News & Events — Phrasal Verbs
News & media · 8 phrasal verbs · Level B2
come out
Meaning: to be released or published / become known
come OUT intransitive intransitive — no object
Example: The results come out next week.
In conversation: Her new album comes out on Friday.
Common partners: come out next week · the truth comes out
⚠️ Common mistake: Come out is for releases and truths appearing — not for people leaving a room (that's come out of / walk out).
A When do the grades come out?
B Friday, the teacher said.
go ahead
Meaning: to proceed / get permission to start
go a-HEAD intransitive intransitive — no object
Example: Go ahead and start without me.
In conversation: The city will go ahead with the new bridge.
Common partners: go ahead with a plan · go ahead, please
⚠️ Common mistake: Go ahead WITH a project; go ahead AND do something. 'Go ahead' alone = giving permission.
A Can I go ahead with the order?
B Yes — the budget is approved.
call for
Meaning: to publicly demand or require something
call FOR transitive inseparable — the object stays after the whole verb
Example: Protesters call for change outside city hall.
In conversation: This situation calls for calm thinking.
Common partners: call for change · call for action
⚠️ Common mistake: Call for ≠ call (phone): Nobody is telephoning — they are DEMANDING.
A Residents call for safer streets.
B The mayor promised a meeting.
crack down
Meaning: to enforce rules more strictly
crack DOWN intransitive (on + thing) inseparable — the object stays after the whole verb
Example: Police crack down on speeding every summer.
In conversation: The school will crack down on cheating.
Common partners: crack down on crime · a crackdown (noun)
⚠️ Common mistake: Crack down ON the problem: crack down on illegal parking.
A They will crack down on noise after ten.
B Good — some of us sleep early.
step up
Meaning: to increase effort or action when needed
step UP intransitive & transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Step up your efforts if you want the promotion.
In conversation: Volunteers stepped up after the storm.
Common partners: step up production · step up and help
⚠️ Common mistake: Step up TO the challenge = accept it bravely. A leader's phrase.
A We must step up security this week.
B Agreed — two extra guards.
phase out
Meaning: to slowly stop using something over time
phase OUT transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: The city will phase out old buses by 2030.
In conversation: They phase out paper tickets this year.
Common partners: phase out gradually · phase out by 2030
⚠️ Common mistake: Phase out = SLOW stop with a timeline — not an immediate ban.
A They phase out plastic bags in June.
B Shoppers get cloth bags instead.
roll out
Meaning: to launch a new product or plan gradually
roll OUT transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: The company will roll out the new app in May.
In conversation: They roll out updates city by city.
Common partners: roll out a product · roll out across the country
⚠️ Common mistake: Roll out implies stages — first one city, then everywhere.
A When do they roll out the new menu?
B March — starting in Chicago.
die down
Meaning: to become weaker or calmer gradually
die DOWN intransitive intransitive — no object
Example: The noise will die down after midnight.
In conversation: Wait for the wind to die down.
Common partners: die down slowly · the scandal dies down
⚠️ Common mistake: Die down is for noise, wind, excitement, scandals — things that fade, not living beings.
A Will the protests die down?
B After the vote, probably.
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