Lesson One
Note: (S) stands for Separable, meaning that the verb and preposition can be separated by a word or string of words, usually the object of the sentence; for example: "Get that lazy bum up!" Or "I couldn't wake her up" where the words in bold are the objects of the phrasal verbs get up and wake up.
Wake up (S)
To awaken from a state of sleep.
Get up (S)
To rise from a bed; to make someone arise (from bed, a couch, the floor, etc.) (must be separated for the second meaning)
To get up does NOT mean exactly the same thing as to wake up. Getting up means that you get out of bed.
Put on (S)
To put something (usually clothes) on one's body.
Take off (S)
(1) to remove something (usually clothes) from one's body; (2) to leave (slang) ; (3) To achieve wide use or popularity (slang); (4) To rise into the air or begin flight; to depart (said of a flying vehicle)
Turn on (S)
(1) to start or cause to function (usually said of a machine or electrical system. Also: to switch on) (2) to be or make some become interested, excited, or stimulated by something (slang usually used with 'to'; i.e. to turn (someone) on to something). (3) To excite or become excited sexually (slang)
Turn off (S)
(1) to cause to stop functioning (usually said of a machine or electrical system. Also: to switch off) (2) to affect with dislike, displeasure, or revulsion
Sit down (S)eparable when talking about making someone else be seated)
to be seated (also: to take a seat, to have a seat)
Lie down
(1) To place oneself in a horizontal position; to recline (2) to do little or nothing.
Stand up
(1) To rise from a sitting or lying position (also: get up).
(2) To remain sound, durable, valid.
(3) informal: To fail to keep a date with ((S) always place the object of the verb between the verb and the preposition: to stand someone up)
Put away (S)
to remove from sight, to put in the proper place.
Wake up (S)
To awaken from a state of sleep.
- I usually wake up at 7.
- The siren woke me up way too early.
- I tried to wake him up but he was sleeping like a rock. (to sleep like a rock = deep asleep and unable to be awoken by others)
Get up (S)
To rise from a bed; to make someone arise (from bed, a couch, the floor, etc.) (must be separated for the second meaning)
To get up does NOT mean exactly the same thing as to wake up. Getting up means that you get out of bed.
- I woke up at 8 but didn't get up until 8:30.
- I always get up and jump straight into the shower.
- It's time to get up!
- I couldn't get her up! She's hiding under her blankets and refuses to move!
- Get up! You're sitting on my notebook!
Put on (S)
To put something (usually clothes) on one's body.
- Don't forget to put on your coat, it's cold outside.
- Could you help me put my necklace on?
- Let's put on our thinking caps. (extra expression: to put on one's thinking cap: a figurative expression signifying that one is thinking carefully about something, usually with marked concentration)
Take off (S)
(1) to remove something (usually clothes) from one's body; (2) to leave (slang) ; (3) To achieve wide use or popularity (slang); (4) To rise into the air or begin flight; to depart (said of a flying vehicle)
- I took off my sweater because it was too hot. (1)
- -"Where are your sunglasses?" - "I took them off." (1)
- I never take my ring off, even when I go swimming.(1)
- He took off in a hurry. (2)
- I'm taking off! See you later! (2)
- That book really took off! (3)
- The plane took off on time. (4)
- The shuttle took off without incident.(4)
Turn on (S)
(1) to start or cause to function (usually said of a machine or electrical system. Also: to switch on) (2) to be or make some become interested, excited, or stimulated by something (slang usually used with 'to'; i.e. to turn (someone) on to something). (3) To excite or become excited sexually (slang)
- Please turn on the light for me (1)
- Did you turn the air conditioning on? It's freezing in here! (1)
- Do you mind if I switch on the TV? (1)
- My cousin turned me on to Judo when I was twelve. (2)
- Judy turned on to sewing this winter (2)
- Intelligence and wit in a woman turn me on (3)
Turn off (S)
(1) to cause to stop functioning (usually said of a machine or electrical system. Also: to switch off) (2) to affect with dislike, displeasure, or revulsion
- He turned off the computer and went to bed. (1)
- Please turn the TV off and go do your homework. (1)
- I switched off the light so the baby could sleep easier. (1)
- Heavy metal really turns me off. (2)
- She gets turned off by materialism and overconsumption. (2)
Sit down (S)eparable when talking about making someone else be seated)
to be seated (also: to take a seat, to have a seat)
- I sat down at the kitchen table to study English.
- Please, take a seat.
- Please, have a seat, there's an empty chair next to Joshua.
- I sat the baby down in her high chair and fed her.
Lie down
(1) To place oneself in a horizontal position; to recline (2) to do little or nothing.
- I'm tired, I'm going to lie down for an hour or so. (1)
- You can lie down on my bed if you need to rest. (1)
- Jack's often lying down on the job. (2)
Stand up
(1) To rise from a sitting or lying position (also: get up).
(2) To remain sound, durable, valid.
(3) informal: To fail to keep a date with ((S) always place the object of the verb between the verb and the preposition: to stand someone up)
- He stood up and answered the door. (1) (extra expression: to answer the door = to go to the door to see who is there after hearing the doorbell or a knock)
- Are you going to watch TV all day or are you going get up and help me with the cleaning? (1)
- His testimony will never stand up in court (2)
- She stood me up last night. (3)
Put away (S)
to remove from sight, to put in the proper place.
- Please put away your books for the quiz.
- -"Where are the cranberries?" -"I put them away, they're in the pantry."
- Did you put your clothes away yet?