Phrasal Verb 'Be'
We have 36 phrasal verb definitions related to 'Be'.
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Be after
-
Meaning: Try to find or get
Example: The police ARE AFTER him because of the theft.
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
- Inseparable
-
Be along
-
Meaning: Arrive
Example: The next bus should BE ALONG in the next quarter of an hour or so.
Notes:
- Intransitive
- International English
- Intransitive
-
Be away
-
Meaning: Be elsewhere; on holiday, etc.
Example: She's AWAY on business for three weeks.
Notes:
- Intransitive
- International English
- Intransitive
-
Be cut out for
-
Meaning: Be suitable, have the necessary qualities
Example: She's not CUT OUT FOR this kind of work.
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
- Inseparable
-
Be cut up
-
Meaning: Be upset
Example: She was very CUT UP about coming second as she thought she deserved to win.
Notes:
- Intransitive
- International English
- Intransitive
-
Be down
-
Meaning: Be depressed
Example: He's BEEN DOWN since his partner left him.
Notes:
- Intransitive
- International English
- Intransitive
-
Be down
-
Meaning: Be reduced or less
Example: The firm's profits ARE DOWN by ten percent this quarter.
Notes:
- Intransitive
- International English
- Intransitive
-
Be down on
-
Meaning: Have negative feelings toward someone
Example: After the argument, James is DOWN ON his boss.
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
- Inseparable
-
Be down with
-
Meaning: Be ill
Example: Gul is DOWN WITH some bug and is off work today.
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
- Inseparable
-
Be fed up
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Meaning: Be bored, upset or sick of something
Example: I AM FED UP of his complaints.
Notes:
- Intransitive
- International English
- Intransitive
-
Be in
-
Meaning: Be at home or at work
Example: They ARE never IN; I always get their answerphone.
Notes:
- Intransitive
- International English
- Intransitive
-
Be in
-
Meaning: Be submitted, arrive
Example: The application form must BE IN by 3pm on Friday.
Notes:
- Intransitive
- International English
- Intransitive
-
Be in on
-
Meaning: Be involved in
Example: Susan was the only one who WASN'T IN ON the plan.
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
- Inseparable
-
Be into
-
Meaning: Like
Example: I AM INTO classical music.
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
- Inseparable
-
Be not on
-
Meaning: Be unacceptable
Example: The way he's behaving IS just NOT ON.
Notes:
- Intransitive
- International English
- Intransitive
-
Be off
-
Meaning: Be bad (of food)
Example: This yoghurt must BE OFF; it smells foul.
Notes:
- Intransitive
- International English
- Intransitive
-
Be off
-
Meaning: Depart, leave
Example: I'm OFF home; it's five o'clock.
Notes:
- Intransitive
- International English
- Intransitive
-
Be on
-
Meaning: Be functioning (of machines)
Example: The computer IS ON.
Notes:
- Intransitive
- International English
- Intransitive
-
Be on
-
Meaning: Take place
Example: The show IS ON for the next three months.
Notes:
- Intransitive
- International English
- Intransitive
-
Be on
-
Meaning: Take medication or drugs, especially when they affect the person badly
Example: He IS ON anti-depressants and has become very difficult to please.
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
- Inseparable
-
Be on
-
Meaning: Be at the top of one’s game, performing very well
Example: He IS really ON right now- three goals in five minutes!
Notes:
- Inseparable
- American English
- Inseparable
-
Be on about
-
Meaning: Mean, try to say
Example: I couldn't understand what he WAS ON ABOUT- it made no sense.
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
- Inseparable
-
Be onto
-
Meaning: Pursue, be aware of someone's true nature
Example: He's being very careful because he thinks the police ARE ONTO him.
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
- Inseparable
-
Be out
-
Meaning: Be absent from a place
Example: She IS OUT on a visit for the day.
Notes:
- Intransitive
- International English
- Intransitive
-
Be out of
-
Meaning: Have no more left
Example: We're OUT OF coffee so I'll have to go and get some.
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
- Inseparable
-
Be out to
-
Meaning: Attempt
Example: She IS OUT TO get him sacked because she hates him.
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
- Inseparable
-
Be snowed under
-
Meaning: Have too much work
Example: We're completely SNOWED UNDER at work because it's the end of the tax year.
Notes:
- Intransitive
- International English
- Intransitive
-
Be taken aback
-
Meaning: Be shocked or surprised
Example: I WAS TAKEN ABACK when I saw him because he's lost all his hair.
Notes:
- Intransitive
- International English
- Intransitive
-
Be taken with
-
Meaning: Like something
Example: I WAS very TAKEN WITH the performance- it was superb.
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
- Inseparable
-
Be to do with
-
Meaning: Be connected with
Example: He said the meeting IS TO DO WITH a complaint.
Notes:
- Intransitive
- International English
- Contributed By: Steve
- Intransitive
-
Be up
-
Meaning: Be out of bed
Example: She's not UP yet.
Notes:
- Intransitive
- International English
- Intransitive
-
Be up
-
Meaning: Have increased or risen
Example: The company's profits ARE UP by fifteen percent.
Notes:
- Intransitive
- International English
- Intransitive
-
Be up
-
Meaning: When the time for something finishes or expires
Example: Time's UP, please finish your drinks and leave.
Notes:
- Intransitive
- International English
- Intransitive
-
Be up for
-
Meaning: Be enthusiastic about an upcoming event
Example: ARE you UP FOR the climb of Mt. Blanc?
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
- Inseparable
-
Be up to
-
Meaning: Be good enough
Example: He's not UP TO the job; get someone else.
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
- Inseparable
-
Be up to
-
Meaning: Doing something naughty or wrong
Example: What are those kids UP TO?
Notes:
- Inseparable
- International English
- Inseparable
