33 Common Phrasal Verbs Starting with S

Published on: June 1, 2026 | English-learning resource for S-initial phrasal verbs.

Phrasal verbs starting with S are very common in everyday English. Below you will find 33 common phrasal verbs starting with S, each with a short example sentence in English.

1. Set up – arrange or establish
   Example: They set up a new company last year.
2. Set off – start a journey; trigger
   Example: We set off early in the morning.
3. Set out – start a plan or journey
   Example: She set out to become a doctor.
4. Set aside – save or reserve
   Example: He sets aside money every month.
5. Show up – arrive or appear
   Example: He didn’t show up for the meeting.
6. Show off – try to impress others
   Example: He likes to show off his new car.
7. Shut down – close; stop operating
   Example: The factory shut down in 2020.
8. Shut up – become silent; stop talking
   Example: Please shut up and listen.
9. Stick to – continue doing or following
   Example: Try to stick to the plan.
10. Stick with – continue with someone or something
    Example: I’ll stick with this team.
11. Step down – resign from a position
    Example: The CEO stepped down yesterday.
12. Step in – intervene
    Example: The teacher stepped in to stop the fight.
13. Stand out – be noticeable
    Example: Her talent really stands out.
14. Stand by – wait and be ready; support
    Example: Please stand by for further instructions.
15. Stand up – rise to your feet; defend
    Example: Please stand up when the judge enters.
16. Speak up – talk louder; express an opinion
    Example: If you disagree, speak up.
17. Speed up – move or make something faster
    Example: We need to speed up the process.
18. Split up – separate; end a relationship
    Example: The couple split up last year.
19. Sort out – organize; solve
    Example: I need to sort out my papers.
20. Start off – begin
    Example: The trip started off badly.
21. Stay up – not go to bed
    Example: I stayed up late studying.
22. Slow down – reduce speed
    Example: Please slow down near the school.
23. See off – accompany someone who is leaving
    Example: We went to the station to see him off.
24. Send back – return something
    Example: I sent back the shoes because they were too small.
25. Send for – ask someone to come; request
    Example: We sent for a doctor immediately.
26. Show around – guide someone around a place
    Example: She showed us around the city.
27. Shine through – become obvious
    Example: Her kindness shines through.
28. Speak of – mention
    Example: He spoke of his plans for the future.
29. Sleep over – stay the night at someone’s house
    Example: My friend slept over at my house.
30. Snap at – speak angrily to someone
    Example: He snapped at me for being late.
31. Slip away – leave quietly
    Example: She slipped away before the crowd noticed.
32. Sort through – examine and organize
    Example: I sorted through old photos.
33. Settle down – become calm; start a stable life
    Example: They want to settle down after years of travel.