Fun phrasal verbs!

The English language is riddled with fun phrasal verbs that if literally translated into your language would likely make no sense. In today’s post, we are going to explore some of the most fun phrasal verbs in English and what they mean. Then you will have to opportunity to put your knowledge to the test to see if you can remember the meanings of these strange sayings!

Beef up:

  • Beef up is a fun way of saying to become muscular. For example, if I am trying to gain muscle mass I may say that I am trying to “beef up”.

 

Wipe out:

  • Wipe out means to completely get rid of or ruin something maybe even to the point of extinction. For example, I could say that a certain species of plant was totally wiped out in an area due to construction. Meaning all of that species is gone.
  • Funnily enough you can also use the word to mean that you fell! You can say, I was running when I totally wiped out. This means I fell really hard while I was running.

 

Clam up:

  • To clam up is to become so nervous to the point that you are unable to speak. It has a similar meaning to the word “tongue tied”. However, we would say I was tongue tied, where as for clam up we would say simply I clammed up. Here is an example: I was so nervous around my new teacher I totally clammed up and couldn’t tell her any of the answers to our assignment.

 

To scarf down:

  • To scarf down means to eat food really quickly. For example you could say: I have no time to eat my breakfast this morning, I am going to scarf down some oatmeal and head out the door! Or, he must have been so hungry because he really scarfed down his dinner!

 

To chicken out:

  • To chicken out means to be scared of something to the point of not doing it. Here is an example: I was thinking of jumping into the lake, but I got scared and chickened out.

 

To butt in:

  • To butt in means to interrupt when speaking. It can be used politely when you want to make a point but feel as though you are interrupting. Here are some examples of the two usages:
    • Sorry to butt in, but I think this is not a good idea.

Don’t butt in, this conversation is none of your business!

 

Fun phrasal verbs quiz

Okay, now for the following examples try and fill in the blanks with the correct phrasal verbs!

Royal Baby Born | English Reading Exercise

On 6th May, 2019 Megan Markle, after a long, anticipated wait, gave birth to a baby boy: Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor. Archie is the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s first child. He was born at 05:26 (BST) and weighed 7lbs 3oz. Huge crowds gathered outside Buckingham Palace to welcome baby Archie into the world!

Interestingly, Prince Harry and Megan have broken the mould by choosing non-traditionally royal names to name their bouncing baby boy. The name Archie means “brave” and some sources have been quick to point out that it is a very close anagram of ‘Rachel,’ Megan’s first name. Harrison, originally used as a surname, actually means “son of Harry.” Mountbatten-Windsor is the surname created in 1960 to combine the surnames of the Queen and Prince Philip when they got married. Altogether, creating a truly unique name.

You may have already noticed that baby Archie doesn’t have an official royal title. By royal decree, only the children and grandchildren of a monarch can have a royal title. The Queen made an exception and broke this rule by giving William and Kate’s three children royal titles! Archie will therefore simply be Master. This means he will lead a privileged life but not be bound by royal duties like his cousins.

You may be wondering, if Master Archie will ever be King! Succession to the British throne is by direct bloodline, making baby Archie currently 7th in-line to the throne. After his father, his three cousins, Prince Luis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George respectively, his uncle Prince William and his grandfather Prince Charles. All after the Queen of course, who is the longest-reigning British monarch and has reigned for a whopping 67 years!

Do you know any other interesting facts about the British Royal Family? Write them in the comment box below!

Royal Baby: Vocabulary Quiz

Test your knowledge! Match the vocabulary from the article above with the definition.