Phrasal Verbs Related to Communication

Phrasal Verbs Related to Communication

Phrasal Verbs Related to Communication

Hello English learners! Welcome back to another lesson from My Lingua Academy. Today, we are going to look at 20 phrasal verbs related to communication.

Whether you are chatting with friends, making small talk at work, or writing emails in English, these phrasal verbs will help you express yourself naturally and confidently. Communication is more than just words — it is how we connect, understand, and share ideas. And these little verb + particle combinations will take your English to the next level.

So, let’s get talking!

Speak up

Meaning: talk louder so people can hear you.

Example: Please speak up — I can barely hear you over the music!

Tip: Often used when someone is shy or quiet during a conversation.

Bring up

Meaning: introduce a topic into a discussion.

Example: She brought up the issue of pay rises during the meeting.

Note: Be careful — bringing up sensitive topics can make conversations awkward!

Get across

Meaning: successfully communicate an idea.

Example: The teacher used simple language to get her message across.

Extra tip: You can also say get something across to someone.

Call off

Meaning: cancel something, such as a meeting or appointment.

Example: They called off the press conference at the last minute.

Synonym: cancel Phrasal Verbs Related to Communication

Think over

Meaning: consider an idea or proposal carefully before deciding.

Example: I need time to think it over before I give you an answer.

Common collocations: think over an offer / a suggestion / a plan

Talk over

Meaning: discuss something thoroughly before making a decision.

Example: Let’s talk it over before we make a final choice.

Common in: workplace or family decision-making situations.

Pass on

Meaning: give someone information that was told to you.

Example: Please pass on my thanks to your teacher.

Also means: to pass away (die), so pay attention to the context!

Cut off

Meaning: interrupt someone while he/she is speaking, or lose a phone connection.

Example: Sorry, I got cut off while I was talking to you.

Usage: “We were cut off” is often used when a call drops unexpectedly.

Fill (someone) in

Meaning: give someone all the details or updates. Phrasal Verbs Related to Communication

Example: Can you fill me in on what happened at yesterday’s meeting?

Common collocations: fill in someone on the news / the details / the plan

Go on about

Meaning: talk too much about something.

Example: He’s always going on about his new job.

Humorous tone: Used when you’re tired of hearing the same story!

Open up

Meaning: start talking honestly about personal feelings.

Example: She rarely opens up about her childhood.

Usage tip: It is often used in emotional or supportive conversations.

Blurt out

Meaning: say something suddenly without thinking.

Example: James blurted out the surprise before I could stop him!

Catch up (with someone)

Meaning: talk with someone you haven’t seen in a while and share news

Example: Let’s meet for coffee and catch up — it’s been ages!

Useful for: friendly, casual conversations.

Get through (to someone)

Meaning: make someone understand or reach them (by phone or emotionally)

Example: I’ve been trying to get through to her all day, but her line’s busy.

Emotional sense: I can’t seem to get through to him — he never listens.

Talk into (doing something)

Meaning: persuade someone to do something

Example: He talked me into joining the gym with him.

Opposite: talk someone out of (doing something). Phrasal Verbs Related to Communication

Put across

Meaning: express ideas clearly and effectively

Example: She put her ideas across very well during the interview.

Synonym: get across.

Come out with

Meaning: suddenly say something surprising or unexpected.

Example: Mary came out with a funny comment that made everyone laugh.

Back up

Meaning: support someone’s opinion or statement.

Example: Can you back me up when I tell the boss about our plan?

Break off

Meaning: stop a conversation or relationship suddenly.

Example: She broke off the conversation and walked away.

Chime in

Meaning: join in a conversation, especially to agree or add something.

Example: Everyone chimed in with their opinions during the meeting.

Do the quiz to perfect your knowledge:

Phrasal Verbs Related to Communication

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