Study Skills — Phrasal Verbs
Learning · 8 phrasal verbs · Level B1
brush up on
Meaning: to quickly improve a skill you learned before
brush UP on transitive inseparable — the object stays after the whole verb
Example: I brush up on my Spanish before every trip.
In conversation: Brush up on the rules before the exam.
Common partners: brush up on grammar · brush up on skills
⚠️ Common mistake: Brush up ON the subject: brush up on your French, not 'brush up your French' (that also works in US speech — but ON is the safe form).
A Brush up on the safety rules.
B Before the lab exam? Absolutely.
keep up with
Meaning: to stay at the same level or speed as others
keep UP with transitive inseparable — the object stays after the whole verb
Example: It's hard to keep up with native speakers.
In conversation: She reads daily to keep up with the news.
Common partners: keep up with the class · keep up with technology
⚠️ Common mistake: Keep up with A PERSON (match them) or keep up with THE NEWS (stay informed). Both use with.
A I can't keep up with this lecture.
B Ask him to slow down — everyone feels it.
work through
Meaning: to deal with something step by step until it is solved
work THROUGH transitive inseparable — the object stays after the whole verb
Example: Let's work through this math problem together.
In conversation: She worked through her fear of flying.
Common partners: work through a problem · work through feelings
⚠️ Common mistake: Work through = slow, complete, step-by-step. Not fast like 'look over'.
A Work through the questions one by one.
B Okay — number one first.
read up on
Meaning: to read a lot about a subject to learn it
read UP on transitive inseparable — the object stays after the whole verb
Example: Read up on the company before your interview.
In conversation: He read up on local history.
Common partners: read up on a topic · read up before the trip
⚠️ Common mistake: Read up ON a subject: read up on taxes before April.
A Read up on the museum first.
B Good idea — the tour will mean more.
sum up
Meaning: to say the main points briefly
sum UP transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Sum up the article in three sentences.
In conversation: To sum up, practice beats talent.
Common partners: sum up the main points · to sum up (concluding)
⚠️ Common mistake: 'To sum up' is a perfect essay phrase — it introduces your conclusion.
A Sum up the story for me.
B A girl, a key, a storm — done.
catch on
Meaning: to understand something after some time / become popular
catch ON intransitive intransitive — no object
Example: The game is tricky, but you'll catch on.
In conversation: The song caught on quickly across the country.
Common partners: catch on fast · catch on to the idea
⚠️ Common mistake: Catch on TO how something works: She caught on to the system in a day.
A Kids catch on to the game in minutes.
B Adults need the instructions.
jot down
Meaning: to write something quickly
jot DOWN transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Jot down the address before you forget it.
In conversation: She jotted down notes during the call.
Common partners: jot down a number · jot down ideas
⚠️ Common mistake: Jot down is faster and more casual than write down — a quick note, not an essay.
A Jot down the wifi password.
B It's on the fridge — 'sunshine42'.
hand back
Meaning: to return something to its owner
hand BACK transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: The teacher handed back the exams on Friday.
In conversation: Hand back my pen when you're done.
Common partners: hand back homework · hand back with comments
⚠️ Common mistake: Hand back = RETURN to the owner; hand in = GIVE to authority; hand out = GIVE to a group. The direction trio!
A Hand back the books, please.
B Mine has a blue cover.
Practice
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