Phrasal Verbs With 'Be'

Be after phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Try to find or get
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: The police ARE AFTER him because of the theft.

Be along phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Arrive
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: The next bus should BE ALONG in the next quarter of an hour or so.

Be away phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Be elsewhere; on holiday, etc.
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: She's AWAY on business for three weeks.

Be cut out for phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Be suitable, have the necessary qualities
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: She's not CUT OUT FOR this kind of work.

Be cut up phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Be upset
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: She was very CUT UP about coming second as she thought she deserved to win.

Be down phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Be depressed
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: He's BEEN DOWN since his partner left him.
  2. Meaning: Be reduced or less
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: The firm's profits ARE DOWN by ten percent this quarter.

Be down on phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Have negative feelings toward someone
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: After the argument, James is DOWN ON his boss.

Be down with phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Be ill
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: Gul is DOWN WITH some bug and is off work today.

Be fed up phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Be bored, upset or sick of something
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: I AM FED UP of his complaints.

Be in phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Be at home or at work
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: They ARE never IN; I always get their answerphone.
  2. Meaning: Be submitted, arrive
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: The application form must BE IN by 3pm on Friday.

Be in on phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Be involved in
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: Susan was the only one who WASN'T IN ON the plan.

Be into phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Like
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: I AM INTO classical music.

Be not on phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Be unacceptable
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: The way he's behaving IS just NOT ON.

Be off phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Be bad (of food)
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: This yoghurt must BE OFF; it smells foul.
  2. Meaning: Depart, leave
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: I'm OFF home; it's five o'clock.

Be on phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Be functioning (of machines)
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: The computer IS ON.
  2. Meaning: Take place
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: The show IS ON for the next three months.
  3. Meaning: Take medication or drugs, especially when they affect the person badly
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: He IS ON anti-depressants and has become very difficult to please.
  4. Meaning: Be at the top of one’s game, performing very well
    (Inseparable | American English)
    » Example: He IS really ON right now- three goals in five minutes!

Be on about phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Mean, try to say
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: I couldn't understand what he WAS ON ABOUT- it made no sense.

Be onto phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Pursue, be aware of someone's true nature
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: He's being very careful because he thinks the police ARE ONTO him.

Be out phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Be absent from a place
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: She IS OUT on a visit for the day.

Be out of phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Have no more left
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: We're OUT OF coffee so I'll have to go and get some.

Be out to phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Attempt
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: She IS OUT TO get him sacked because she hates him.

Be snowed under phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Have too much work
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: We're completely SNOWED UNDER at work because it's the end of the tax year.

Be taken aback phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Be shocked or surprised
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: I WAS TAKEN ABACK when I saw him because he's lost all his hair.

Be taken with phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Like something
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: I WAS very TAKEN WITH the performance- it was superb.

Be to do with phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Be connected with
    (Intransitive | International English | Contributed By: )
    » Example: He said the meeting IS TO DO WITH a complaint.

Be up phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Be out of bed
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: She's not UP yet.
  2. Meaning: Have increased or risen
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: The company's profits ARE UP by fifteen percent.
  3. Meaning: When the time for something finishes or expires
    (Intransitive | International English)
    » Example: Time's UP, please finish your drinks and leave.

Be up for phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Be enthusiastic about an upcoming event
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: ARE you UP FOR the climb of Mt. Blanc?

Be up to phrasal verb

  1. Meaning: Be good enough
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: He's not UP TO the job; get someone else.
  2. Meaning: Doing something naughty or wrong
    (Inseparable | International English)
    » Example: What are those kids UP TO?

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