SAT Exam Essential Vocabulary - Abstract and Mental Phrasal Verbs

to understand something, often with effort

to form the whole or a part of something

to define oneself as belonging to a particular category, group, or label

to be socially fit for or belong within a particular group or environment

to focus on something or someone as the primary subject or point of interest

to provide explanations or reasons for a particular situation or set of circumstances

to bring about a specific result

to be easily noticed, often due to being different from the surrounding elements

to officially induct someone into a position or office, typically involving an oath

to be the reason for a specific incident or result

to focus on a particular person or thing from a group in either a positive or negative manner

to use information, knowledge, or past experience to aid in performing a task or achieving a goal

to indicate that something is about to happen

to conclude by selling off or getting rid of remaining items or assets

to agree with or correspond to something

to record or note something for future reference or action

to delay the occurrence of something undesirable or threatening

to make a new interest or hobby a regular part of one's life

to completely impress someone

(of an outcome, decision, or situation) to depend entirely on a particular factor or set of circumstances

to make a situation or relationship less tense by calming emotions, resolving conflicts, etc.

(of a person) to slowly become thin and lose strength, particularly to the point of death

to become extremely upset, agitated, or overwhelmed by fear, anxiety, or excitement

to concentrate closely on a particular matter

to make something available or usable for a different purpose

to gradually stop using, producing, or providing something

to succeed or come to a favorable outcome

to suppress flames by forcefully stepping on them or using a stamping motion

to accumulate or obtain something notable, such as victories, accomplishments, or records

(of a situation or issue) to continue for a long period of time without resolution

to access or make use of a resource or source of information

to start a task, action, or process with determination and inspiration

to make something ineffective

to defend or support someone or something

to emerge as a particular outcome

to be prominent and easily noticeable

to conceal a wrongdoing, fault, or error to prevent others from finding out

to acquire a new skill or language through practice and application rather than formal instruction

to become famous and successful in a sudden and rapid manner

to consider a particular factor when planning or making arrangements

to eliminate an option or idea from consideration due to it appearing impossible to realize

to explain or resolve confusion, making something easier to understand or less ambiguous

to contact someone to get assistance or help

to keep treating someone unfairly or making unfair remarks about them

to bring forth something, often from the realm of imagination, as if by enchantment

to bring forth a memory or image, causing one to remember or think about something

to clearly and explicitly explain something

to present, propose, or offer something for consideration or action

to find something or someone unexpectedly