Phrasal Verbs

keeping up with the rest of the class.
The assembly line was going so fast that no one could keep up.
3. keep up (with) p.v. When you keep up or keep up with people or things that are moving,
you are able to move at the same rate. Fall behind and get behind are the opposite of
keep up.
Bob walks so fast that it’s hard to keep up with him.
The wounded soldiers couldn’t keep up with the rest of the army.
4. keep up (with) p.v. When you can understand and respond to a situation that is changing,
you are able to keep up with the situation.
Computer technology is changing so fast. How can anyone keep up with it?
Jane always has some new idea. I can’t keep up with her.
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5. keep . . . up p.v. When people or things keep you up, they prevent you from going to bed,
or if you are in bed, they prevent you from falling asleep.
Our guests just would not leave last night. They kept me up until 2:00 in the
morning.
That noisy party across the alley kept me up all night.
PRACTICE
38-1. On a separate piece of paper, complete the sentences with phrasal verbs from this
unit. Be sure the phrasal verbs are in the correct tense and person.
1. The student’s excuse for not doing his homework was so ridiculous that his teacher
couldn’t _____________ _____________ laughing.
2. What I’m going to tell you is highly confidential, so _____________ it _____________
yourself.
3. The baby’s crying _____________ Judy _____________ half the night.
4. Don’t quit now—you’re almost finished. _____________ _____________ it.
5. The company increased its profits by _____________ costs _____________.
6. I’ve tried to quit smoking a hundred times, but I just can’t _____________
_____________ cigarettes longer than a day.
7. Slower traffic should _____________ _____________ the right.
8. Now that I live in New York, I can’t _____________ _____________ with local news in
my hometown.
9. Sally is really angry at your brother, so it would be a good idea to _____________ him
_____________ from her.
10. My algebra class is too difficult for me. I can’t _____________ _____________.
11. You’re going to have to walk faster than that if you want to _____________
_____________ with us.
12. Please _____________ your dog _____________ our lawn.
13. If you don’t _____________ _____________ your exercise program, you’re going to
gain all the weight back.
14. Could you _____________ the music _____________? Your mother’s trying to sleep.
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15. Parents try to _____________ their children _____________ making mistakes, but
sometimes it isn’t easy.
16. If you _____________ _____________ eating so much butter and so many eggs, you’re
going to have a heart attack.
17. The new owner said the company was losing too much money to _____________ all the
workers _____________ and that some would have to be laid off.
18. Look at the prices on this menu! Let’s try to _____________ it _____________ a
hundred dollars, OK?
19. I don’t want to talk to you ever again, so _____________ _____________ from me!