A. Formation

• He fell over [fell to the ground] and hurt his knee.
• I’ll try to find out [learn/discover] the quickest way to get there.
• He didn’t like his coat, so he gave it away [gave it to someone for no money].
• If you don’t understand the meaning, look it up [find the meaning in a book/dictionary].
• Who’s going to sort out the problem? [deal with it successfully; solve it]
• He doesn’t get on with [have a good relationship with] his parents. (verb + adv. + prep.)

B. Meaning

• I didn’t wake (up) until 7 o’clock.
• She’s saving (up) for a new computer.
• Hurry (up) or we’ll be late.
• I went to lie (down) on the bed.

Sometimes an adverb adds a particular meaning to the verb. For example, back can mean return.

• I bought this jacket yesterday, but I’m going to take it back to the shop; it’s too small.
• You can look at the books, but remember to put them back on the shelf.
• They liked Greece so much they want to go back next year.

Often, the adverb or preposition changes the meaning of the verb: give up doesn’t mean the same as give, and carry on doesn’t mean the same as carry.

• My wife has decided to give up [stop] smoking.
• We’ll take a short break and then carry on [continue] with the meeting.
• The shops are going to put up [increase] the price of bread.
• When the hotel gets busy, we have to take on [employ] more staff .

C. Multiple meanings

go away

• I was busy, so I told him to go away [leave].
• We try to go away in August. [go on holiday]

Pick something /someone up

• I picked up most of the rubbish. [lifted it from the floor]
• I’m going to pick Jane up at the station. [collect someone, usually in a car]

Put something on

• Could you put the light on [make a piece of equipment work by pressing a switch; syn switch sth on]?
• I put on my best suit. [put clothes on your body]