Ideas & Thinking — Phrasal Verbs
Thinking · 8 phrasal verbs · Level B2
dwell on
Meaning: to think too long about something negative
dwell ON transitive inseparable — the object stays after the whole verb
Example: Don't dwell on your mistakes — learn and move on.
In conversation: He dwells on every small failure.
Common partners: dwell on the past · dwell on mistakes
⚠️ Common mistake: Dwell on is almost always negative — positive thinking is 'reflect on', not dwell on.
A Stop dwelling on that comment.
B You're right. Moving on.
mull over
Meaning: to think carefully about something for a long time
mull O-ver transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Mull over the offer before you answer.
In conversation: She mulled over the decision all weekend.
Common partners: mull over an offer · mull over the options
⚠️ Common mistake: Mull over is SLOW thinking — no rush, deep thought. Positive, unlike dwell on.
A Mull over the contract tonight.
B I will — no signing until tomorrow.
read into
Meaning: to find extra meaning that may not be there
read IN-to transitive inseparable — the object stays after the whole verb
Example: Don't read into his short email — he's just busy.
In conversation: She read too much into the comment.
Common partners: read into a situation · read too much into
⚠️ Common mistake: Almost always in warnings: Don't read into it / You're reading too much into it.
A Don't read into her silence.
B She's probably just tired. True.
toy with
Meaning: to consider an idea without serious commitment
toy WITH transitive inseparable — the object stays after the whole verb
Example: I often toy with the idea of moving to Seattle.
In conversation: He toyed with starting a band for years.
Common partners: toy with the idea · toy with a plan
⚠️ Common mistake: Toy with THE IDEA of (not 'toy with to move'): toying with the idea of moving.
A I'm toying with the idea of a podcast.
B Try one episode — then decide.
sleep on
Meaning: to wait until tomorrow before deciding
sleep ON transitive inseparable — the object stays after the whole verb
Example: Sleep on it and tell me tomorrow.
In conversation: Big decisions? Sleep on them.
Common partners: sleep on it · sleep on a decision
⚠️ Common mistake: The object is almost always IT: Let me sleep on it. Never skip the it!
A Sleep on the offer.
B Good advice. Answer tomorrow.
dream up
Meaning: to invent something imaginative or unusual
dream UP transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: She dreamed up a brilliant marketing idea.
In conversation: Kids dream up the wildest stories.
Common partners: dream up an idea · dream up excuses
⚠️ Common mistake: Dream up often suggests creativity — or excuses: He dreamed up another excuse.
A Who dreamed up this game?
B My daughter — age nine, genius.
think up
Meaning: to invent or create an idea
think UP transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Think up a name for the new product.
In conversation: He thinks up clever solutions fast.
Common partners: think up a name · think up a plan
⚠️ Common mistake: Think up = practical invention; dream up = wilder imagination. Close cousins.
A Think up a title by Friday.
B I'll bring three options.
hit on
Meaning: to suddenly have a good idea
hit ON transitive inseparable — the object stays after the whole verb
Example: At midnight she hit on the perfect solution.
In conversation: He hit on a name everyone loved.
Common partners: hit on an idea · hit on the answer
⚠️ Common mistake: Careful: hit on someone = flirt with them! Idea: hit on AN IDEA; person: different story.
A She hit on the fix at 2 a.m.
B Genius strikes at night.
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