Phrasal Verbs – Literal and Non-literal
Phrasal verbs can have a literal or a non-literal meaning – a literal phrasal verb describes what is
actually happening, whereas a non-literal meaning is not describing what is actually happening. For
example, the phrasal verb get over is used in both of these sentences: It was difficult to get over the
garden fence and It was difficult to get over my illness. To 'get over' means to climb over something,
so in the first sentence the meaning is literal. However, in the second sentence, the meaning of 'get
over' is equal to 'recover from' or 'to get better'.
These pairs of sentences use the same phrasal verb, but one sentence is literal whereas the other is
non-literal. Select the correct phrasal verb from the box below, and then decide which sentence is
using the phrasal verb literally and which is a non-literal usage.
Ran into
Turned up
Took off
Broke down
Put out
Got on
Looked up
Hang up
1. She
the heating. / He
late for
work again.
2. The cat
the chimney. / Can you
the phone number for the restaurant?
3. You'd better
your cigarette before we get home. /
Remember to
the cat when you take out the trash.
4. You'll never guess who I
at the supermarket. / I wasn't
watching where I was going and so I
5. If you want to
a tree.
your coat there is a hook in the hallway.
/ I didn't expect him to
on me but I guess I was being
quite rude.
6. After watching that sad movie I just
and cried for
hours. / The little girl was trapped in the closet so he
the door to save her.
7. I think I was already asleep when the plane
still have your coat on but at least you
8. We
was only when I
suitcase was still at home.
. / I see you
your shoes.
with each other a lot better after the work party. / It
the bus that I remembered my