Money 2 — Phrasal Verbs
Money · 8 phrasal verbs · Level B1
put in
Meaning: to contribute money, time, or effort
put IN transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: We each put in fifty dollars for the gift.
In conversation: She put in extra hours this week.
Common partners: put in money · put in the hours
⚠️ Common mistake: Put in works for money, time AND effort — all are investments.
A Everyone put in twenty for pizza.
B Fair. I put in extra for drinks.
cash in
Meaning: to exchange something for money / profit from a situation
cash IN transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Players cash in their chips at the casino desk.
In conversation: Investors cashed in when prices peaked.
Common partners: cash in chips · cash in on a trend
⚠️ Common mistake: Cash in ON something = take advantage: She cashed in on the housing boom.
A Cash in your points before they expire.
B Good call — doing it now.
rip off
Meaning: to cheat someone by charging far too much
rip OFF transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Some taxis rip off tourists by taking the long route.
In conversation: Tourists get ripped off near the station.
Common partners: rip off tourists · a rip-off (noun: an overpriced thing)
⚠️ Common mistake: A rip-off (noun) = the overpriced thing itself: Fifty dollars? What a rip-off!
A That repair bill is a rip-off.
B Get a second quote before paying.
fork out
Meaning: to pay a lot of money, often unwillingly
fork OUT transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Car owners fork out hundreds of dollars for repairs every year.
In conversation: He hates forking out for parking.
Common partners: fork out for repairs · fork out a fortune
⚠️ Common mistake: Fork out shows reluctance — you pay, but you feel it.
A I forked out eighty for a plumber.
B Ouch. At least the sink works.
get by
Meaning: to manage with just enough money or skill
get BY intransitive (on + amount) inseparable — the object stays after the whole verb
Example: They get by on one salary.
In conversation: My French is basic, but I get by.
Common partners: get by on a budget · get by in Spanish
⚠️ Common mistake: Get by ON money; get by IN a language. Both mean 'just enough'.
A Can you get by on that salary?
B Tight, but yes — for now.
dip into
Meaning: to use some of your savings
dip IN-to transitive inseparable — the object stays after the whole verb
Example: We dipped into our savings for the roof repair.
In conversation: Don't dip into the emergency fund for shoes.
Common partners: dip into savings · dip into the fund
⚠️ Common mistake: Dip into = take a SMALL part (like dipping a spoon) — not empty the account.
A We had to dip into savings this month.
B The car repair left no choice.
build up
Meaning: to increase gradually over time
build UP transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Build up your savings a little every month.
In conversation: She built up a loyal customer base.
Common partners: build up savings · build up strength
⚠️ Common mistake: Build up is slow and steady — money, muscles, speed, confidence.
A Build up an emergency fund first.
B Three months of expenses — goal set.
run up
Meaning: to make a bill or debt grow by spending
run UP transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: He ran up a huge phone bill abroad.
In conversation: Don't run up debt on that card.
Common partners: run up a bill · run up debt
⚠️ Common mistake: Run up is what bills do when you're not watching. Always negative in money.
A She ran up two thousand in card debt.
B Time for a budget — today.
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