Shopping & Style — Phrasal Verbs
Shopping · 8 phrasal verbs · Level A2
try on
Meaning: to put clothes on to see if they fit or look good
try ON transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Can I try on these jeans in a smaller size?
In conversation: Try on the red dress — it looks great.
Common partners: try on shoes · try on a jacket
⚠️ Common mistake: Not: 'try on it in the store' — try it on. The pronoun goes in the middle.
A Can I try on this shirt?
B Of course — fitting rooms are over there.
shop around
Meaning: to compare prices in different stores before buying
shop a-ROUND intransitive intransitive — no object
Example: Shop around before you buy a laptop.
In conversation: We shopped around and saved two hundred dollars.
Common partners: shop around for a car · shop around online
⚠️ Common mistake: Shop around is about comparing, not just shopping: 'I shopped around for insurance.'
A This TV is expensive.
B Shop around — another store has it cheaper.
sell out
Meaning: to sell everything so nothing is left
sell OUT intransitive intransitive — no object
Example: Concert tickets sell out in minutes.
In conversation: Sorry, the blue ones sold out this morning.
Common partners: sell out fast · sold out (sign)
⚠️ Common mistake: As an adjective it's two words with no verb: The show is sold out.
A Two tickets for tonight, please.
B Sorry, we sell out every Friday.
pay for
Meaning: to give money for something
PAY for transitive inseparable — the object stays after the whole verb
Example: Let me pay for dinner tonight.
In conversation: Who paid for these flowers?
Common partners: pay for lunch · pay for a ticket
⚠️ Common mistake: Not: 'pay the dinner' — pay FOR dinner; but pay the bill / pay the waiter (person or bill takes no 'for').
A I'll pay for the coffee.
B Thanks! Next time it's on me.
line up
Meaning: to stand in a line waiting
line UP intransitive intransitive — no object
Example: People line up early for the new phone release.
In conversation: Line up here for tickets, please.
Common partners: line up for tickets · line up at the door
⚠️ Common mistake: In American English, line up is the everyday phrase; 'queue' sounds British.
A Why is everyone lining up?
B The bakery gives free bread at nine.
take back
Meaning: to return something to a store
take BACK transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: I need to take back these shoes — they're too small.
In conversation: You can take back any item within 30 days.
Common partners: take back a purchase · take back to the store
⚠️ Common mistake: Take back also means 'withdraw words': I take back what I said.
A Can I take back this jacket?
B Yes, with the receipt.
pick out
Meaning: to choose something carefully
pick OUT transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Help me pick out a gift for Mom.
In conversation: She picked out a beautiful ring.
Common partners: pick out a gift · pick out colors
⚠️ Common mistake: Pick out = choose from a group; pick up = lift or collect. Don't confuse them.
A Pick out a cake for the party.
B The chocolate one, definitely.
splash out
Meaning: to spend a lot of money on something special
splash OUT intransitive (on + object) inseparable — the object stays after the whole verb
Example: They splashed out on a huge wedding.
In conversation: Let's splash out on a nice dinner for our anniversary.
Common partners: splash out on a car · splash out for the holidays
⚠️ Common mistake: Informal — perfect for friends, too casual for a finance report.
A You bought a boat?!
B We splashed out. It's our dream.
Practice
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