Phrasal Verbs Starting with 'B'

To retreat slowly backwards from a threat or danger.

To abandon an argument, opinion, or demand when faced with opposition.

To withdraw from a promise, contract, or prior agreement.

1. To support or corroborate: 'The forensic data backed up his alibi.'
2. To make a digital copy: 'Always back up critical research documents.'

1. To rescue someone from a financial or critical crisis.
2. To jump from an aircraft with a parachute.

To depend or count on something happening with certainty.

To expect, anticipate, or be prepared for a development (usually negative).

1. To depart: 'I must be off before rush hour begins.'
2. To be spoiled (food): 'This milk smells like it is off.'

To be patient or tolerant with someone during a delay.

1. To be carried away by wind.
2. (Informal) To astonish or impress greatly.

1. To extinguish a flame by puffing air.
2. A sudden tire puncture.

1. To explode: 'The munitions dump blew up.'
2. To suddenly lose one's temper: 'He blew up when he discovered the accounting fraud.'

To be summarized as the single most essential or core point.

1. Mechanical failure: 'The generator broke down during the storm.'
2. Emotional collapse: 'She broke down in tears after receiving the good news.'
3. To analyze in components: 'Let us break down the annual expenses.'

1. To enter a building illegally by force.
2. To train a new horse or soften new shoes.

1. To force entry into a building: 'Burglars broke into the gallery.'
2. To successfully enter a difficult industry: 'It is tough to break into aerospace.'

1. To start suddenly (war, fire, epidemic): 'A fire broke out in the lab.'
2. To escape from prison: 'Three inmates broke out of the penitentiary.'

To penetrate a barrier, obstacle, or achieve a sudden scientific discovery.

1. To end a romantic or business relationship: 'They decided to break up.'
2. To disperse a crowd: 'Police broke up the gathering.'

To cause or make something happen.

1. To return something: 'Bring back my dictionary tomorrow.'
2. To revive a memory: 'That melody brings back childhood memories.'

1. To cause a government or leader to fall: 'The scandal brought down the ministry.'
2. To reduce prices or costs: 'Competition brought down smartphone prices.'

1. To reschedule an appointment to an earlier date.
2. To present an official proposal or evidence.

1. To earn revenue or yield profit: 'The tourism campaign brought in millions.'
2. To introduce legislation: 'The council brought in stricter noise limits.'

To succeed in doing something challenging or unexpected.

1. To publish or release a product: 'The author is bringing out a new memoir.'
2. To highlight a quality: 'Praise brings out the best in young learners.'

1. To raise and educate a child: 'She was brought up in rural Scotland.'
2. To introduce a sensitive subject: 'Do not bring up politics during lunch.'

To quickly review, refresh, or improve one's existing knowledge of a skill.

1. To increase gradually: 'Traffic built up along the bridge.'
2. To strengthen: 'Nutritious diet builds up immune resistance.'

To encounter an acquaintance completely unexpectedly.

To be completely destroyed by fire down to the ground.

1. To become completely exhausted from prolonged stress or work.
2. To stop burning when fuel is exhausted.

To rudely interrupt a conversation or meddle in others' affairs.