Fill in the blanks. This grammar exercise tests your understanding of phrasal verbs.
1. The kids broke ................................ as soon as they saw the buffoon.
Break up can mean start laughing.
2. It is a mystery how the prisoners managed to break .................................. of jail.
To break out is to escape.
3. I broke ......................................... a rash after taking a dip in the pond.
To break out in something is to develop a skin condition.
4. The news of his death brought me .....................................
If something makes you down, it makes you unhappy.
5. I don't like it when you bring ................................................ politics.
To bring a topic up is to start talking about it.
6. I called ...................................... but I could not find anyone to fix the roof.
To call around is to phone many different places / people.
7. He drew a blank when the professor called ........................................ him for question 1.
To call on somebody is to ask for an answer.
8. Although I ran faster I couldn't catch ......................................... with her.
To catch up with somebody is to get to the same point as them.
9. The company checks ....................................... all applicants before hiring.
To check somebody out is to investigate them.
10. I bought the kids some chocolates to cheer them ..........................................
To cheer somebody up is to make them happy.
11. He has come .......................................... flu.
To come down with something is to become sick.
12. If you want to lose weight, you have to cut .............................................. sweets and burgers.
To cut back on something is to consume less.
Answers
1. The kids broke up as soon as they saw the buffoon.
2. It is a mystery how the prisoners managed to break out of jail.
3. I broke out in a rash after taking a dip in the pond.
4. The news of his death brought me down.
5. I don’t like it when you bring up politics.
6. I called around but I could not find anyone to fix the roof.
7. He drew a blank when the professor called on him for question 1.
8. Although I ran faster I couldn’t catch up with her.
9. The company checks out all applicants before hiring.
10. I bought the kids some chocolates to cheer them up.
11. He has come down with flu.
12. If you want to lose weight, you have to cut back on sweets and burgers.
