English Phrasal Verbs

                              English Phrasal Verbs

Stand by

-         Wait

-         To be ready for action

Example:

1.    The troops are standing by.

2.    Don’t just stand by and let others have all the fun.  

3.    Please stand by for more instructions.

4.    I can’t simply stand by and watch you ruin your life.

Strike out

-         Start out on a new or independent course or endeavour

Example:

1.    It’s time to strike out on your own and do something completely different.

2.    He lost his temper and struck out wildly.

3.    I knew it was time I struck out on my own.

4.    In heavy rain, we struck out across the valley.

Sweep aside

-         To ignore

-         To ignore something completely

Example:

1.    Sweep aside all your inhibitions and start living life to the full.

2.    She swept aside all their advice.

3.    He swept aside questions about his son's arrest.

4.    He swept aside all her objections.

Boil down to

-         To have something as a main or basic part

-         To be the main or most important results of something

Example:

1.    It all boils down to whether you are prepared to take control of life or let life control you.

2.    It’s difficult to choose which appliance to buy, but in the end, it usually boils down to cost.

3.    In the end, what it all boiled down to is money or the lack of it.  

4.    What it all boils down to is a lack of communication.

Author: 

Dr.M. Selvam

Assistant Professor of English

Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidyalaya College of Arts and Science

Coimbatore – 641 020