Social Phrasal Verbs
Chapter in 30 Seconds
Master the phrasal verbs that make your social English sound natural, friendly, and authentic.
- Identify common social phrasal verbs.
- Apply these verbs in daily conversations.
- Improve your fluency when talking about relationships.
Was du lernen wirst
Want to chat more naturally in English? Dive into this chapter and master social phrasal verbs like 'let down' and 'look after,' so you can express yourself clearly and confidently in any conversation!
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Das Phrasal Verb: Bring UpMeistere
bring up, um Themen natürlich einzuführen, über Erziehung zu sprechen und unangenehme Stille (oder einfach nur komische Grammatik) zu vermeiden. Denk an die Schlüsselwörter:Themen,Erziehung,Vermeiden. -
Jemanden enttäuschen (Phrasalverb: Let down)Lass deine Englischkenntnisse nicht im Stich! Wenn du dieses Phrasal Verb meisterst, verstehst du, wie man
Enttäuschungdurchunerfüllte Erwartungenausdrückt. -
Sich um Dinge kümmern: 'Look after'
Look afterbedeutet, Verantwortung für die Fürsorge oder Aufsicht über jemanden oder etwas zu übernehmen. -
Wie man 'Settle Down' verwendet (Ruhig & Stabil)Mit
settle downkannst du super ausdrücken, wie du zurRuhekommst oderStabilitätin dein Leben bringst. -
Warte mal! 'Hold on' verwendenMit 'hold on' kannst du ganz natürlich und höflich um eine kurze Wartezeit bitten. Denk an die Schlüsselwörter:
Warten,kurzundhöflich. -
Ankunft & Erscheinungen: 'Show Up' verwendenMeistere
für natürliches, lockeres Reden übershow upAnkünfteundErscheinenauf Englisch.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
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1
By the end you will be able to: Use six essential social phrasal verbs to narrate personal stories and interact with friends.
Kapitel-Leitfaden
Overview
bring up, let down, look after, settle down, hold on, and show up, are used constantly in everyday interactions.How This Grammar Works
My colleague brought up an interesting point about the new project.It’s also used for raising a child:
She was brought up in a small town.If someone doesn't meet your expectations, they might let you down:
I hope you don’t let me down by being late.This verb beautifully conveys disappointment. When you take responsibility for someone or something, you look after them:
Can you look after my plants while I’m on holiday?To move from a restless state to a calm or stable one, you settle down:
After a busy year, he just wants to settle down and relax.For a brief pause in conversation or asking someone to wait, we use hold on:
Please hold on for a minute while I find that information.Finally, when someone arrives, especially in a casual way, they show up:
I hope he shows up for the party tonight.These verbs are dynamic and indispensable for social interaction!
Common Mistakes
- 1✗ Using
raiseinstead ofbring upfor topics:
He raised the issue of salaries.(While technically correct,
bring up is far more natural for topics in conversation.)He brought up the issue of salaries.
raise works for children, bring up is the go-to for introducing subjects in dialogue.- 1✗ Confusing
let downwith simplydisappoint:
I disappointed my friend because I forgot her birthday.
I let down my friend because I forgot her birthday.
Let down implies failing to meet an expectation or promise, often carrying a stronger emotional weight than just disappoint.- 1✗ Incorrect particle for
hold on:
Can you hold up a second?
Can you hold on a second?
Hold up means to delay or rob, not to wait. Hold on is correct for asking someone to pause.
Real Conversations
A
Hey, did you manage to settle down in your new apartment yet?
B
Mostly, yes! It took a few days to unpack everything. By the way, I wanted to bring up something about our weekend plans.
A
B
A
B
Quick FAQ
Are English social phrasal verbs used in formal settings?
While many phrasal verbs are informal, some, like bring up (for a topic) or hold on (as in wait), can be used in slightly more formal contexts. However, generally, they lend a more casual tone.
Can bring up only be used for people or topics?
Mostly, yes. It's primarily used for introducing a subject into discussion or for the upbringing of a child. You wouldn't typically bring up an object in the same way you'd pick up an object.
What's the main difference between show up and arrive?
Arrive is a neutral, formal verb for reaching a destination. Show up is more casual and often implies a slight element of surprise or simply making an appearance, sometimes after a delay or without much fanfare.
Is hold on just for phone calls?
No! While very common on the phone, hold on is also used in face-to-face conversations to ask someone to wait briefly, or literally to grip something firmly (e.g.,
Hold on to the railing!).
Cultural Context
look after is very common in British English, American English speakers might more frequently say take care of, though look after is still widely understood and used. These verbs are primarily informal, helping to build rapport in everyday chats.Wichtige Beispiele (8)
During the meeting, I decided to **bring up** the issue of project deadlines.
Während des Meetings habe ich beschlossen, das Thema der Projektfristen anzusprechen.
Das Phrasal Verb: Bring UpMy grandmother **brought** all five of her children **up** in a small village.
Meine Großmutter hat alle ihre fünf Kinder in einem kleinen Dorf großgezogen.
Das Phrasal Verb: Bring UpI really hope I don't `let my team down` during the presentation.
Ich hoffe wirklich, ich enttäusche mein Team während der Präsentation nicht.
Jemanden enttäuschen (Phrasalverb: Let down)My internet connection always `lets me down` when I'm streaming Netflix.
Meine Internetverbindung lässt mich immer im Stich, wenn ich Netflix streame.
Jemanden enttäuschen (Phrasalverb: Let down)My older sister always `looks after` me when our parents are out.
Meine große Schwester kümmert sich immer um mich, wenn unsere Eltern weg sind.
Sich um Dinge kümmern: 'Look after'The neighbour offered to `look after` our plants while we're on vacation.
Der Nachbar hat angeboten, unsere Pflanzen zu gießen, während wir im Urlaub sind.
Sich um Dinge kümmern: 'Look after'After the exciting news, it took me a while to `settle down`.
Nach den aufregenden Nachrichten brauchte ich eine Weile, um zur Ruhe zu kommen.
Wie man 'Settle Down' verwendet (Ruhig & Stabil)They've been traveling for years and now plan to `settle down` in Canada.
Sie reisten jahrelang und planen jetzt, sich in Kanada niederzulassen.
Wie man 'Settle Down' verwendet (Ruhig & Stabil)Tipps & Tricks (4)
Pronomen-Platzierung
bring und up. Sag zum Beispiel bring it up, niemals bring up it!Pronomen in der Mitte
He let me down.
Bleib zusammen!
look after ist ein untrennbares Phrasalverb. Das Objekt kommt IMMER NACH dem ganzen Ausdruck. Leg das Objekt nie zwischen look und after! I look after my dog.Kontext ist King
settle down hängt stark vom Kontext ab. Achte auf Hinweise, ob jemand ruhig werden oder Stabilität finden meint. The market will settle down soon.
Wichtige Vokabeln (5)
Real-World Preview
The Party Planning
Review Summary
- Bring + [topic] + up
- Let + [person] + down
- Look after + [someone/thing]
- Settle down
- Hold on
- Show up
Häufige Fehler
With these phrasal verbs, the pronoun object usually goes between the verb and the particle.
You must include the preposition 'after' to change the meaning from 'see' to 'care for'.
Remember to conjugate the verb part (hold -> held) in the past tense.
Regeln in diesem Kapitel (6)
Next Steps
You are doing amazing! Keep practicing these verbs in your daily life to make them second nature.
Listen to a casual English podcast and identify these verbs.
Schnelle Übung (10)
My old car always ___ when I need it most.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Jemanden enttäuschen (Phrasalverb: Let down)
She didn't ___ for the meeting, and no one knew why.
Show up bedeutet ankommen oder präsent sein. Show in und show down sind in diesem Kontext falsch.frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Ankunft & Erscheinungen: 'Show Up' verwenden
Find and fix the mistake:
She felt like she had let down herself.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Jemanden enttäuschen (Phrasalverb: Let down)
Choose the correct sentence:
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Das Phrasal Verb: Bring Up
Wähle den richtigen Satz:
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Wie man 'Settle Down' verwendet (Ruhig & Stabil)
Find and fix the mistake:
My name didn't show on the list up.
Show up ist ein untrennbares Phrasalverb, wenn es 'to appear' oder 'to arrive' bedeutet. Das Partikel 'up' sollte direkt auf 'show' folgen.frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Ankunft & Erscheinungen: 'Show Up' verwenden
Find and fix the mistake:
The rowdy party-goers just wouldn't calm.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Wie man 'Settle Down' verwendet (Ruhig & Stabil)
Can you ___ my dog while I'm on holiday?
Look after bedeutet sich kümmern. Look at bedeutet beobachten, und look for bedeutet suchen nach.frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Sich um Dinge kümmern: 'Look after'
Choose the correct sentence:
Show up ist das korrekte Phrasalverb, das ankommen bedeutet. Arrive up ist grammatisch falsch, und show at the station uptrennt das Phrasalverb falsch.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Ankunft & Erscheinungen: 'Show Up' verwenden
Could you ___ for a moment while I grab my keys?
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Warte mal! 'Hold on' verwenden
Score: /10
Häufige Fragen (6)
), Kinder aufziehen (They brought up their kids well) und informell sich übergeben (He brought up his dinner").
bring it up). Wenn das Objekt ein Nomen ist, *kann* es sie trennen (bring the topic up) oder zusammenbleiben (
bring up the topic).
My old car always lets me down on rainy days.My phone battery let me down right when I needed to make an important call.look after ist, jemanden oder etwas zu beaufsichtigen, zu pflegen oder die Verantwortung dafür zu tragen. Stell es dir vor wie kümmern, zum Beispiel wenn du dich um ein Haustier kümmerst: You look after a pet.I look after my little brother and my bike.
