Common Phrasal Verbs Starting With B

 

Phrasal Verbs

1. Back down – retreat, admit defeat

   • He finally backed down after the long argument.

2. Back up – support or confirm something

   • Can you back up your claim with evidence?

3. Back away – move backward to avoid something

   • The dog backed away when the stranger approached.

4. Break down – stop working; collapse emotionally

   • The old car broke down on the highway.

5. Break in – enter by force; disturb unexpectedly

   • Burglars broke in while we were on holiday.

6. Break into – enter forcibly; start a new activity suddenly

   • They broke into the building through the window.

7. Break off – end suddenly

   • She broke off the engagement without warning.

8. Break out – start suddenly (war, disease, fire)

   • A fire broke out in the old warehouse.

9. Break through – make a breakthrough

   • The team finally broke through the enemy’s defense.

10. Bring about – cause something to happen

    • New technology has brought about big changes in education.

11. Bring back – return something; recall a memory

    • Please bring back the books to the library.

12. Bring in – introduce or earn money

    • The company brought in a new consultant.

13. Bring up – mention a topic; raise a child

    • She brought up the issue during the meeting.

14. Blow up – explode or become very angry

    • The balloon blew up and popped.

15. Blow out – burst suddenly (wind, tire, candles)

    • The candle blew out in the wind.

16. Blow over – pass without serious consequences

    • The argument will probably blow over soon.

17. Build up – increase gradually

    • She built up her confidence over time.

18. Back out – withdraw from a commitment

    • He backed out of the deal at the last minute.

19. Back up (data) – copy data for safety

    • Always back up your files regularly.

20. Brush up (on) – refresh your knowledge

    • I need to brush up on my French before the trip.

21. Burn down – be completely destroyed by fire

    • The old house burned down last night.

22. Burn out – become exhausted or stop working

    • After years of overwork, she burned out.

23. Burn up – be completely destroyed by fire

    • The papers burned up in the fire.

24. Bear out – confirm or support a statement

    • The evidence bears out his version of events.

25. Blow off – cancel or ignore something

    • We decided to blow off the meeting.

26. Blow up (a photo) – enlarge a picture

    • They blew up the photo for the poster.

27. Break away – escape or separate from something

    • The player broke away from the defenders.

28. Break up – end a relationship; separate into pieces

    • They broke up after five years together.

29. Bring forward – move a meeting or date earlier

    • They brought the meeting forward by one day.

30. Bring home – deliver something to home; make clear

    • He brought home the importance of honesty.

31. Back up traffic – cause congestion

    • The accident backed up traffic for miles.

32. Back up a claim – support an assertion

    • You need to back up your claim with facts.

33. Back up a computer – make a copy of data

    • Always back up your computer before installing new software.