📚 B2 Level · Phrasal Verbs
🏅⚽ 14 Essential Phrasal Verbs
for Hobbies, Sport & Games
Complete B2 Level English Grammar Tutorial
Master 14 essential phrasal verbs used in hobbies, sport, and games — with definitions, grammar notes, authentic examples, and usage tips.
🎯 Introduction
Whether you are a passionate athlete, a dedicated gamer, or someone who enjoys creative hobbies in your free time, phrasal verbs are an essential part of expressing yourself naturally in English. Native speakers use phrasal verbs constantly when talking about their leisure activities, sporting events, and competitive games.
If you want to sound fluent and confident at a B2 level, mastering these expressions is absolutely vital. In this tutorial, you will explore 14 essential phrasal verbs drawn from everyday English, all presented within the rich context of hobbies, sport, and games.
Each phrasal verb is explained clearly, used in authentic example sentences, and discussed in terms of its grammatical behaviour and common usage patterns. By the end of this tutorial, you will not only understand these phrasal verbs — you will be ready to use them actively and accurately in your own speaking and writing.
📘 What Is a Phrasal Verb?
Before diving into the individual verbs, it is worth briefly reviewing what a phrasal verb is. A phrasal verb is a combination of a main verb and one or more particles — either a preposition, an adverb, or both — that together create a meaning that is often quite different from the individual words on their own.
For example, the verb go means to move from one place to another. But go off means to stop liking something — a meaning that cannot be guessed simply from knowing the word go. This is what makes phrasal verbs both challenging and fascinating for English learners.
At B2 level, you are expected to understand and use a wide range of phrasal verbs in context, including in both formal and informal situations. Let's get started.
📗 The 14 Phrasal Verbs: Definitions, Examples & Usage Notes
1
📅
Bring Forward
Change the date/time of an event so it happens earlier
📌 Meaning: To move an event to an earlier date or time than originally planned.
💬 Examples in Context
- The football club decided to bring forward the training session because of the bad weather forecast later in the week.
- Our coach brought forward the match preparation meeting to Monday instead of Wednesday.
🔷 Grammar Note: This is a separable phrasal verb. You can say bring the meeting forward or bring forward the meeting. When using a pronoun, it must go between the verb and the particle: bring it forward ✅ / bring forward it ❌
💡 Usage Tip: In the world of sport and hobbies, schedules often change. You might hear this phrasal verb when a sports event is rescheduled, or when a club meeting is moved to an earlier date due to unforeseen circumstances.
2
🏃
Carry On
Continue doing something, especially after an interruption or difficulty
📌 Meaning: To continue doing something, especially after an interruption or difficulty.
💬 Examples in Context
- Despite injuring his ankle, the athlete decided to carry on training until the end of the season.
- She carried on painting even after her art class ended, because she was so absorbed in her work.
🔷 Grammar Note: Carry on is an intransitive phrasal verb when used alone, but it can be followed by a gerund: carry on + -ing → carry on running, carry on playing.
💡 Usage Tip: This phrasal verb is extremely common in sport and hobby contexts. It conveys persistence and determination — qualities that are highly valued in competitive and recreational activities alike.
3
⏳
Get Round To
Finally do something after a long delay
📌 Meaning: To finally do something that you have been intending to do for a long time, often after a delay.
💬 Examples in Context
- I've always wanted to learn chess, but I've never got round to taking a proper course.
- She finally got round to joining the local swimming club after talking about it for two years.
🔷 Grammar Note: This phrasal verb is always followed by a noun or a gerund: get round to something / get round to doing something. It is never followed by an infinitive.
💡 Usage Tip: Many people have hobbies or sports they dream of trying but keep putting off. This phrasal verb perfectly captures that experience of finally acting on a long-held intention.
4
🤔
Get Up To
Do something; be involved in a particular activity
📌 Meaning: To do something, often something surprising, mischievous, or unexpected; to be involved in a particular activity.
💬 Examples in Context
- What do you usually get up to at the weekends? Do you play any sports?
- The children got up to all sorts of mischief during the summer sports camp.
🔷 Grammar Note: Get up to is typically followed by a noun or noun phrase. It is commonly used in questions and informal conversation.
💡 Usage Tip: This phrasal verb is often used to ask about someone's leisure activities or hobbies in a casual, friendly way. It can also imply mild disapproval when someone is doing something they perhaps shouldn't be.
5
🏆
Go In For
Enter a competition; enjoy or be interested in an activity
📌 Meaning: To enter a competition or event; to enjoy or be interested in a particular activity.
💬 Examples in Context
- She decided to go in for the regional gymnastics championship after months of intensive training.
- He doesn't really go in for team sports — he prefers individual activities like cycling and hiking.
🔷 Grammar Note: Go in for is always followed by a noun or gerund. It has two distinct meanings that are both relevant to the topic of hobbies and sport.
💡 Usage Tip: This is a particularly useful phrasal verb in the context of competitive sport. It can refer both to the act of entering a competition and to expressing a general preference or interest in a type of activity.
6
😕
Go Off
Stop liking something or someone you previously enjoyed
📌 Meaning: To stop liking something or someone that you previously enjoyed.
💬 Examples in Context
- I used to love playing video games, but I've completely gone off them since I started university.
- He went off football after his team lost the championship three years in a row.
🔷 Grammar Note: Go off is followed by a noun or gerund. It is commonly used in informal British English.
💡 Usage Tip: Interests and hobbies naturally evolve over time. This phrasal verb is perfect for describing a change in enthusiasm or passion for a sport, game, or recreational activity.
7
🙌
Join In
Participate in an activity or game that is already taking place
📌 Meaning: To participate in an activity or game that is already taking place.
💬 Examples in Context
- Everyone was playing volleyball on the beach, so we decided to join in.
- Don't be shy — join in the game and you'll have a great time!
🔷 Grammar Note: Join in can be used without an object (join in = participate) or with one (join in the fun / join in the game). It is an intransitive or semi-transitive phrasal verb.
💡 Usage Tip: This phrasal verb is ideal for describing spontaneous participation in group activities, team sports, or community games. It often carries a positive, encouraging tone.
8
🥊
Knock Out
Defeat and eliminate from a competition; make unconscious
📌 Meaning: To defeat and eliminate someone from a competition; to make someone unconscious.
💬 Examples in Context
- The defending champions were knocked out of the tournament in the quarter-finals.
- The boxer knocked out his opponent in the third round with a powerful left hook.
🔷 Grammar Note: This is a separable phrasal verb. You can say knock out the team or knock the team out. With a pronoun: knock them out ✅ / knock out them ❌
💡 Usage Tip: Knock out is widely used in competitive sport — particularly in boxing, football, tennis, and other tournament-based games. It is also the origin of the noun knockout and the adjective knockout round.
9
⚠️
Look Out
Be careful or watchful; pay attention to potential danger
📌 Meaning: To be careful or watchful; to pay attention to potential danger.
💬 Examples in Context
- Look out! The ball is coming straight at you!
- Cyclists should always look out for pedestrians when riding in busy areas.
🔷 Grammar Note: Look out is often used as an imperative warning. It can also be followed by for + noun: look out for something.
💡 Usage Tip: In sport and outdoor activities, safety is paramount. This phrasal verb is frequently used to warn players, athletes, or participants about potential hazards or dangers during a game or activity.
10
🚪
Pull Out
Stop being involved in an activity, competition, or event
📌 Meaning: To stop being involved in an activity, competition, or event, often unexpectedly.
💬 Examples in Context
- The star player had to pull out of the tournament due to a knee injury.
- Several athletes pulled out of the race at the last minute because of the extreme heat.
🔷 Grammar Note: Pull out is typically followed by of + noun: pull out of a competition / pull out of a race. It is an intransitive phrasal verb in this context.
💡 Usage Tip: Injuries, personal reasons, or logistical problems often cause athletes or participants to withdraw from events. This phrasal verb is the natural way to express that withdrawal in English.
11
⏰
Put Off
Delay or postpone something; cause someone to lose interest
📌 Meaning: To delay or postpone something; to cause someone to lose interest or enthusiasm.
💬 Examples in Context
- The bad weather put off many spectators from attending the outdoor concert.
- He keeps putting off signing up for the marathon — he's been talking about it for months.
🔷 Grammar Note: Put off is a separable phrasal verb. It can mean to postpone (put off the match) or to discourage (the cold weather put me off). When followed by a verb, use the gerund: put off doing something.
💡 Usage Tip: In sport and hobbies, procrastination is common! This phrasal verb captures both the act of delaying participation and the loss of motivation caused by external factors.
12
💪
Put Up With
Tolerate something unpleasant or difficult without complaining
📌 Meaning: To tolerate something unpleasant or difficult without complaining.
💬 Examples in Context
- Professional athletes have to put up with intense pressure, media scrutiny, and physical pain.
- I don't know how she puts up with such a demanding training schedule every single day.
🔷 Grammar Note: Put up with is always followed by a noun, pronoun, or gerund. It cannot be separated. You cannot say put it up with ❌ — it must be put up with it ✅
💡 Usage Tip: Sport and competitive games often involve hardship — tough opponents, difficult conditions, and demanding coaches. This phrasal verb is essential for discussing the mental resilience required in athletic life.
13
❤️
Take To
Begin doing something as a habit; start liking naturally
📌 Meaning: To begin doing something as a habit; to start liking someone or something naturally.
💬 Examples in Context
- She took to swimming immediately and won her first competition within six months.
- He took to playing chess as a child and never stopped — now he's a national champion.
🔷 Grammar Note: Take to is followed by a noun or gerund: take to something / take to doing something. It suggests a natural affinity or the beginning of a regular habit.
💡 Usage Tip: This phrasal verb beautifully describes the beginning of a lifelong passion for a sport or hobby. It implies that the person adapted quickly and naturally to the new activity.
14
🎯
Take Up
Start a new hobby, sport, or activity; occupy time or space
📌 Meaning: To start a new hobby, sport, or activity; to occupy a certain amount of time or space.
💬 Examples in Context
- After retiring from work, she decided to take up gardening and yoga.
- His new hobby of model-building takes up most of his free time at the weekends.
🔷 Grammar Note: Take up is a separable phrasal verb. It can be followed by a noun (take up tennis) or a gerund (take up playing tennis). It also has a second meaning related to space or time.
💡 Usage Tip: This is perhaps the most commonly used phrasal verb when discussing hobbies. It is the natural way to say that someone has started a new leisure activity or sport.
📌 Quick Reference Summary Table
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Bring forward | Move to an earlier time | They brought forward the match. |
| Carry on | Continue | She carried on training. |
| Get round to | Finally do sth after a delay | He got round to joining the club. |
| Get up to | Be involved in an activity | What do you get up to at weekends? |
| Go in for | Enter/like a competition or activity | She went in for the championship. |
| Go off | Stop liking | He went off football. |
| Join in | Participate | Everyone joined in the game. |
| Knock out | Eliminate from a competition | They were knocked out in round two. |
| Look out | Be careful | Look out for the ball! |
| Pull out | Withdraw from an activity | She pulled out of the race. |
| Put off | Delay; discourage | He put off signing up. |
| Put up with | Tolerate | Athletes put up with a lot. |
| Take to | Start as a habit; like naturally | She took to swimming instantly. |
| Take up | Start a new hobby/sport | He took up cycling last year. |
🏁 Conclusion
These 14 phrasal verbs are not just vocabulary items — they are the building blocks of natural, fluent English in the context of hobbies, sport, and games. At B2 level, your goal is not simply to recognise these expressions when you hear or read them, but to use them confidently and accurately in your own communication.
Notice how many of these phrasal verbs reflect the emotional journey of a sports person or hobbyist: the excitement of taking up a new activity, the dedication required to carry on through difficulties, the disappointment of going off something you once loved, and the resilience needed to put up with the challenges that come with any competitive pursuit.
Focus not just on getting the right answer in the exercises, but on understanding why each phrasal verb is used in its particular context. That deeper understanding is what will truly elevate your English to the next level.
✏️ Exercise 1 of 8
Multiple Choice
Choose the correct phrasal verb (A, B, or C) to complete each sentence. Read each sentence carefully and select the option that best fits the meaning and grammar of the sentence.
📌 Example — How to answer this exercise
She ______ tennis when she was just five years old and never stopped playing.
✅
Answer: B) took to — "Took to" means to start something as a natural habit, which fits the context perfectly.
Questions answered: 0 / 10
1
The football club decided to ______ the training session because of the storm warning.
✅ Correct Answer: B) bring forward
The sentence describes moving the training session to an earlier time due to a storm — bring forward means to change the date/time of an event so it happens earlier.
2
Despite the freezing temperatures, the marathon runners ______ running until the very end.
✅ Correct Answer: A) carried on
Carry on means to continue doing something despite difficulty. The runners continued running despite the freezing temperatures — showing persistence and determination.
3
The top-seeded tennis player was ______ of the competition in the second round.
✅ Correct Answer: C) knocked out
Knock out means to defeat and eliminate someone from a competition. The phrase knocked out of is the standard construction used in tournament contexts.
4
I used to love playing basketball, but I've completely ______ it since I hurt my shoulder.
✅ Correct Answer: A) gone off
Go off means to stop liking something you previously enjoyed. The speaker used to love basketball but no longer does — a change in enthusiasm caused by an injury.
5
After years of thinking about it, she finally ______ learning how to paint watercolours.
✅ Correct Answer: B) got round to
Get round to means to finally do something after a long delay. The key clue is "after years of thinking about it" — she had been planning to do it for a long time before actually doing it.
6
The children saw the other kids playing in the park and immediately wanted to ______.
✅ Correct Answer: C) join in
Join in means to participate in an activity that is already happening. The children wanted to take part in the game that other kids were already playing.
7
Professional cyclists have to ______ extreme weather conditions and physical exhaustion.
✅ Correct Answer: A) put up with
Put up with means to tolerate something unpleasant or difficult without complaining. Professional cyclists must endure extreme conditions — this is a classic use of the phrasal verb.
8
______! There's a cyclist coming around the corner at high speed!
✅ Correct Answer: B) Look out
Look out is used as an imperative warning to tell someone to be careful about an immediate danger. The exclamation mark and the urgent context confirm this is a warning phrase.
9
He decided to ______ photography after his retirement, and it quickly became his greatest passion.
✅ Correct Answer: C) take up
Take up means to start a new hobby, sport, or activity. He began photography after retiring — this is the most natural and common phrasal verb for starting a new leisure activity.
10
The star striker had to ______ the championship match due to a serious hamstring injury.
✅ Correct Answer: A) pull out of
Pull out of means to withdraw from or stop being involved in an event, often unexpectedly. The injury forced the striker to withdraw — pull out of is always followed by the preposition of in this context.
✏️ Exercise 2 of 8
Fill in the Blank
Complete each sentence with the correct phrasal verb from the word box below. Use each phrasal verb once only. Make sure to use the correct form of the verb.
📦 Word Box — Choose from these phrasal verbs
bring forward
carry on
get round to
get up to
go in for
go off
join in
knock out
look out
pull out
📌 Example — How to answer this exercise
I've been meaning to try yoga for years, but I've never ____________ booking a class.
✅
Answer: got round to — The sentence describes finally doing something after a long delay. "Get round to" is always followed by a gerund (booking).
Questions answered: 0 / 10
1
The coach decided to ____________ the team meeting because several players had a conflict on the original date.
✅ Correct Answer: bring forward
The coach moved the meeting to an earlier date because of a scheduling conflict. Bring forward means to change the date/time of an event so it happens earlier than originally planned.
2
She used to love playing video games, but she has completely ____________ them since starting her new job.
✅ Correct Answer: gone off
She no longer enjoys video games the way she used to. Go off means to stop liking something you previously enjoyed. Note the present perfect form: has gone off.
3
The young swimmer managed to ____________ the defending champion in the semi-finals of the regional competition.
✅ Correct Answer: knock out
The young swimmer defeated and eliminated the defending champion from the competition. Knock out means to defeat and remove someone from a competition. Here it is used in the base form after managed to.
4
What do you usually ____________ during the summer holidays? Do you play any outdoor sports?
✅ Correct Answer: get up to
This is a casual question asking about someone's activities during the holidays. Get up to means to do or be involved in a particular activity — it is commonly used in informal questions about leisure time.
5
Even after spraining his wrist, the tennis player decided to ____________ competing until the end of the set.
✅ Correct Answer: carry on
Despite the injury, the player continued competing. Carry on means to continue doing something, especially after a difficulty or interruption. It is followed here by the gerund competing.
6
____________! The puck is heading straight towards you — move to the side!
✅ Correct Answer: Look out
This is an urgent warning about an immediate danger — a puck heading towards someone. Look out is used as an imperative to warn someone to be careful. It is capitalised here as it starts the sentence.
7
He has decided to ____________ the local photography contest this year for the very first time.
✅ Correct Answer: go in for
He is entering a competition for the first time. Go in for means to enter a competition or event. It is followed directly by the noun phrase the local photography contest.
8
The experienced climber had to ____________ of the expedition after developing altitude sickness.
✅ Correct Answer: pull out
The climber withdrew from the expedition due to illness. Pull out means to stop being involved in an activity or event, often unexpectedly. Note that it is followed by of + noun: pull out of the expedition.
9
The whole family ____________ the board game and they ended up playing until midnight.
✅ Correct Answer: joined in
The whole family participated in the board game together. Join in means to participate in an activity that is already taking place. The past simple form joined in is used here to describe a completed past event.
10
She finally ____________ registering for the half-marathon after months of hesitation.
✅ Correct Answer: got round to
After months of hesitation, she finally did something she had been intending to do. Get round to means to finally do something after a long delay. It is followed by the gerund registering. Past simple form: got round to.
✏️ Exercise 3 of 8
Error Correction
Each sentence below contains one mistake related to the phrasal verb. Find the mistake and write the correct sentence. One sentence is already correct — identify it too!
📌 How to do this exercise: Read each sentence carefully. Find the one mistake involving the phrasal verb — it could be a wrong particle, a wrong preposition, a wrong verb form, or an extra/missing word. Then write the corrected sentence. Note: one sentence has no error — you must identify it as correct.
📌 Example — How to answer this exercise
She took up to swimming after her doctor recommended regular exercise.
✅
Corrected: She took to swimming after her doctor recommended regular exercise.
The correct phrasal verb is "take to", not "take up to". "Take to" means to start something naturally as a habit.
The correct phrasal verb is "take to", not "take up to". "Take to" means to start something naturally as a habit.
Questions answered: 0 / 10
1
The athletics club decided to bring the competition forward to next Saturday instead of the following week.
🔍 Find the error — or confirm it is correct
This sentence is CORRECT — No error
✔ Explanation
"Bring forward" is used correctly here as a separable phrasal verb: bring the competition forward. The object "the competition" is correctly placed between the verb and the particle. No changes needed.
2
Despite the heavy rain, the cyclists carried on to ride through the mountain pass without stopping.
🔍 Find the error and correct the sentence
Error found — Wrong verb form after "carry on"
✏️ Corrected Sentence
Despite the heavy rain, the cyclists carried on riding through the mountain pass without stopping.
Carry on must be followed by a gerund (-ing form), not an infinitive. "Carried on to ride" ❌ → "carried on riding" ✅. This is a fixed grammar rule for this phrasal verb.
3
She's been meaning to get round joining the local tennis club, but she keeps forgetting.
🔍 Find the error and correct the sentence
Error found — Missing preposition "to"
✏️ Corrected Sentence
She's been meaning to get round to joining the local tennis club, but she keeps forgetting.
The correct phrasal verb is get round to — the preposition to is an essential part of the verb and cannot be omitted. "Get round joining" ❌ → "get round to joining" ✅.
4
The young boxer was knocked out from the tournament after losing his second fight.
🔍 Find the error and correct the sentence
Error found — Wrong preposition: "from" should be "of"
✏️ Corrected Sentence
The young boxer was knocked out of the tournament after losing his second fight.
Knock out in a competition context is always followed by the preposition of, not from. The correct fixed expression is "knocked out of" a competition, tournament, or event.
5
He completely went off of football after his favourite team was relegated last season.
🔍 Find the error and correct the sentence
Error found — Extra preposition: "of" must be removed
✏️ Corrected Sentence
He completely went off football after his favourite team was relegated last season.
Go off is followed directly by its object — no preposition is needed. "Went off of football" ❌ → "went off football" ✅. Adding of is a common learner error, often influenced by American English informal usage.
6
Look out to the ball — it's coming directly at your head!
🔍 Find the error and correct the sentence
Error found — Wrong preposition: "to" should be "for"
✏️ Corrected Sentence
Look out for the ball — it's coming directly at your head!
When look out is followed by an object (something specific to watch for), the correct preposition is for, not to. "Look out for" = be watchful/careful about something specific. "Look out to" ❌ → "Look out for" ✅.
7
The injured sprinter had to pull out from the national championships at the last minute.
🔍 Find the error and correct the sentence
Error found — Wrong preposition: "from" should be "of"
✏️ Corrected Sentence
The injured sprinter had to pull out of the national championships at the last minute.
Pull out when used to mean withdrawing from an event is always followed by the preposition of. "Pull out from" ❌ → "pull out of" ✅. This is a fixed collocation that must be memorised.
8
I don't know how professional athletes put up the enormous pressure of international competition.
🔍 Find the error and correct the sentence
Error found — Missing particle: "with" is required
✏️ Corrected Sentence
I don't know how professional athletes put up with the enormous pressure of international competition.
Put up with is a three-part phrasal verb — all three words are essential and inseparable. Omitting with completely changes or destroys the meaning. "Put up the pressure" ❌ → "put up with the pressure" ✅.
9
After retiring, she took up to painting and discovered she had a real talent for it.
🔍 Find the error and correct the sentence
Error found — Extra preposition: "to" must be removed
✏️ Corrected Sentence
After retiring, she took up painting and discovered she had a real talent for it.
Take up means to start a new hobby or activity and is followed directly by its object — no preposition is needed. "Took up to painting" ❌ → "took up painting" ✅. Do not confuse this with take to, which has a different meaning.
10
Several competitors joined in to the fun run despite not having registered in advance.
🔍 Find the error and correct the sentence
Error found — Extra preposition: "to" must be removed
✏️ Corrected Sentence
Several competitors joined in the fun run despite not having registered in advance.
Join in can be followed directly by a noun object without any preposition. "Joined in to the fun run" ❌ → "joined in the fun run" ✅. Adding to here is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect.
✏️ Exercise 4 of 8
Sentence Transformation
Rewrite each sentence using the phrasal verb given in brackets. Do not change the meaning. You may need to change the form of the verb.
📌 How to do this exercise: Read the original sentence carefully. Then rewrite it using the phrasal verb shown in brackets — keeping the same meaning. You may need to change the tense or form of the verb, but do not change the overall meaning of the sentence.
📌 Example — How to answer this exercise
Original: She started playing chess regularly after moving to the city.
🔑 Phrasal verb to use: take to
✅
Answer: She took to playing chess after moving to the city.
Questions answered: 0 / 10
1
📄 Original Sentence
The team continued practising even though it was raining heavily.
carry on
✍️ Rewrite using the phrasal verb above
✅ Transformed Sentence
The team carried on practising even though it was raining heavily.
Carry on = to continue doing something. It is followed by a gerund (-ing form): carry on practising. The past simple form carried on matches the tense of the original sentence.
2
📄 Original Sentence
The organisers moved the sports day to an earlier date because of the weather forecast.
bring forward
✍️ Rewrite using the phrasal verb above
✅ Transformed Sentence
The organisers brought forward the sports day because of the weather forecast.
Bring forward = to move an event to an earlier date or time. It is a separable phrasal verb: brought forward the sports day or brought the sports day forward are both correct.
3
📄 Original Sentence
He was eliminated from the tennis tournament in the first round.
knock out
✍️ Rewrite using the phrasal verb above
✅ Transformed Sentence
He was knocked out of the tennis tournament in the first round.
Knock out of = to eliminate someone from a competition. The passive form was knocked out of is used here to match the passive structure of the original sentence. Note the essential preposition of.
4
📄 Original Sentence
She finally started going to the gym after planning to do so for over a year.
get round to
✍️ Rewrite using the phrasal verb above
✅ Transformed Sentence
She finally got round to going to the gym after over a year of planning.
Get round to = to finally do something after a long delay. It is followed by a gerund: got round to going. The past simple form got round to is used to match the tense of the original.
5
📄 Original Sentence
The injured athlete withdrew from the race just before it began.
pull out
✍️ Rewrite using the phrasal verb above
✅ Transformed Sentence
The injured athlete pulled out of the race just before it began.
Pull out of = to withdraw from an event or activity, often unexpectedly. Always followed by the preposition of + noun. Past simple form: pulled out of.
6
📄 Original Sentence
He stopped enjoying cycling after he had a bad accident on the road.
go off
✍️ Rewrite using the phrasal verb above
✅ Transformed Sentence
He went off cycling after he had a bad accident on the road.
Go off = to stop liking something you previously enjoyed. It is followed directly by a noun or gerund — no preposition is needed. Past simple form: went off.
7
📄 Original Sentence
The children participated in the football game that was already happening in the park.
join in
✍️ Rewrite using the phrasal verb above
✅ Transformed Sentence
The children joined in the football game in the park.
Join in = to participate in an activity that is already taking place. It can be followed directly by a noun object: joined in the game. No preposition is needed between join in and the object.
8
📄 Original Sentence
She began painting as a hobby when she retired from her teaching career.
take up
✍️ Rewrite using the phrasal verb above
✅ Transformed Sentence
She took up painting when she retired from her teaching career.
Take up = to start a new hobby or activity. It is followed directly by a noun or gerund: took up painting. Past simple form: took up. No preposition is needed.
9
📄 Original Sentence
You need to be careful about slippery surfaces when ice skating.
look out
✍️ Rewrite using the phrasal verb above
✅ Transformed Sentence
You need to look out for slippery surfaces when ice skating.
Look out for = to be careful or watchful about something specific. When followed by an object, for is required: look out for + noun. This is the standard construction for expressing caution about a specific hazard.
10
📄 Original Sentence
I really cannot tolerate the noise and chaos of large sporting events.
put up with
✍️ Rewrite using the phrasal verb above
✅ Transformed Sentence
I really cannot put up with the noise and chaos of large sporting events.
Put up with = to tolerate something unpleasant without complaining. It is a three-part inseparable phrasal verb — the object always comes after with: put up with + noun. It cannot be separated or reordered.
✏️ Exercise 5 of 8
Matching
Match each sentence in Column A with the correct meaning or context description in Column B. Each option in Column B is used once only.
📌 How to do this exercise: Read each sentence in Column A carefully and identify the phrasal verb being used. Then match it with the correct meaning or context description from Column B. Focus on the meaning of the phrasal verb in context — not just its general definition.
📋 Column A — Sentences
- 1. She carried on swimming even after her goggles broke.
- 2. He took up rock climbing after watching a documentary.
- 3. The star player pulled out of the final due to injury.
- 4. They brought forward the match to avoid the storm.
- 5. She went off tennis after losing several matches in a row.
- 6. The crowd joined in the victory chant spontaneously.
- 7. Our team was knocked out of the cup in the quarter-finals.
- 8. Look out for wet patches on the running track!
- 9. He finally got round to signing up for the chess club.
- 10. Athletes must put up with intense scrutiny from the media.
💡 Column B — Meanings
- A. To tolerate something difficult or unpleasant without complaining.
- B. To be careful about a specific potential danger.
- C. To start a new hobby or sport for the first time.
- D. To finally do something after a long delay.
- E. To stop liking something previously enjoyed.
- F. To continue doing something despite a difficulty.
- G. To move an event to an earlier date or time.
- H. To withdraw from a competition or event unexpectedly.
- I. To be defeated and eliminated from a competition.
- J. To participate in an activity that is already happening.
📌 Example — How to answer this exercise
Column A: "She took to gymnastics immediately and won her first medal within a year."
Column B options: A. To stop liking something | B. To start doing something naturally as a habit
✅
Answer: B — "Take to" means to start doing something naturally as a habit or to begin liking something immediately. The sentence shows she adapted naturally and quickly.
Questions answered: 0 / 10
1
She carried on swimming even after her goggles broke.
Sentence 1
→
🔗 Which Column B option matches?
✅
Sentence 1
→
F — To continue doing something despite a difficulty.
Carry on means to continue doing something, especially after an interruption or difficulty. Here, the broken goggles represent the difficulty — yet she continued swimming regardless, demonstrating persistence.
2
He took up rock climbing after watching a documentary.
Sentence 2
→
🔗 Which Column B option matches?
✅
Sentence 2
→
C — To start a new hobby or sport for the first time.
Take up means to start a new hobby, sport, or activity. The documentary inspired him to begin rock climbing — an activity he had not done before. This is the most natural and common phrasal verb for starting a new leisure pursuit.
3
The star player pulled out of the final due to injury.
Sentence 3
→
🔗 Which Column B option matches?
✅
Sentence 3
→
H — To withdraw from a competition or event unexpectedly.
Pull out of means to stop being involved in an event, often unexpectedly. The player did not lose — they withdrew before competing due to injury. This distinguishes it from knock out (I), which implies defeat in competition.
4
They brought forward the match to avoid the storm.
Sentence 4
→
🔗 Which Column B option matches?
✅
Sentence 4
→
G — To move an event to an earlier date or time.
Bring forward means to reschedule an event so it happens earlier than originally planned. The storm was the reason for moving the match to an earlier time slot. Do not confuse with put forward (to suggest an idea) — a common learner confusion.
5
She went off tennis after losing several matches in a row.
Sentence 5
→
🔗 Which Column B option matches?
✅
Sentence 5
→
E — To stop liking something previously enjoyed.
Go off means to lose interest in or stop enjoying something you previously liked. The repeated losses caused a change in her attitude towards tennis. This phrasal verb captures the emotional shift from enthusiasm to indifference or dislike.
6
The crowd joined in the victory chant spontaneously.
Sentence 6
→
🔗 Which Column B option matches?
✅
Sentence 6
→
J — To participate in an activity that is already happening.
Join in means to become part of an activity that is already taking place. The victory chant was already happening, and the crowd spontaneously began participating. The word spontaneously reinforces the unplanned, immediate nature of joining an ongoing activity.
7
Our team was knocked out of the cup in the quarter-finals.
Sentence 7
→
🔗 Which Column B option matches?
✅
Sentence 7
→
I — To be defeated and eliminated from a competition.
Knock out of means to defeat and eliminate a team or player from a tournament. Unlike pull out of (H), which describes a voluntary withdrawal, knocked out of describes an involuntary elimination as a result of losing. The passive form was knocked out of is standard in sport reporting.
8
Look out for wet patches on the running track!
Sentence 8
→
🔗 Which Column B option matches?
✅
Sentence 8
→
B — To be careful about a specific potential danger.
Look out for means to watch carefully for a specific hazard or danger. Here, the wet patches on the track represent a concrete physical danger to runners. The imperative form reinforces the urgency of the warning.
9
He finally got round to signing up for the chess club.
Sentence 9
→
🔗 Which Column B option matches?
✅
Sentence 9
→
D — To finally do something after a long delay.
Get round to means to eventually do something you have been intending to do for a long time. The adverb finally is a strong contextual clue — it signals that the action was delayed and has now been completed after a period of procrastination.
10
Athletes must put up with intense scrutiny from the media.
Sentence 10
→
🔗 Which Column B option matches?
✅
Sentence 10
→
A — To tolerate something difficult or unpleasant without complaining.
Put up with means to endure or tolerate something unpleasant without complaining. Media scrutiny is an unavoidable and often uncomfortable part of professional sport — athletes must accept and endure it. This is a three-part inseparable phrasal verb.
✏️ Exercise 6 of 8
Context Gap Fill
Read each short passage carefully. Fill in the gaps with the correct phrasal verb from the options provided. Each passage contains two gaps — choose the most appropriate phrasal verb for each one.
📌 How to do this exercise: Each question presents a short paragraph with two numbered gaps. Below each passage you will find four phrasal verb options — choose the two that best complete the passage. Pay close attention to meaning in context, grammar (verb form), and the surrounding words (prepositions, objects, etc.).
📌 Example — How to answer this exercise
Marcus had always wanted to try surfing. Last summer, he finally (1) ___________ booking a lesson at the local beach school. He loved it immediately and decided to (2) ___________ surfing as his main weekend hobby.
✅
(1) got round to — He had been intending to book a lesson for a long time and finally did it.
(2) take up — He decided to start surfing as a new regular hobby.
(2) take up — He decided to start surfing as a new regular hobby.
Passages answered: 0 / 5
1
Despite twisting her ankle at the halfway point, Elena refused to stop. She 1 ___________ running and eventually crossed the finish line to a huge round of applause. Her coach later said he had never seen anyone 2 ___________ such physical pain with such determination and grace.
✍️ Choose the correct phrasal verb for gap (1) and gap (2)
1carried on
2put up with
Despite twisting her ankle at the halfway point, Elena refused to stop. She carried on running and eventually crossed the finish line to a huge round of applause. Her coach later said he had never seen anyone put up with such physical pain with such determination and grace.
💡 Why these answers?
- Gap (1) — carried on: Elena continued running despite the injury. Carry on = to continue doing something despite a difficulty. Followed by the gerund running.
- Gap (2) — put up with: The coach admired her ability to endure/tolerate extreme physical pain. Put up with = to tolerate something unpleasant without complaining. It is a three-part inseparable phrasal verb.
2
Daniel had been thinking about joining the school chess club for months. He finally 1 ___________ registering last Tuesday. Unfortunately, just two weeks later, he had to 2 ___________ the regional tournament because of a family emergency.
✍️ Choose the correct phrasal verb for gap (1) and gap (2)
1got round to
2pull out of
Daniel had been thinking about joining the school chess club for months. He finally got round to registering last Tuesday. Unfortunately, just two weeks later, he had to pull out of the regional tournament because of a family emergency.
💡 Why these answers?
- Gap (1) — got round to: Daniel had been intending to register for months and finally did it. Get round to = to finally do something after a long delay. Followed by the gerund registering. Past simple: got round to.
- Gap (2) — pull out of: He had to withdraw from the tournament unexpectedly due to a family emergency. Pull out of = to withdraw from an event. The modal had to + base form pull out of is the correct structure here.
3
Jake used to be passionate about football, but after his team lost ten games in a row, he completely 1 ___________ the sport. His friends tried to convince him to stay, but he had made up his mind. Luckily, his neighbour invited him to try badminton, and Jake immediately 2 ___________ it — he was a natural from the very first session.
✍️ Choose the correct phrasal verb for gap (1) and gap (2)
1went off
2took to
Jake used to be passionate about football, but after his team lost ten games in a row, he completely went off the sport. His friends tried to convince him to stay, but he had made up his mind. Luckily, his neighbour invited him to try badminton, and Jake immediately took to it — he was a natural from the very first session.
💡 Why these answers?
- Gap (1) — went off: Jake stopped enjoying football after the losing streak. Go off = to stop liking something you previously enjoyed. The adverb completely intensifies the loss of interest. Followed directly by the noun the sport — no preposition needed.
- Gap (2) — took to: Jake naturally and immediately enjoyed badminton. Take to = to naturally start liking or doing something with ease. The clue "he was a natural" confirms this meaning. Followed by the object pronoun it.
4
The school had originally planned Sports Day for the last Friday of term, but due to the extreme heat forecast, the headteacher decided to 1 ___________ it to the previous Wednesday. The students were delighted — especially when the teachers agreed to 2 ___________ the egg-and-spoon race alongside their pupils.
✍️ Choose the correct phrasal verb for gap (1) and gap (2)
1bring forward
2join in
The school had originally planned Sports Day for the last Friday of term, but due to the extreme heat forecast, the headteacher decided to bring forward it to the previous Wednesday. The students were delighted — especially when the teachers agreed to join in the egg-and-spoon race alongside their pupils.
💡 Why these answers?
- Gap (1) — bring forward: The headteacher moved Sports Day to an earlier date. Bring forward = to reschedule an event to an earlier time. The phrase "to the previous Wednesday" confirms the event moved earlier. Used after decided to in base form.
- Gap (2) — join in: The teachers participated in the race that was already happening. Join in = to participate in an activity that is already taking place. The phrase "alongside their pupils" confirms they joined an existing activity.
5
It was one of the biggest upsets in the history of the competition. The top-seeded team was 1 ___________ the championship by a group of young, unknown players from a small town. The referee warned both teams to 2 ___________ dangerous tackles during the second half, as the match had already seen two players receive yellow cards.
✍️ Choose the correct phrasal verb for gap (1) and gap (2)
1knocked out of
2look out for
It was one of the biggest upsets in the history of the competition. The top-seeded team was knocked out of the championship by a group of young, unknown players from a small town. The referee warned both teams to look out for dangerous tackles during the second half, as the match had already seen two players receive yellow cards.
💡 Why these answers?
- Gap (1) — knocked out of: The top-seeded team was eliminated from the championship. Knock out of = to defeat and eliminate a team/player from a competition. The passive form was knocked out of is standard in sports reporting. The preposition of is essential.
- Gap (2) — look out for: The referee warned players to be careful about dangerous tackles. Look out for = to be watchful about a specific hazard or danger. The context of yellow cards and a physical warning confirms the need for caution about a specific risk.
✏️ Exercise 7 of 8
True or False
Read each statement about the meaning or use of a phrasal verb. Decide whether it is TRUE or FALSE. If it is false, write the correct version of the statement.
📌 How to do this exercise: Each statement makes a claim about the meaning, grammar, or usage of a phrasal verb from this unit. Decide whether the statement is TRUE ✅ or FALSE ❌. If the statement is false, identify the error and write the corrected statement. This exercise tests your deeper understanding of how each phrasal verb works.
📌 Example — How to answer this exercise
Statement: "Take up" is always followed by a preposition before its object. For example: "She took up to painting."
❌
FALSE — "Take up" is followed directly by its object — no preposition is needed. The correct sentence is: "She took up painting." Adding to is a common learner error.
Questions answered: 0 / 10
1
"Carry on" must always be followed by a gerund (-ing form) when it is used with another verb.
✅ TRUE
❌ FALSE
🤔 Is this statement true or false?
Carry on is always followed by a gerund (-ing form) when used with another verb: "carry on running", "carry on playing", "carry on competing". You cannot say "carry on to run" ❌ or "carry on run" ❌. This is a fixed grammatical rule for this phrasal verb.
2
"Pull out of" and "knock out of" have the same meaning — both describe a player leaving a competition.
✅ TRUE
❌ FALSE
🤔 Is this statement true or false?
✏️ Corrected Statement
"Pull out of" and "knock out of" are different in meaning. "Pull out of" means to voluntarily withdraw from a competition (e.g. due to injury), while "knock out of" means to be defeated and eliminated by an opponent.
The key difference is agency: pull out of is a voluntary decision to leave (e.g. "She pulled out of the race due to illness"), whereas knock out of describes an involuntary elimination caused by losing to an opponent (e.g. "They were knocked out of the tournament in the semi-finals").
3
"Get round to" is always followed by a gerund (-ing form) or a noun phrase, never by a bare infinitive.
✅ TRUE
❌ FALSE
🤔 Is this statement true or false?
Get round to is always followed by a gerund (-ing form) or a noun phrase: "I got round to fixing the bike" ✅ / "She got round to the paperwork" ✅. You cannot say "I got round to fix the bike" ❌. The preposition to in this phrasal verb functions as a preposition (not part of an infinitive), which is why it is followed by a gerund.
4
"Go off" in the context of hobbies and sports means to become more enthusiastic about an activity over time.
✅ TRUE
❌ FALSE
🤔 Is this statement true or false?
✏️ Corrected Statement
"Go off" in the context of hobbies and sports means to stop liking or lose enthusiasm for an activity — the opposite of becoming more enthusiastic.
Go off describes a decrease in enthusiasm or interest, not an increase. Example: "She used to love swimming, but she went off it after the accident." It implies a change from positive to negative feelings about an activity. The opposite meaning (becoming more enthusiastic) would be expressed by phrasal verbs like take to or get into.
5
"Put up with" is a three-part phrasal verb and its object must always come after the particle with — it cannot be separated.
✅ TRUE
❌ FALSE
🤔 Is this statement true or false?
Put up with is a three-part inseparable phrasal verb. The object always follows with: "I can't put up with the noise" ✅. You cannot separate it: "I can't put the noise up with" ❌ or "I can't put up the noise with" ❌. This is one of the most important grammatical features of three-part phrasal verbs — they are always inseparable.
6
"Bring forward" is an inseparable phrasal verb — the object must always come after the full phrasal verb.
✅ TRUE
❌ FALSE
🤔 Is this statement true or false?
✏️ Corrected Statement
"Bring forward" is a separable phrasal verb. The object can be placed between the verb and the particle or after the full phrasal verb. Both "bring forward the meeting" and "bring the meeting forward" are correct.
Bring forward is a two-part separable phrasal verb. This means the noun object can go either after the particle ("bring forward the match") or between the verb and particle ("bring the match forward"). However, if the object is a pronoun, it must go between the verb and particle: "bring it forward" ✅ — never "bring forward it" ❌.
7
"Join in" can be used both with and without a direct object. For example, both "Everyone joined in" and "Everyone joined in the celebration" are grammatically correct.
✅ TRUE
❌ FALSE
🤔 Is this statement true or false?
Join in is flexible in its use. It can be used without an object (intransitively): "Everyone joined in" ✅ — meaning everyone participated. It can also be used with a direct object: "Everyone joined in the celebration" ✅ — specifying what activity they participated in. Both structures are grammatically correct and commonly used in natural English.
8
"Look out" and "look out for" have exactly the same meaning and can always be used interchangeably.
✅ TRUE
❌ FALSE
🤔 Is this statement true or false?
✏️ Corrected Statement
"Look out" and "look out for" have different uses. "Look out!" is used as a general warning of immediate danger (no object), while "look out for" means to watch carefully for a specific thing (requires an object).
Look out! (no object) = a sudden, general warning: "Look out! There's a car coming!" ✅ — used as an imperative in urgent situations. Look out for + object = to be watchful about something specific: "Look out for icy patches on the road" ✅ — used to advise caution about a known hazard. They cannot always be used interchangeably because look out alone cannot take a direct object.
9
"Take up" and "take to" are interchangeable when talking about starting a new hobby or sport.
✅ TRUE
❌ FALSE
🤔 Is this statement true or false?
✏️ Corrected Statement
"Take up" and "take to" have different nuances and are not interchangeable. "Take up" simply means to start a new hobby or activity, while "take to" emphasises naturally liking or adapting to something immediately.
Take up = to begin a new hobby or activity (neutral): "She took up yoga last year." ✅ — no implication about how naturally it came to her. Take to = to naturally start liking or doing something with ease: "She took to yoga immediately — she was a natural." ✅ — implies an instant affinity or talent. Using take to when you simply mean starting an activity (without the natural affinity meaning) would be misleading.
10
"Go in for" means to enter or participate in a competition or organised event, and it is always followed by a noun phrase.
✅ TRUE
❌ FALSE
🤔 Is this statement true or false?
Go in for means to enter or take part in a competition, contest, or organised event: "She went in for the national gymnastics championship" ✅ / "Are you going in for the photography contest?" ✅. It is always followed by a noun phrase naming the event or competition. It is a three-part phrasal verb and the preposition for is essential — you cannot say "go in the competition" ❌ or "go in to the competition" ❌.
✏️ Exercise 8 of 8
Multiple Choice
Choose the one correct answer (A, B, C or D) that best completes each sentence. Only one option is grammatically correct and appropriate in context.
📌 How to do this exercise: Read each sentence carefully and select the one option (A, B, C or D) that correctly completes it. The distractors test common learner errors — wrong particles, wrong prepositions, wrong verb forms, and confusion between similar phrasal verbs. Think carefully before revealing the answer!
📌 Example — How to answer this exercise
After years of playing casually, she decided to ____________ competitive swimming.
A. go off
B. take up
C. pull out of
D. carry on to
✅
Answer: B — take up — She decided to start competitive swimming as a new serious pursuit. Take up = to start a new hobby or sport. Options A, C, and D are wrong in meaning or grammar.
Questions answered: 0 / 10
1
The coach told the players to ____________ training even though the weather conditions were getting worse.
🔘 Choose the correct option: A, B, C or D
The coach told the players to carry on training even though the weather conditions were getting worse.
💡 Why the other options are wrong
- B — carry on to: Carry on is followed directly by a gerund — no preposition to is needed. ❌ carry on to training ✅ carry on training
- C — carry out: Carry out means to perform or execute a task (e.g. carry out an experiment) — it does not mean to continue an activity. Wrong meaning entirely.
- D — carry on with to: This is a double-preposition construction that does not exist in English grammar. Completely ungrammatical.
2
Due to a knee injury, the top-ranked player had to ____________ the championship at the last minute.
🔘 Choose the correct option: A, B, C or D
Due to a knee injury, the top-ranked player had to pull out of the championship at the last minute.
💡 Why the other options are wrong
- A — pull out from: The correct preposition after pull out when withdrawing from an event is of, not from. ❌ pull out from ✅ pull out of
- C — pull out: Without the preposition of, the sentence is incomplete — pull out alone cannot take a direct object (the championship) in this context.
- D — knock out of: Knock out of means to be eliminated by defeat — the player chose to withdraw voluntarily due to injury, not because they lost.
3
The school decided to ____________ the sports day because of the storm warning issued for that afternoon.
🔘 Choose the correct option: A, B, C or D
The school decided to bring forward the sports day because of the storm warning issued for that afternoon.
💡 Why the other options are wrong
- B — bring forwards to: The standard form is bring forward (not forwards), and adding to is unnecessary and ungrammatical in this context.
- C — put forward: Put forward means to suggest or propose an idea or plan — it does not mean to reschedule an event to an earlier date. Wrong meaning.
- D — take forward: Take forward means to make progress with a plan or project — it has no scheduling meaning and is incorrect here.
4
After years of playing video games professionally, he suddenly ____________ them and switched to outdoor sports instead.
🔘 Choose the correct option: A, B, C or D
After years of playing video games professionally, he suddenly went off them and switched to outdoor sports instead.
💡 Why the other options are wrong
- A — went off of: Go off takes its object directly — no preposition of is needed or correct in standard British English. ❌ went off of them ✅ went off them
- B — took off: Take off means to remove clothing, or for a plane to leave the ground, or for something to become suddenly successful. It does not mean to stop liking something.
- D — got off: Get off has various meanings (to leave a vehicle, to escape punishment) but none of them match the meaning of losing interest in a hobby.
5
She had been meaning to enter the local 5K run for months, and she finally ____________ signing up last week.
🔘 Choose the correct option: A, B, C or D
She had been meaning to enter the local 5K run for months, and she finally got round to signing up last week.
💡 Why the other options are wrong
- A — got round signing: The preposition to is an essential part of this phrasal verb and cannot be omitted. ❌ get round signing ✅ get round to signing
- B — got around to sign: Get around to is the American English variant and is acceptable, but it must be followed by a gerund, not a bare infinitive. ❌ got around to sign ✅ got around to signing
- D — got round to sign: The preposition to in get round to is a preposition (not part of an infinitive), so it must be followed by a gerund (-ing), not a bare infinitive. ❌ got round to sign
6
The underdog team managed to ____________ the defending champions in a dramatic penalty shootout.
🔘 Choose the correct option: A, B, C or D
The underdog team managed to knock out the defending champions in a dramatic penalty shootout.
💡 Why the other options are wrong
- B — knock out from: When knock out is used with a direct object (the person/team eliminated), no preposition is needed between the verb and the object. Of is only used when specifying the competition: "knocked out of the tournament".
- C — pull out of: Pull out of describes a voluntary withdrawal — the underdog team did not withdraw; they actively defeated the champions. Wrong meaning.
- D — bring forward: Bring forward means to reschedule to an earlier time. Completely unrelated to defeating an opponent in a match.
7
When the DJ started playing the team's anthem, the entire stadium crowd ____________ the singing.
🔘 Choose the correct option: A, B, C or D
When the DJ started playing the team's anthem, the entire stadium crowd joined in the singing.
💡 Why the other options are wrong
- A — joined in to: Join in can take a direct object without any preposition. Adding to is unnecessary and ungrammatical. ❌ joined in to the singing ✅ joined in the singing
- B — joined into: "Join into" is not a standard phrasal verb in English. This construction does not exist and is completely incorrect.
- C — joined in with: While join in with can sometimes be heard in informal speech, the standard and correct form when followed by a direct noun object is simply join in + object (no preposition needed).
8
Professional athletes often have to ____________ enormous pressure from sponsors, coaches, and the media.
🔘 Choose the correct option: A, B, C or D
Professional athletes often have to put up with enormous pressure from sponsors, coaches, and the media.
💡 Why the other options are wrong
- A — put up: Put up (without with) has different meanings: to erect something, to accommodate someone, or to offer resistance. It cannot mean to tolerate something unpleasant on its own.
- C — put with: "Put with" is not a phrasal verb in English. This construction simply does not exist. The full three-part verb put up with is required.
- D — put up to: Put up to means to encourage or persuade someone to do something (often something mischievous): "Who put you up to this?" — completely different meaning.
9
The referee shouted at the goalkeeper to ____________ the ball that was rolling towards the open goal.
🔘 Choose the correct option: A, B, C or D
The referee shouted at the goalkeeper to look out for the ball that was rolling towards the open goal.
💡 Why the other options are wrong
- A — look out: Look out! (without for) is a general warning with no direct object. Since the sentence specifies a particular object (the ball), look out for + object is required.
- B — look out to: "Look out to" is not a standard phrasal verb. The correct preposition when specifying what to watch for is for, not to. ❌ look out to ✅ look out for
- D — look after: Look after means to take care of someone or something (e.g. "She looks after the children"). It does not mean to be watchful for a danger or hazard.
10
My younger brother ____________ skateboarding naturally — within a week he could already do basic tricks.
🔘 Choose the correct option: A, B, C or D
My younger brother took to skateboarding naturally — within a week he could already do basic tricks.
💡 Why the other options are wrong
- A — took up: Take up simply means to start a new hobby — it carries no implication of natural ability or immediate affinity. The key clue here is the word naturally, which signals take to (natural ease/liking) is required.
- C — took on: Take on means to accept a challenge, hire an employee, or compete against someone. It does not describe starting a hobby naturally. Wrong meaning entirely.
- D — took after: Take after means to resemble a parent or relative in appearance or character (e.g. "She takes after her mother"). Completely unrelated to starting or enjoying a sport.
