Each sentence given below contains an incomplete phrasal verb. Complete the expression by supplying a suitable preposition or adverb particle.

1. I hit ……………….. the idea while taking a stroll in the park.

a) out

b) on

c) about

2. Susie lost her temper when she saw her husband trying to hit ………………… her best friend.

a) out

b) with

c) on

3. The police held the protestors ………………… while the ministers left the venue.

a) out

b) back

c) on

4. Mark was very bad at his studies so his teacher held him …………….. a year.

a) back

b) out

c) for

5. Mrs. Spencer held her dog ……………….. so that we could safely cross the yard.

a) off

b) out

c) on

6. We should hold ………………. having dinner until the guests arrive.

a) off

b) off on

c) on

7. She held …………………… the hand rail as she walked down the stairs.

a) on to

b) to

c) up

8. Stop holding …………….. and tell us where you have hidden the treasure.

a) on

b) out

c) off

9. They held ……………….. against enemy attack.

a) on

b) out

c) up

10. The car accident held traffic ……………….. for several hours.

a) out

b) up

c) off

Answers

1. I hit on the idea while taking a stroll in the park. (To hit on something is to find on accident.)

2. Susie lost her temper when she saw her husband trying to hit on her best friend. (To hit on is to flirt with.)

3. The police held the protestors back while the ministers left the venue. (To hold back is to restrain.)

4. Mark was very bad at his studies so his teacher held him back a year.

5. Mrs. Spencer held her dog off so that we could safely cross the yard. (To hold somebody/something off is to restrain them.)

6. We should hold off on having dinner until the guests arrive. (To hold off on is to delay.)

7. She held on to the hand rail as she walked down the stairs. (To hold on to something is to grasp it firmly.)

8. Stop holding out and tell us where you have hidden the treasure. (When somebody holds out they refuse to give in.)

9. They held out against enemy attack. (To hold out against something is to resist it.)

10. The car accident held traffic up for several hours. (To hold up is to delay a flight or traffic.)