Talking & Texting — Phrasal Verbs
Communication · 8 phrasal verbs · Level A2
call up
Meaning: to phone someone
call UP transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Call up the restaurant and book a table.
In conversation: I'll call you up tonight.
Common partners: call up a friend · call up the office
⚠️ Common mistake: Call up = make the call (starting point); call back = return a call. Different!
A Call up Lisa and invite her.
B I will, after lunch.
get through
Meaning: to succeed in reaching someone by phone
get THROUGH intransitive (to + object) inseparable — the object stays after the whole verb
Example: I tried all morning but I couldn't get through.
In conversation: Finally I got through to customer service.
Common partners: get through to support · can't get through
⚠️ Common mistake: Get through TO someone; the lines are busy means you can't get through.
A Did you get through to the clinic?
B Yes, after twenty minutes on hold.
cut off
Meaning: to suddenly stop a phone connection / interrupt supply
cut OFF transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Calls often cut off in this tunnel — the signal is terrible.
In conversation: The company cut off their internet for late payment.
Common partners: get cut off (call) · cut off the power
⚠️ Common mistake: In a call, use the passive: We got cut off. For people interrupting speech: Don't cut me off.
A The signal is bad — we might cut off.
B If we do, I will call you right back.
hold on
Meaning: to wait (especially on the phone)
hold ON intransitive intransitive — no object
Example: Hold on a moment — I'll check.
In conversation: Please hold on while I find your file.
Common partners: hold on a second · hold on, please
⚠️ Common mistake: On the phone it's polite and standard: 'Hold on, please.' In person it can sound abrupt — add 'a moment'.
A Hold on — I hear the doorbell.
B Okay, I'll wait here.
hang on
Meaning: to wait a short time
hang ON intransitive intransitive — no object
Example: Hang on, I'm almost ready.
In conversation: Hang on a minute — let me think.
Common partners: hang on a minute · hang on tight (hold firmly)
⚠️ Common mistake: Hang on ≠ hang up: hang on = wait; hang up = end the call. A classic mix-up!
A Hang on, my keys are inside.
B The taxi is waiting!
scroll up
Meaning: to move up on a screen to see earlier content
scroll UP intransitive & transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Scroll up to the top of the chat.
In conversation: I scrolled up and found the photo.
Common partners: scroll up to the top · scroll up slowly
⚠️ Common mistake: Pair with scroll down — direction words matter: up = earlier/higher content.
A Scroll up — the address is above.
B Got it, thanks.
zoom in
Meaning: to make an image bigger on screen / focus closer
zoom IN intransitive & transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Zoom in on the map to see street names.
In conversation: She zoomed in on the photo.
Common partners: zoom in on the map · zoom in closer
⚠️ Common mistake: Zoom in ON something: zoom in on the face, not 'zoom in the face'.
A Zoom in on that corner.
B Wow — you can read the street sign!
zoom out
Meaning: to make an image smaller to see more area
zoom OUT intransitive & transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Zoom out to see the whole city.
In conversation: The camera zoomed out slowly.
Common partners: zoom out on the map · zoom out fully
⚠️ Common mistake: Zoom in = closer detail; zoom out = wider view.
A Zoom out a bit.
B Now I can see the whole park.
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