B1 · Intermediate Chapter 25

Social Phrasal Verbs

6 Total Rules
70 examples
5 min
Rules in This Chapter Quick Practice

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.
Speak naturally, connect deeper, and master social flow.

What You'll Learn

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!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: Use six essential social phrasal verbs to narrate personal stories and interact with friends.

Chapter Guide

Overview

Ready to make your English conversations flow more naturally and confidently? This chapter is your key to unlocking a world of authentic expression! For B1 learners, mastering English social phrasal verbs isn't just about understanding grammar; it's about sounding more like a native speaker and connecting better with others. These essential phrases, like bring up, let down, look after, settle down, hold on, and show up, are used constantly in everyday interactions.
As you progress in your B1 English grammar journey, you’ll find that phrasal verbs are crucial for navigating social situations, expressing feelings, and managing expectations. Whether you’re discussing a new idea, offering to help a friend, or arranging to meet, these versatile verbs add color and precision to your language. Let’s dive in and transform your ability to communicate clearly and confidently, turning awkward pauses into smooth, natural exchanges. You’re about to sound much more fluent!

How This Grammar Works

Phrasal verbs are fascinating combinations of a verb and one or two prepositions or adverbs. The amazing thing is, the meaning often changes completely from the original verb alone! This chapter focuses on social phrasal verbs, which are perfect for discussing relationships, plans, and daily life. They add a natural, idiomatic touch that makes your English sound less textbook and more authentic.
Let's look at how these core social phrasal verbs operate. When you bring up a topic, you introduce it into a conversation: "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. 1✗ Using raise instead of bring up for 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."
Explanation: While "raise" works for children, bring up is the go-to for introducing subjects in dialogue.
  1. 1✗ Confusing let down with simply disappoint:
✗ "I disappointed my friend because I forgot her birthday."
✓ "I let down my friend because I forgot her birthday."
Explanation: Let down implies failing to meet an expectation or promise, often carrying a stronger emotional weight than just "disappoint."
  1. 1✗ Incorrect particle for hold on:
✗ "Can you hold up a second?"
✓ "Can you hold on a second?"
Explanation: "Hold up" means to delay or rob, not to wait. Hold on is correct for asking someone to pause.

Real Conversations

A

A

"Hey, did you manage to settle down in your new apartment yet?"
B

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

A

"I'm so worried about my sister's dog. Can you still look after him while she's away?"
B

B

"Of course! Don't worry, I won't let you down. I'll make sure he's well cared for."
A

A

"I'm running a bit late. Should I just show up whenever I get there?"
B

B

"Yeah, just hold on a minute, I'll text you the exact address, it's a bit tricky to find."

Quick FAQ

Q

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.

Q

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.

Q

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.

Q

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

Native English speakers use these social phrasal verbs constantly, often without even realizing it. They make conversations sound more natural, friendly, and less formal. Mastering them is a big step towards sounding authentic. While 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.

Key Examples (8)

1

During the meeting, I decided to **bring up** the issue of project deadlines.

The Phrasal Verb: Bring Up
2

My grandmother **brought** all five of her children **up** in a small village.

The Phrasal Verb: Bring Up
3

I really hope I don't `let my team down` during the presentation.

Disappointing Someone (Phrasal Verb: Let down)
4

My internet connection always `lets me down` when I'm streaming Netflix.

Disappointing Someone (Phrasal Verb: Let down)
5

My older sister always `looks after` me when our parents are out.

Caring for things: 'Look after'
6

The neighbour offered to `look after` our plants while we're on vacation.

Caring for things: 'Look after'
7

After the exciting news, it took me a while to `settle down`.

How to Use 'Settle Down' (Calm & Stable)
8

They've been traveling for years and now plan to `settle down` in Canada.

How to Use 'Settle Down' (Calm & Stable)

Tips & Tricks (4)

🎯

The Pronoun Sandwich

Always put pronouns (it, them, me, us) in the middle. Think of it as a sandwich: Bring + [Pronoun] + Up.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Phrasal Verb: Bring Up
🎯

The Pronoun Sandwich

Always remember: Pronouns (me, you, him, her, us, them) go in the middle of the sandwich. 'Let ME down.'
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Disappointing Someone (Phrasal Verb: Let down)
⚠️

Inseparable!

Never say 'Look him after.' The particle 'after' must always come immediately before the object.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Caring for things: 'Look after'
💡

The 'To' Rule

If you are using 'settle down' to mean focus, always follow it with 'to'. Example: 'Settle down to work.'
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: How to Use 'Settle Down' (Calm & Stable)

Key Vocabulary (5)

Expectation a strong belief that something will happen Responsibility the state of having to deal with something Stability the state of being unlikely to change Interrupt to stop someone from speaking Attendance the action of being present at an event

Real-World Preview

party-popper

The Party Planning

Review Summary

  • Bring + [topic] + up
  • Let + [person] + down
  • Look after + [someone/thing]
  • Settle down
  • Hold on
  • Show up

Common Mistakes

With these phrasal verbs, the pronoun object usually goes between the verb and the particle.

Wrong: I will bring up it.
Correct: I will bring it up.

You must include the preposition 'after' to change the meaning from 'see' to 'care for'.

Wrong: Please look the baby.
Correct: Please look after the baby.

Remember to conjugate the verb part (hold -> held) in the past tense.

Wrong: I hold on for five minutes.
Correct: I held on for five minutes.

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.

Continue to: Work and Problem-Solving Phrasal Verbs

Quick Practice (10)

Correct the error in the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

He showed up me by winning the race easily.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He showed me up
When 'show up' means to embarrass or outshine, it is separable.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Arrivals & Appearances: Using 'Show Up'

Which preposition is most common for an event?

I'm going to show up ___ the party at 9.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: to
'Show up to' or 'show up at' are the standard prepositions for events.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Arrivals & Appearances: Using 'Show Up'

Fill in the correct form of 'look after'.

Yesterday, I ___ my neighbor's cat.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: looked after
The word 'Yesterday' indicates the past tense.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Caring for things: 'Look after'

Complete the sentence.

If you don't ___, you won't get the job.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: show up
'Show up' means to attend the interview.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Arrivals & Appearances: Using 'Show Up'

Choose the correct answer

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: I won't let you down.
Pronouns must be in the middle and no 'to' is needed.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Disappointing Someone (Phrasal Verb: Let down)

Correct the error in the sentence.

Find and fix the mistake:

I brought up in a small town near the sea.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Both A and B
You can say 'I was brought up' (passive) or 'I grew up' (intransitive).

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: The Phrasal Verb: Bring Up

Identify the error in this sentence: 'She is look after the baby right now.'

Find and fix the mistake:

She is look after the baby right now.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Change 'look' to 'looking'
The phrase 'right now' requires the present continuous tense.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Caring for things: 'Look after'

Choose the correct answer

I promised to help her, so I can't let ___ down.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: her
We need the object pronoun 'her' in the middle.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Disappointing Someone (Phrasal Verb: Let down)

Choose the correct meaning for the sentence.

The red wine stain really shows up on your white dress.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The stain is very visible.
In this context, 'show up' refers to visibility against a background.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Arrivals & Appearances: Using 'Show Up'

Fill in the correct form of 'show up'.

We waited for two hours, but he never ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: showed up
The sentence is in the past tense ('waited'), so we use 'showed up'.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: Arrivals & Appearances: Using 'Show Up'

Score: /10

Common Questions (6)

It is neutral. You can use it in a business meeting or with friends. However, in very formal writing, you might use mention or raise.
No, that sounds strange. You would say I grew up on my own or I raised myself.
No, you must say let me down. Pronouns always go in the middle of separable phrasal verbs like this one.
It is neutral to informal. In a very formal business report, you might use fail to meet expectations, but in an email to a colleague, let down is perfect.
No, 'after' is the only preposition needed. Adding 'to' is a common mistake. Just say look after someone.
Not at all! You can look after pets, plants, houses, cars, and even abstract things like a business or your health.
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Daily Life Phrasal Verbs
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Work and Problem-Solving Phrasal Verbs
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