33 Common Phrasal Verbs Starting with U | Learn English

33 Common Phrasal Verbs Starting with U

Published on: June 5, 2026 | English-learning resource for U-initial phrasal verbs.

Phrasal verbs starting with U are less common than others but still useful in everyday English. Below you will find 33 common phrasal verbs starting with U, each with a short example sentence in English.

1. Use up – consume completely
   Example: We used up all the paper.
2. Use on – apply to a person or thing
   Example: She used the cream on her skin.
3. Use for – be intended for
   Example: This room is used for studying.
4. Use in – employ in a situation or process
   Example: The machine is used in factories.
5. Use with – work together with
   Example: This tool is used with care.
6. Undo – reverse an action
   Example: Press this button to undo the mistake.
7. Unpack – remove things from luggage or boxes
   Example: I unpacked my suitcase after arriving.
8. Undergo – experience or go through
   Example: He underwent surgery last month.
9. Update – make something more current
   Example: Please update me on the situation.
10. Upgrade – improve to a better level
    Example: They upgraded the software yesterday.
11. Unwind – relax after stress
    Example: She likes to unwind with music.
12. Underline – emphasize or mark with a line
    Example: The teacher underlined the important word.
13. Uphold – support or maintain
    Example: The court upheld the decision.
14. Urge on – encourage strongly
    Example: His friends urged him on.
15. Use against – employ something as a weapon or evidence
    Example: They used the fact against him.
16. Use at – use in a particular place
    Example: This pass can be used at any station.
17. Use by – be used before a certain time
    Example: The milk must be used by Friday.
18. Use of – make use of something
    Example: He makes good use of his time.
19. Use up to – consume until a limit
    Example: The project used up to all available funds.
20. Upend – turn upside down
    Example: He upended the bucket.
21. Open up – become available; share feelings
    Example: She opened up about her worries.
22. Undo up – loosen something
    Example: He undid up his jacket before sitting down.
23. Unroll – open by rolling out
    Example: She unrolled the mat on the floor.
24. Unload – remove a load from something
    Example: They unloaded the boxes from the truck.
25. Upset by – make someone unhappy or worried
    Example: He was upset by the bad news.
26. Use over – use again
    Example: You can use the paper over for notes.
27. Understate – present something as less serious
    Example: He understated the problem.
28. Underwrite – support financially
    Example: The bank underwrote the loan.
29. Urge to – strongly encourage
    Example: The doctor urged him to rest.
30. Upper out – raise to a higher level
    Example: The coach uppered the difficulty of the exercise.
31. Use through – finish using something
    Example: We used through all the supplies.
32. Unlock – open something with a key
    Example: She unlocked the door.
33. Untie – loosen or free from a tie
    Example: He untied the rope.