People & Relationships — Phrasal Verbs
People & relationships · 8 phrasal verbs · Level B1
fall for
Meaning: to fall in love with / be tricked by
fall FOR transitive inseparable — the object stays after the whole verb
Example: He fell for her the day they met in Austin.
In conversation: I think I'm starting to fall for her.
Common partners: fall for someone · fall for a trick
⚠️ Common mistake: Two meanings! Fall for a person = love; fall for a trick = be fooled. Context decides.
A You fall for people fast.
B This time feels different.
break up
Meaning: to end a romantic relationship
break UP intransitive (with + person) inseparable — the object stays after the whole verb
Example: They broke up after three years together.
In conversation: I heard they break up and get back together every month.
Common partners: break up with someone · a breakup (noun)
⚠️ Common mistake: Break up WITH someone: She broke up with him, not 'broke up him'.
A They broke up last week.
B Oh no — they seemed so happy.
make up
Meaning: to become friends again after an argument
make UP intransitive (with + person) inseparable — the object stays after the whole verb
Example: They argued in the morning and made up by lunch.
In conversation: Come on — say sorry and make up.
Common partners: make up with a friend · kiss and make up
⚠️ Common mistake: Make up has THREE lives: reconcile, invent (make up a story), and cosmetics. Context rules.
A Did you two make up?
B Yes — we talked it out last night.
ask out
Meaning: to invite someone on a date
ask OUT transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: He plans to ask out his coworker on Friday.
In conversation: Ask her out — the worst she can say is no.
Common partners: ask out on a date · ask someone out
⚠️ Common mistake: With a pronoun: ask her out, not 'ask out her'.
A I'm going to ask out Emma today.
B Finally! Good luck.
turn down
Meaning: to refuse an offer or a person
turn DOWN transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: She turned down the job offer from Denver.
In conversation: Don't turn down help when you need it.
Common partners: turn down an offer · turn down an invitation
⚠️ Common mistake: Turn down also lowers volume (music) — turn down the TV. Both are 'make less'.
A He turned down the promotion.
B More money, though! Why?
split up
Meaning: to end a relationship or divide into smaller groups
split UP intransitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: The band split up in 2019.
In conversation: Let's split up and search different streets.
Common partners: split up after years · split up into groups
⚠️ Common mistake: For couples, split up = break up. For groups, split up = divide to work faster.
A The class will split up into pairs.
B Okay — who's with me?
settle down
Meaning: to start living a calm, stable life (often marry, buy a home)
SET-tle DOWN intransitive intransitive — no object
Example: After years of travel, he settled down in Maine.
In conversation: She wants to settle down and start a family.
Common partners: settle down in a town · settle down and marry
⚠️ Common mistake: Settle down also calms a noisy room: Settle down, class! Two meanings again.
A When will you settle down?
B Maybe never — I love moving.
get together
Meaning: to meet socially
get to-GETH-er intransitive intransitive — no object
Example: We get together every Sunday at Grandma's.
In conversation: Let's get together this weekend.
Common partners: get together with friends · a get-together (noun, party)
⚠️ Common mistake: A get-together (with hyphens) is the party itself: a family get-together.
A Let's get together on Saturday.
B Your place or mine?
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