Phrasal Verbs

Infinitive: fight back
PRESENT TENSE
-ING FORM
PAST TENSE
PAST PARTICIPLE
fight back & fights
back
fighting back
fought back
fought back
1. fight back p.v. When you fight back, you fight, either physically or with words, someone
or something that attacked you first.
The soldiers fought back bravely, but the situation was hopeless.
After being accused of corruption, the senator said she would fight back and
prove her innocence.
2. fight back p.v. When you fight back an emotional response, such as tears or fear, you try
very hard to overcome the emotion.
The mother fought back tears when she saw the little white coffins.
I had to fight back the urge to punch him in the nose.
Infinitive: mess around
PRESENT TENSE
-ING FORM
PAST TENSE
PAST PARTICIPLE
mess around &
messes around
messing around
messed around
messed around
1. mess around p.v. When you waste time playing or doing silly or unimportant things, you
mess around. Mess around is the same as goof around and fool around.
Our son should be doing his homework, but he’s just messing around in his
room.
When the boss isn’t here, we just mess around at our desks.
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2. mess around (with) p.v. When you fool around with something, you do something that
may be dangerous or foolish. Mess around is the same as goof around.
I know you’re angry, but you’d better think twice about messing around with
Jake. If you say the wrong thing, he might hit you.
I’m not a mechanic, so I’m not going to mess around with my car’s transmission.
I’m taking it to an expert.