Let’s look at some phrasal verbs for arguments, with the verbs be, get, let, have, and make.
Read through the phrasal verbs and the examples. For each one, come up with your own sentence, to try using the phrasal verb in context.
Be over = to be recovered from
I don’t need an apology for what happened. I understand, and I’m over it.
Be on about = to speak at length about something trivial
Are you on about that again?
Be on someone’s case/back about = to nag, to criticize
The neighbour is always on my case about the tree in my yard. He says I have to cut it back.
Get rid of = discard something unpleasant, eliminate
She danced with the guy once, then couldn’t get rid of him all evening.
Get over = recover, recuperate
It took a long time for Judy to get over her ex.
Are you still complaining about that? It happened weeks ago. Get over it already.
Get over yourself! = Stop being conceited or self-centered
Let someone down = disappoint, fail someone
Don’t count on Juan when you need help. He will let you down.
Let up = stop, become less intensely critical
Please stop asking. I said no, so just let up.
Could you let up on the kids a little? It feels like all you do is yell at them.
Have something on someone = have evidence of wrongdoing
I wouldn’t tell June anything private if I were you. If she has something on you, she will try to use it against you. She’s a blackmailer.
To blackmail someone is to threaten to reveal private, compromising information if demands aren’t met. Learn and review more crime vocabulary with crime flashcards.
Have at someone = attack
The boys had at each other until the teacher broke up the fight.
Make up = invent/resolve a conflict
Tom will never change. He always just makes up excuses for his behaviour.
A couple had a fight, but then they made up.
Make out that/as if = pretend, fake
Jerry loves playing the victim. He’ll do something mean, then make out as if the other person is to blame. He makes out that he is innocent.
Try the quiz!
Conversation Activity
What were the people talking about? Add context, by inventing the scenarios in the quiz.
