19 Phrasal Verbs about Friendship

19 Phrasal Verbs About Friendship (Meanings & Examples)

Hello English learners! Welcome to a new lesson. Friendship plays an important role in our lives, and English has many phrasal verbs that describe relationships, support, and social interactions. Learning these expressions will help you sound more natural and fluent in everyday conversations, as well as improve your vocabulary for B2 First and C1 Advanced exams. Let’s explore 19 useful phrasal verbs related to friendship.

Back up

Meaning: To support or defend someone.

When my friend was going through a difficult breakup, I backed her up by listening and offering advice.
Can you back me up during the meeting if questions become difficult?

Bond with

Meaning: To develop a close emotional connection with someone.

We bonded with our classmates during the school trip.
They quickly bonded with each other over their shared love of music.

Catch up (with)

Meaning: To meet someone after a period of time and share news or experiences.

Let’s meet for coffee and catch up.
She spent the weekend catching up with old friends from university.

Cheer up

Meaning: To make someone feel happier.

My friends took me out for dinner to cheer me up after a stressful week.
A kind message can really cheer someone up.

Count on

Meaning: To rely on or trust someone.

You can always count on me when you need help.
I know I can count on my best friend for honest advice.

Fall out (with)

Meaning: To have an argument and stop being friendly.

They fell out over a misunderstanding.
Although they fell out, they later repaired their friendship.

Get along with

Meaning: To have a friendly and positive relationship with someone.

She gets along with everyone in the group.
It’s easier to work together when colleagues get along.

Get together

Meaning: To meet socially and spend time together.

We plan to get together this weekend.
Our friends often get together for dinner parties.

Hang out (with)

Meaning: To spend time with someone in a relaxed and informal way.

We like to hang out at the café after classes.
She enjoys hanging out with her cousins during holidays.

Hit it off

Meaning: To become friendly with someone immediately.

We hit it off the moment we met.
They hit it off and talked for hours at the party.

Keep in touch

Meaning: To maintain communication with someone.

We promised to keep in touch after graduation.
Social media makes it easier to keep in touch with friends abroad.

Look after

Meaning: To take care of someone.

She always looks after her friends when they feel unwell.
He is looking after his neighbour’s cat while she is away.

Look up to

Meaning: To admire or respect someone.

Many people look up to their mentors.
I’ve always looked up to my older brother.

Make up

Meaning: To become friends again after an argument.

They argued but quickly made up.
It’s important for friends to make up and forgive each other.

Run into

Meaning: To meet someone unexpectedly.

I ran into an old friend at the supermarket.
She ran into her former teacher while travelling.

Show up

Meaning: To arrive somewhere, especially to support someone or attend an event.

True friends always show up when you need them.
I was happy that everyone showed up for my birthday celebration.

Stand by

Meaning: To remain loyal and support someone during difficult times.

Her friends stood by her during her illness.
Good friends stand by each other in challenging moments.

Stick up for

Meaning: To defend or protect someone.

She stuck up for her friend during the argument.
True friends always stick up for each other.

Turn to

Meaning: To go to someone for help, advice, or emotional support.

I always turn to my best friend when I feel worried.
When he faced difficulties, he turned to his family for support.

Final Tip for Learners

Try to learn phrasal verbs in context rather than memorising long lists. Think about real-life situations involving friendship and practise using these expressions in conversations or writing tasks. This will help you remember them more easily and sound more natural in English.