Phrasal verbs exercise

Complete the following sentences using an appropriate phrasal verb.

1. The speeding motorist was ………………… by the traffic cop.

a) pulled over

b) pulled in

c) pulled down

d) pulled off

e) pulled through

2. Although he lived with them for well over two years, he never really ………………….. his roommates.

a) took to

b) took after

c) took on

d) took up

e) took out

3. I know you have had a bad day, but you can’t ……………………… me.

a) take it out on

b) took up

c) take to

d) take after

e) take off

4. They offered him an excellent job in the US, but he ……………………. because he did not want to leave India.

a) turned it off

b) turned it down

c) turned it out

d) Turn it up

e) turned it on

Answers

1. pulled over

To pull over is to ask a motorist to stop. To pull somebody in is to arrest them for breaking law. To pull something down is to demolish it. To pull something off is to manage to do it in spite of difficulties. To pull through is to come successfully through trouble.

2. took to

To take to somebody is to like them. When you take after somebody you resemble them. To take on people is to employ them. To take something up is to start doing it as a hobby. To take something out is to apply for it and get it.

3. take it out on

To take it out on somebody is to be rude to them because you are upset for some reason. To take up is to start doing something as a hobby, or to accept a new job. To take to somebody is to like them. To take after somebody is to resemble them. To take something off is to remove it.

4. turned it down

To turn something off is to switch it off. To turn something down is to refuse to accept it. Turn out is an inseparable phrasal verb. Turn up is an inseparable phrasal verb. To turn up is to arrive. To turn something on is to switch it on.