation: Air out the tent before the trip.
Common partners: air out a room · air out blankets
⚠️ Common mistake: Not: 'air out it' — air it out.
A Air out the car — it smells like fries.
B Windows down, then.
freshen up
Meaning: to quickly wash and make yourself look neat
FRESH-en UP intransitive intransitive — no object
Example: Let me freshen up before the guests arrive.
In conversation: She went to freshen up after the flight.
Common partners: freshen up quickly · freshen up before dinner
⚠️ Common mistake: Freshen up is a quick refresh (face, hair, clothes) — not a full shower.
A I'll just freshen up.
B Take your time — dinner is at seven.
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