What do phrasal verbs mean?

It is sometimes possible to get an idea of the meaning of a multi-part verb from its particle, because some particles are associated with areas of meaning, for example:

ON – touching/ attaching/ starting/ continuing / progressing

I wish you wouldn’t put on so much lipstick! He went on talking as if nothing had happened.

UP–an upward movement/ an increase/ an improvement/ completing/ ending/ approaching

We left early, just as the sun was coming up. Sales have gone up in the past year. We used up all the

eggs when we made the cake. A taxi drew up just as we were thinking of calling one.

DOWN –a downward movement/ a decrease/ completing/ ending/ stopping

The teacher told the pupils to sit down. That music is too loud! Turn it down. Business was so bad that

the shop had to close down.

IN/INTO –an inward movement/ including/ being involved

The spectators poured into stadium. We’d better let her into the secret.

OFF –movement away/ detaching/ preventing entry/ separating/ not including

We set off at midday. They’ve fenced off their garden to keep dogs out.

AWAY –continuous activity

The secretary kept typing away, ignoring the noise outside.

BACK–returning / reference to past time

I’ve given back the tools I borrowed. This photo brings back memories of when I was young.

TROUGH –completing/ doing thoroughly

I need to think this through before I decide.

OUT –an outward movement/ not being inside/ excluding/ completing/ doing thoroughly

Let’s eat out this evening. The double glazing helps to shut out the noise. It took me hours to clean

out that room.