We use phrasal verbs whenever we log in to an account, back up our files, scroll through social media or get cut off during an online meeting. In this lesson, you will learn 25 useful phrasal verbs for technology and computers as well as online communication, with clear meanings, natural examples and a short practice quiz for B2–C1 learners.
Why Learn Phrasal Verbs for Technology?
Phrasal verbs appear frequently in:
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- emails and workplace messages
- online meetings
- computer instructions
- social media posts
- technical support conversations
- everyday discussions about technology
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They are also common in B2 First and C1 Advanced reading, listening, speaking and writing tasks.
Instead of saying:
- I entered my account.
we usually say:
- I logged in to my account.
Instead of saying:
- I made a second copy of my files.
we normally say:
- I backed up my files.
Let us look at the most useful expressions.
Phrasal Verbs for Computers and Devices
1. Back up
Meaning: to make an additional copy of a file, document or other digital information so that it will not be lost.
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- Always back up your important files to an external drive or cloud storage.
- Mildred backed up all her ebooks before buying a new computer.
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The noun form is backup:
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- I keep a backup of all my work documents.
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2. Boot up
Meaning: to start a computer or device and load its operating system.
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- My computer takes several minutes to boot up.
- The technician booted up the system to check whether it was working.
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3. Hook up
Meaning: to connect one piece of electronic equipment to another or to a power supply.
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- Brian hooked up the microphone to his computer.
- Can you help me hook up the printer?
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4. Plug in
Meaning: to connect a device to an electrical supply or another piece of equipment.
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- You can plug your laptop into the socket over there.
- I plugged in my phone because the battery was almost empty.
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Notice the structure:
plug something into something
5. Key in
Meaning: to enter information into a computer or device using a keyboard or keypad.
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- Please key in your password.
- You need to key in the security code before continuing.
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6. Print out
Meaning: to produce a paper copy of a digital document.
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- Could you print out two copies of the report?
- There is no need to print the document out because we can read it online.
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The noun form is printout:
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- Please bring a printout of your booking confirmation.
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7. Shut down
Meaning: to close a computer’s operating system and turn the device off.
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- Remember to save your work before shutting down the computer.
- The system automatically shuts down after a period of inactivity.
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Turn off means to stop a device from operating:
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- Please turn off your phone during the meeting.
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We commonly shut down a computer, but turn off a phone, screen or device.
8. Run out of
Meaning: to use all of something so that none remains.
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- I have run out of storage space on my phone.
- The printer has run out of paper.
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Phrasal Verbs for Accounts, Websites and Online Forms
9. Log in
Meaning: to enter a computer system, website or account by providing a username, password or other information.
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- I cannot read my emails because I cannot log in.
- You need to log in before you can access the course.
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You may also hear log on, particularly when talking about accessing a computer system or network.
The noun and adjective form is login:
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- I have forgotten my login details.
- Go to the login page.
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10. Log out
Meaning: to leave an online account or computer system safely.
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- Do not forget to log out of your account on a public computer.
- I logged out before closing the browser.
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11. Sign up
Meaning: to register for a website, service, course or event.
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- I have signed up for a new language-learning platform.
- You need to sign up before you can leave a comment.
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The noun form is sign-up:
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- The sign-up process only takes a few minutes.
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12. Fill in
Meaning: to complete a form by providing the required information.
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- Please fill in all the required fields.
- I filled in the online application yesterday.
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In American English, fill out is also common:
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- Please fill out this form.
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13. Click on
Meaning: to select a link, button, file or symbol on a computer screen.
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- Click on the link to open the document.
- Simon accidentally clicked on the wrong file.
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14. Scroll through
Meaning: to move through digital content on a screen in order to look at it.
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- I was scrolling through Instagram when I saw your post.
- Sandra spent an hour scrolling through old messages.
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We can also say scroll up and scroll down:
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- Scroll down to the bottom of the page.
- Scroll up to read the previous paragraph.
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15. Look up
Meaning: to search for information, often online or in a reference source.
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- I looked up the word in an online dictionary.
- You can look up the train times on the website.
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16. Check out
Meaning: to look at, investigate or examine something that seems interesting.
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- Check out this new language-learning app.
- You should check the course out before signing up.
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This is usually informal and is very common in online communication.
Phrasal Verbs for Emails and Online Communication
17. Send out
Meaning: to send a message, email or announcement to several people.
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- The company sent out an email to all its customers.
- We need to send the meeting details out before Friday.
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18. Get back to someone
Meaning: to contact or reply to someone later.
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- I will get back to you as soon as I have more information.
- She has not got back to me yet.
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This expression is very useful in professional emails and workplace communication.
19. Copy someone in
Meaning: to include another person in an email conversation by sending them a copy.
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- Please copy me in so that I can follow the discussion.
- She copied her manager in on the email.
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You may also see CC someone, especially in written instructions.
20. Set up
Meaning: to create, organise or arrange something such as an account, group, device or meeting.
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- I have set up an online meeting for tomorrow.
- She set up a new email account.
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21. Join in
Meaning: to take part in a conversation, discussion or activity.
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- Everyone joined in the online discussion.
- Several students joined in when the teacher asked a question.
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22. Follow up
Meaning: to take further action or contact someone again after an earlier message, meeting or event.
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- I sent a follow-up email after the meeting.
- The manager promised to follow up on the complaint.
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The noun and adjective form is follow-up:
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- We arranged a follow-up meeting.
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Phrasal Verbs for Technical Problems and Online Security
23. Hack into
Meaning: to enter someone’s computer, account or network illegally.
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- Someone tried to hack into my email account.
- Criminals hacked into the company’s database.
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We commonly say that a person hacks into a system, but that an account is hacked:
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- Someone hacked into my account.
- My account was hacked.
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24. Run into
Meaning: to encounter a problem or difficulty unexpectedly.
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- I ran into a problem while uploading the file.
- We ran into technical difficulties during the online meeting.
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25. Cut out
Meaning: to stop working suddenly, especially when talking about sound, video, electricity or an internet connection.
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- The sound kept cutting out during the presentation.
- Your voice is cutting out, so I cannot hear you properly.
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We can also say that a person gets cut off when a phone or video call ends unexpectedly:
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- I am sorry—we got cut off.
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Commonly Confused Expressions
Log in or sign in?
These expressions usually have the same meaning when talking about websites and accounts.
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- Log in to your account.
- Sign in to your account.
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However, once you choose one expression, try to use it consistently.
The opposites are:
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- log out
- sign out
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Shut down or turn off?
We often use shut down for computers and operating systems:
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- Shut down the computer properly.
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We use turn off for most electrical devices:
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- Turn off the screen.
- Turn off your phone.
- Turn off the printer.
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Scroll through, scroll up or scroll down?
Use scroll through when looking through content:
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- I scrolled through my messages.
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Use scroll up or scroll down to describe the direction:
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- Scroll down to the next section.
- Scroll up to see the previous message.
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Final Thoughts
Phrasal verbs for technology and online communication are useful both at work and in everyday life. We use them when managing accounts, operating devices, sending messages, attending online meetings and solving technical problems.
Try to learn these expressions in complete sentences rather than as isolated vocabulary. For example, do not learn only back up. Learn:
Remember to back up your files.
Do not learn only get back to. Learn:
I will get back to you tomorrow.
The more often you notice and use these phrasal verbs, the more natural your English will sound. Technology may change quickly, but phrasal verbs seem determined to remain logged in.
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