SAT Exam Essential Vocabulary - Concrete and Physical Phrasal Verbs

Here you will learn some concrete and physical English phrasal verbs, such as "set off", "reel in", "break out", etc. that you will need to ace your SATs.

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SAT Exam Essential Vocabulary

to formally request or direct someone to perform a duty or task

Ex:

to cause something to happen, especially something undesirable or unpleasant

Ex:

to completely disappear or cease to exist

Ex: The ancient language has sadly died out over the centuries .

to prevent a building or a part of it from falling, by putting large pieces of wood or metal under or against it

Ex: The old building needs immediate attention to shore up its deteriorating structure .

to free oneself from a place that one is being held against their will, such as a prison

Ex:

to transfer something to the next generation or another person

Ex: The company 's founder passed down his ethos and values to all his successors .

to create or forcefully find a way through an obstacle or barrier

Ex: Despite efforts to control the situation , some unruly fans broke through the stadium gates .

to prepare things in anticipation of a specific purpose or event

Ex: Please set up the venue for the charity event tomorrow .

to begin doing something in order to reach a goal

Ex: The company set out on a mission to reduce its carbon footprint in the industry .

(of a computer or electronic device) to start and load the operating system into memory for use

Ex:

to become firmly attached to something or someone

Ex:

to adjust one's actions or behavior based on specific information, ideas, or advice

Ex: People should act on the health guidelines provided by medical professionals .

to expand by exploring new areas, options, or opportunities

Ex: The artist is considering branching out beyond traditional mediums .

to transfer knowledge, traditions, or skills to another person or group, often to ensure they are preserved or continued

Ex: Grandparents often pass on family histories and traditions to their grandchildren through tales and anecdotes .

(of an event) to completely sell all available tickets, seats, leaving none remaining for further purchase

Ex: Despite the rain , the outdoor festival sold out , attracting a large crowd .

to remove clothing or covering quickly or completely

Ex: In the intense heat , workers stripped off their shirts to stay cool .

to produce something quickly and in large quantities, often with a focus on quantity over quality

Ex: The studio is known for churning out blockbuster movies annually .

to manage or function without someone or something that is typically needed or desired

Ex: She had to go without her morning coffee when they ran out of beans .

to start something by turning a handle or lever

Ex: They cranked up the generator to provide power to the campsite .

to appear or come into view, often unexpectedly

Ex: Memories of their childhood would often bob up during family gatherings .

to pull or draw something in by winding it around a reel or similar device

Ex: The children squealed with delight as they reeled in their first catch of the day .

to suddenly stop an activity or an action

Ex: They decided to break off the negotiations until a later date .

to retreat or move away from something or someone, typically in response to fear or surprise

Ex: The cat cautiously drew back when it encountered an unfamiliar noise in the bushes .

to cause the death of a significant number of individuals or organisms

Ex: The war has killed off thousands of people and displaced many more .

to clean or remove something by flushing it with water or another liquid

Ex:

to remove something completely

Ex: As we stripped away the old tiles , we uncovered the original flooring beneath them .

to dominate or push aside something or someone by taking up all the available space, time, or attention

Ex: Negative thoughts can crowd out positive ones if you let them .

to gradually decrease in number, amount, or intensity over time

Ex: The demand for the product has tapered off in recent months .

to make something fuller or fluffier by shaking or adjusting it

Ex: To ensure comfort , always plump up the seat cushions after cleaning .

to distribute or divide something into smaller parts or portions for sharing

Ex: He parcelled out responsibilities among the committee members to ensure efficiency .

to watch an event or incident without getting involved

Ex: The bystanders looked on in horror as the accident unfolded before their eyes .

to repel or avoid an attack or undesirable situation

Ex: He wore garlic around his neck to ward off evil spirits .

to gradually move away or become distant, often in terms of physical distance or emotional detachment

Ex: John and his childhood friend drifted away after a disagreement about their future plans .

to take something away using a vehicle or transport method, often to remove or relocate it

Ex: He called a towing service to haul off his broken-down car from the highway .

to stop using or having something

Ex: The school board voted to do away with the traditional grading system in favor of a more comprehensive approach .

to start a significant or challenging course of action or journey

Ex: After securing funding , the organization embarked on a mission to build schools in remote areas .

to fall into pieces or separate

Ex: Their friendship began to break apart after they moved away .

to keep something in position using a structure or an object

Ex: She used books to prop up the uneven table leg .

to visit a place or someone briefly, often without a prior arrangement

Ex: While you 're in the neighborhood , why not drop by for a cup of coffee ?

to distribute something to a group of people

Ex: At the end of the seminar , they passed out informational brochures to all attendees .

to remove or separate unwanted items or elements from a group

Ex: We need to filter out the spam emails from our inbox .

to say something suddenly

Ex: Feeling overwhelmed with emotion , he blurted out his love for her .

to place individuals or objects in a line or row

Ex: The construction workers are lining up the bricks to build the new wall .

to spend much time in a specific place or with someone particular

Ex: Let 's hang out at my place and watch a movie tonight .

to stop or close off the flow or passage of something

Ex: She shut off the electricity before changing the light bulb .

(of a path or road) to split into another direction, creating a separate route

Ex: The highway branches off into smaller roads leading to nearby towns .

to fall or break into pieces as a result of being in an extremely bad condition

Ex: After the earthquake , many buildings in the city started to fall apart , posing a significant safety risk .