List of 300+ Common Phrasal Verbs: [With meanings and examples]

List of some common phrasal verbs: Their meanings and examples

Table of content

- Common phrasal verbs (Mixed)

1. 'at' Phrasal Verbs

2. 'in' Phrasal Verbs

3. 'on' Phrasal Verbs

4. 'for' Phrasal Verbs

5. 'to' Phrasal Verbs

6. 'before' Phrasal Verbs

7. 'after' Phrasal Verbs

8. 'from' Phrasal Verbs

9. 'under' Phrasal Verbs

10. 'above' Phrasal Verbs

11. 'with' Phrasal Verbs

12. 'of and off' Phrasal Verbs

13. 'into' Phrasal Verbs

14. 'onto' Phrasal Verbs

15. 'by' Phrasal Verbs

"Phrasal Verbs by Prepositions are essential for beginners learning English. These are phrases made up of a verb and a preposition, like 'look after' or 'run into,' that change the meaning of the original verb.

Understanding these common phrasal verbs helps improve your communication skills and makes your English sound more natural. 

Learning the most used phrasal verbs by prepositions is an easy way to boost your vocabulary and confidence in speaking English. Start with simple verbs like 'put on' or 'turn off' and build from there!" 

Here's a list of some common phrasal verbs, their meanings, and examples of how they are used in sentences. Enjoy exploring the dynamic world of these expressions!

Common phrasal verbs (Mixed)

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example
Ask around	To inquire or seek information from multiple people.	I don't know where the party is, but I'll ask around and find out.
Back up	To support or provide assistance.	Can you back me up in the meeting with some data?
Bring up	To mention or introduce a topic in conversation.	He brought up the idea of starting a book club.
Call off	To cancel or abandon plans.	They had to call off the picnic due to bad weather.
Catch up	To reach the same level or pace as others.	I need to work late to catch up on my assignments.
Check out	To investigate or examine.	Let's check out that new restaurant downtown.
Come across	To find or discover unexpectedly.	I came across an old photo while cleaning my room.
Cut down	To reduce the amount or quantity.	I'm trying to cut down on caffeine for a healthier lifestyle.
Do away with	To eliminate or get rid of something.	The Company decided to do away with paper receipts.
Drop by	To visit someone casually.	Feel free to drop by my office if you have any questions.
Eat out	To dine at a restaurant instead of at home.	Let's eat out tonight and try that new Italian place.
Figure out	To understand or solve a problem.	It took me a while to figure out how to use the new software.
Get along with	To have a harmonious relationship with someone.	I get along well with my colleagues at work.
Give in	To surrender or yield to a request or demand.	After much negotiation, she gave in and agreed to the compromise.
Go over	To review or examine in detail.	Let's go over the project timeline in the meeting.
Hang out	To spend time socializing casually.	We usually hang out at the coffee shop on weekends.
Hold on	To wait or pause for a moment.	Please hold on; I'll be with you in a minute.
Keep up	To stay informed or maintain a pace.	It's essential to keep up with the latest industry trends.
Lay off	To dismiss or terminate someone from employment.	The Company had to lay off several employees due to budget cuts.
Look forward to	To anticipate or be excited about something in the future.	I'm looking forward to our vacation next month.
Make up	To invent or create a story.	I didn't know the answer, so I had to make up a plausible excuse.
Pass away	To die.	Sadly, my grandmother passed away last night.
Pick up	To collect or acquire.	Can you pick up some groceries on your way home?
Point out	To bring attention to something.	She pointed out the error in the report.
Put off	To postpone or delay.	We had to put off the meeting until next week.
Run out of	To deplete the supply of something.	We ran out of printer ink, so I need to buy more.
Set up	To arrange or organize.	Let's set up a meeting to discuss the project.
Show up	To arrive or appear.	She promised to show up at the event.
Take after	To resemble or inherit traits from someone.	The daughter takes after her mother in terms of artistic talent.
Try on	To test the fit of clothing or accessories.	I need to try on these shoes before buying them.
Turn down	To reject or refuse an offer.	Unfortunately, he had to turn down the job offer.
Use up	To consume completely.	Don't use up all the printer paper; we need some for the presentation.
Wake up	To stop sleeping and become conscious.	I usually wake up at 7 AM on weekdays.
Bring about	To cause or make something happen.	The new policy brought about positive changes in the workplace.
Carry on	To continue doing something.	Despite the challenges, they decided to carry on with the project.
Come up with	To think of or create something.	Can you come up with a solution to this problem?
Cut off	To disconnect or isolate.	The phone call was cut off abruptly.
Find out	To discover or learn information.	I'll find out the details and let you know.
Get over	To recover from an illness or emotional distress.	It took her a while to get over the flu.
Hand in	To submit or give something to someone in authority.	Don't forget to hand in your assignment by Friday.
Hold off	To delay or postpone.	They decided to hold off on the decision until further information was available.
Log in	To enter a computer system by providing the necessary credentials.	You need to log in to access your email account.
Look after	To take care of someone or something.	Can you look after my cat while I'm on vacation?
Make out	To discern or understand.	It was dark, but I could just make out the silhouette of a person.
Pay back	To return money that is owed.	I'll pay you back as soon as I get my next paycheck.
Put up with	To tolerate or endure.	I don't know how she puts up with his constant complaining.
Run into	To encounter someone unexpectedly.	I ran into an old friend at the grocery store.
Settle down	To establish a stable and permanent lifestyle.	After years of traveling, he decided to settle down in the countryside.
Take off	To remove clothing or to depart quickly.	I need to take off my jacket; it's too warm in here.
Turn up	To arrive or appear unexpectedly.	She turned up at the party unannounced.
Bring in	To introduce or implement something new.	The Company decided to bring in a new policy regarding remote work.
Call up	To phone or contact someone.	I'll call up the customer support to inquire about the issue.
Clean up	To tidy or organize.	Let's clean up the kitchen after dinner.
Cut back	To reduce or decrease.	I need to cut back on my expenses this month.
Do without	To manage or survive without something.	We'll have to do without a car until we can afford one.
Fall apart	To disintegrate or break into pieces.	The old book fell apart when I tried to read it.
Get by	To manage or survive with the resources available.	It's tough, but we can get by with a smaller budget.
Hand out	To distribute or give something to people.	The teacher handed out the assignment sheets to the students.
Hold up	To delay or obstruct.	The traffic accident held up the morning commute.
Lay out	To arrange or display something.	Let's lay out the plans for the new project.
Look up to	To admire or respect someone.	I've always looked up to my older sister as a role model.
Make up for	To compensate for a mistake or loss.	I'll work extra hours to make up for the time I missed last week.
Pass out	To lose consciousness temporarily.	The heat was so intense that I nearly passed out.
Pick out	To choose or select.	Let's pick out a birthday present for your sister.
Point to	To indicate or suggest.	The data seems to point to a significant increase in sales.
Put on	To wear or place something on a surface.	It's cold outside, so don't forget to put on your jacket.
Run over	To collide with or drive over.	Be careful not to run over the toys in the driveway.
Set aside	To reserve or save for a specific purpose.	Let's set aside some time for a team-building activity.
Show off	To display or exhibit with pride.	She loves to show off her impressive art collection.
Take in	To comprehend or absorb information.	It took me a while to take in the complexity of the problem.
Try out	To test or experiment with something new.	I decided to try out a different workout routine.
Turn around	To reverse direction or change for the better.	The Company’s financial situation began to turn around after the new CEO took over.
Wake up to	To become aware of or realize something.	It's time to wake up to the environmental challenges we are facing.
Break down	To cease functioning or emotionally collapse or separate into smaller parts or analyze.	The car broke down on the way to the airport. She broke down in tears when she heard the bad news. Let’s break down this complex problem into smaller, more manageable steps.
Bring out	To reveal or make something noticeable.	The colors in the painting really bring out the beauty of the landscape.
Call for	To require or demand.	The situation calls for immediate action.
Come over	To visit someone's place.	Why don't you come over for dinner tonight?
Cut in	To interrupt or join a conversation or activity.	She cut in and offered her opinion on the matter.
Do up	To fasten or secure something.	Can you help me do up the buttons on my dress?
Fall for	To be deceived or tricked.	I can't believe I fell for that prank.
Get across	To communicate or convey an idea.	It's challenging to get complex concepts across in a simple manner.
Hang up	To end a telephone call by putting the receiver down.	I had to hang up quickly because I was running late.
Hold back	To restrain or inhibit.	Don't hold back; share your thoughts during the brainstorming session.
Jump in	To get involved or participate quickly.	Feel free to jump in if you have something to contribute.

Common phrasal verbs using the preposition "at": Their Meanings and Their Usage

Here's a list of common phrasal verbs using the preposition "at," along with their meanings and examples of how they are used in sentences:

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example
Look at	To focus your eyes on something for examination.	Can you look at these documents and provide feedback? She looked at the beautiful sunset with admiration. Can you look at this picture and tell me what you see?
Laugh at	To find something amusing and respond with laughter.	We all laughed at the comedian's jokes during the show. It's not polite to laugh at someone else's mistakes. It's not polite to laugh at someone's misfortune.
Excel at	To be highly skilled or proficient in a particular activity.	She excels at playing the piano.
Point at	To extend your finger towards something to draw attention.	The teacher pointed at the map to show the location of the capital. The teacher pointed at the correct answer on the board. The child pointed at the colorful birds in the sky.
Shout at	To speak loudly or yell towards someone.	Please don't shout at me; I can hear you just fine. It's not productive to shout at your colleagues during disagreements.
Arrive at	To reach a destination. To reach a conclusion or decision after consideration.	They're expected to arrive at the airport by 3 PM. After hours of discussion, we finally arrived at a solution. After negotiations, they were able to arrive at a fair deal.
Look down at	To direct one's gaze downward towards something.	She looked down at her shoes while talking about the embarrassing incident.
Smile at	To express happiness or friendliness with a smile.	The child smiled at the sight of the colorful balloons. I always smile at the memory of our family vacations. She smiled at the friendly gesture from her coworker.
Glance at	To take a quick look or brief view at something.	I glanced at my watch and realized I was running late. He glanced at his watch to check the time.
Look up at	To direct your gaze upwards towards something.	We looked up at the stars on a clear night. The child looked up at the towering skyscraper in awe.
Throw up at	To vomit due to illness or discomfort.	The roller coaster ride made her throw up at the amusement park. The motion sickness made her throw up at the amusement park.
Yell at	To shout or raise one's voice loudly towards someone.	The coach yelled at the players for not following the game plan. It's not healthy to constantly yell at your children.
Get at	To imply or suggest something indirectly.	I can't quite figure out what you're getting at with your remarks. I can sense that you're trying to get at a deeper issue here. What are you trying to get at with your comments?
Stare at	To gaze fixedly or intently at something.	The cat stared at the moving toy with curiosity.
Wave at	To greet or say goodbye by moving your hand in a waving motion.	She waved at her friends as they left the party.
Look back at	To reflect on or review past events.	Let's look back at the achievements we've made this year.
Frown at	To show disapproval or displeasure with a facial expression.	The teacher frowned at the student for not completing the homework.
Throw at	To propel something in the direction of someone or something.	The pitcher threw the ball at incredible speed. The athlete threw the javelin at the competition.
Aim at	To focus on achieving a specific target or goal.	The team is aiming at winning the championship this season. The new marketing campaign aims at attracting a younger audience. The company aims at becoming a leader in sustainable practices.

Common Phrasal Verbs using preposition "In": Their Meanings and Their Usage

Here's a list of common phrasal verbs using the preposition "in," along with their meanings and examples of how they are used in sentences:

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example
Believe in	To have faith or confidence in something or someone.	I believe in your ability to succeed in this project.
Result in	To cause a specific outcome or consequence.	Poor communication can result in misunderstandings.
Engage in	To participate or be involved in an activity.	The students are encouraged to engage in extracurricular activities.
Succeed in	To achieve success in a particular endeavor.	With hard work, you can succeed in any field you choose.
Specialize in	To focus on and be an expert in a specific area.	The company specializes in designing eco-friendly products.
Belong in	To be appropriate or fit for a particular category or group.	This book belongs in the science fiction section.
Participate in	To take part in an activity or event.	Are you planning to participate in the charity run this weekend?

Common Phrasal Verbs using preposition "On": Their Meanings and Their Usage

Here's a list of common phrasal verbs using the preposition "on," along with their meanings and examples of how they are used in sentences:

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example
Count on	To rely or depend on someone or something.	You can always count on your best friend for support.
Focus on	To concentrate attention or effort on a specific thing.	Let's focus on completing this project before moving on to the next one.
Go on	To continue or proceed.	The meeting will go on despite the unexpected challenges.
Work on	To put effort into improving or developing something.	I need to work on my presentation skills for the upcoming conference.
Rely on	To trust or depend on someone or something.	I can always rely on my sister to give good advice.
Insist on	To demand or persist with a particular request or condition.	She insists on having her own office space.
Comment on	To express thoughts or opinions about something.	The teacher will comment on your essay during the next class.
Build on	To develop or make progress based on something.	Let's build on the success of our previous projects.
Decide on	To make a choice or reach a decision about something.	Have you decided on a venue for the party?
Bank on	To rely heavily on something happening.	Don't bank on winning the lottery; it's a rare occurrence.
Move on	To progress or proceed forward.	After a breakup, it's important to move on with your life.
Cash in on	To take advantage of an opportunity, often for personal gain.	Some people try to cash in on popular trends to make money.
Check on	To verify or inquire about someone or something's condition.	I'll check on the progress of the project tomorrow.
Catch up on	To get up-to-date on something that has been missed or neglected.	I need to catch up on my emails after being on vacation.
Bet on	To place confidence or trust in the success of something.	I wouldn't bet on the underdog winning this match.
Hold on	To wait or pause.	Hold on a moment; I'll be right back.
Zero in on	To focus or concentrate intensely on a particular target or goal.	The detective decided to zero in on the key suspect.

Common Phrasal Verbs using preposition "For": Their Meanings and Their Usage

Here's a list of common phrasal verbs using the preposition "for," along with their meanings and examples of how they are used in sentences:

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example
Account for	To explain or justify something.	The company must account for the missing funds in their financial report.
Ask for	To request or solicit something.	He asked for help when he couldn't solve the problem on his own.
Care for	To look after or provide assistance to someone or something.	She cares for her elderly grandmother every weekend.
Go for	To choose or select something.	I think I'll go for the chicken salad for lunch today.
Look for	To search or seek something.	Have you seen my keys? I've been looking for them everywhere.
Pay for	To provide payment for something.	I'll pay for dinner tonight since you paid last time.
Pray for	To offer prayers or supplications for someone or something.	We pray for peace and harmony in the world.
Search for	To seek or try to find something.	They searched for the missing hiker throughout the night.
Wait for	To remain in expectation or anticipation of something.	I'll wait for you outside the cinema until the movie ends.
Fall for	To be deceived or tricked by someone or something.	He fell for the scam and lost a significant amount of money.

Common Phrasal Verbs using preposition "To": Their Meanings and Their Usage

Here's a list of common phrasal verbs using the preposition "to," along with their meanings and examples of how they are used in sentences:

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example
Get to	To arrive at a place or destination.	We finally got to the airport after a long journey.
Refer to	To mention or direct someone's attention to something.	The professor referred to several important theories during the lecture.
Look forward to	To anticipate or await something eagerly.	I'm looking forward to our vacation next month.
Listen to	To pay attention and hear what someone is saying or what sounds are being made.	She always listens to music while studying.
Talk to	To communicate with someone by speaking to them.	I need to talk to my boss about my upcoming vacation plans.
Get used to	To become accustomed or familiar with something.	It took me a while to get used to the new work schedule.
Add to	To increase the amount, number, or level of something.	Adding salt to the soup enhances the flavor.
Lead to	To result in or cause something to happen.	Poor communication can lead to misunderstandings.
Turn to	To switch or shift one's attention, focus, or allegiance to someone or something.	When in doubt, you can always turn to your family for support.
Come to	To regain consciousness after fainting or being unconscious.	She fainted but quickly came to after a few minutes.

Common Phrasal Verbs using preposition "Before": Their Meanings and Their Usage

Here's a list of common phrasal verbs using the preposition "before," along with their meanings and examples of how they are used in sentences:

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example
Go before	To be presented or brought forward for consideration or judgment.	The case will go before the judge next week.
Come before	To appear or present oneself for a meeting, hearing, or discussion.	The students were asked to come before the principal to discuss their behavior.
Think before	To consider or reflect on something before taking action.	Always think before making important decisions.
Put before	To present or submit something for consideration or discussion.	The proposal was put before the board for approval.
Check before	To verify or consult with someone or something before proceeding.	Always check before crossing the street.
Stand before	To face or confront a situation or authority.	She had to stand before the committee to defend her actions.
Appear before	To be seen or present oneself in front of someone or a group.	The accused will appear before the judge in court tomorrow.
Happen before	To occur or take place at an earlier time.	Such incidents have happened before in this neighborhood.
Walk before	To take steps or progress in a certain way or direction before doing something else.	You need to learn to walk before you can run.
Know before	To have prior knowledge or awareness of something.	I knew him before he became famous.

Common Phrasal Verbs using preposition "After": Their Meanings and Their Usage

Here are common phrasal verbs using the preposition "after," along with their meanings and usage examples:

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example
Go after	To pursue or chase someone or something.	The police went after the thief who stole the purse.
Look after	To take care of or watch over someone or something.	She looks after her younger siblings while their parents are at work.
Run after	To chase or pursue someone or something.	The children ran after the ice cream truck down the street.

Common Phrasal Verbs using preposition "From": Their Meanings and Their Usage

Here's a list of common phrasal verbs using the preposition "from," along with their meanings and examples of how they are used in sentences:

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example
Break from	To separate or detach oneself from a routine or pattern.	He decided to take a short break from his studies to recharge.
Come from	To originate or be derived from a particular source or place.	The ingredients for the recipe come from local farms.
Recover from	To regain health or strength after an illness or injury.	It took him several weeks to recover from the flu.
Benefit from	To gain an advantage or benefit from something.	Students can benefit greatly from extra tutoring sessions.
Suffer from	To experience something unpleasant or negative.	She suffers from allergies during the spring season.
Learn from	To gain knowledge or understanding from an experience or lesson.	It's important to learn from your mistakes to avoid repeating them.
Differ from	To be distinct or dissimilar from something else.	His opinion differs from mine on that particular matter.
Hide from	To conceal oneself or something from view.	The cat likes to hide from visitors under the bed.
Escape from	To break free or get away from a situation or place.	The prisoner managed to escape from the jail by digging a tunnel.
Protect from	To shield or defend someone or something from harm or danger.	It's important to protect your skin from the sun's harmful UV rays.
Refrain from	To abstain or avoid doing something.	She decided to refrain from eating sweets to improve her health.
Retire from	To withdraw from a particular activity or role, typically due to age or other reasons.	He retired from his position as CEO after decades of service.

Common Phrasal Verbs using preposition "Under": Their Meanings and Their Usage

Below are common phrasal verbs using the preposition "under," along with their meanings and usage examples:

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example
Go under	To become submerged or sink beneath a surface.	The boat went under after hitting an underwater obstacle.
Work under	To be employed or operate within the authority or supervision of someone.	She works under the guidance of a seasoned mentor.
Fall under	To be categorized or classified within a particular group or jurisdiction.	This issue falls under the responsibility of the finance department.
Live under	To reside or dwell beneath or within a specific condition or circumstance.	Many families live under the poverty line in this neighborhood.
Suffer under	To endure or experience hardship or oppression.	The people suffered under the oppressive regime for decades.
Hide under	To conceal oneself or something beneath or within a covering or shelter.	The children hid under the blankets during the thunderstorm.

Common Phrasal Verbs using preposition "Above": Their Meanings and Their Usage

Below are common phrasal verbs using the preposition "above," along with their meanings and usage examples:

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example
Rise above	To overcome or transcend a difficult situation or challenge.	She managed to rise above the criticism and continue her work with confidence.
Hover above	To remain suspended or float in the air just above a surface.	The helicopter hovered above the building, ready to land on the rooftop.
Stand above	To be superior or excel in a particular aspect.	Her leadership skills stand above those of her peers.
Look above	To direct one's gaze or attention upward.	Look above and you'll see a beautiful rainbow stretching across the sky.

Common Phrasal Verbs using preposition "With": Their Meanings and Their Usage

Below are common phrasal verbs using the preposition "with," along with their meanings and usage examples:

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example
Deal with	To handle or manage a situation, problem, or task.	She's good at dealing with difficult customers.
Cope with	To manage or deal effectively with a difficult situation or problem.	It can be challenging to cope with stress during exams.
Agree with	To have the same opinion or be in harmony with someone.	I agree with your assessment of the situation.
Disagree with	To have a different opinion or viewpoint from someone.	I disagree with the decision to cut funding for the project.
Provide with	To supply or furnish someone with something.	The company provided us with new laptops for the project.
Interfere with	To hinder or obstruct the normal course of something.	The bad weather interfered with our travel plans.

Common Phrasal Verbs using "Of" and “Off”: Their Meanings and Their Usage

Here are common phrasal verbs using the preposition "of" and “Off” along with their meanings and usage examples:

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example
Think of	To consider or have something in one's thoughts.	I'm thinking of going on vacation next month.
Consist of	To be composed or made up of particular elements or parts.	The salad consists of lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
Get rid of	To dispose of or eliminate something unwanted.	I need to get rid of these old clothes cluttering my closet.
Break off	To separate or detach from something larger.	She broke off a piece of chocolate and offered it to her friend.
Take off	To remove something, usually clothing or accessories.	Please take off your shoes before entering the house.
Call off	To cancel or abandon a planned event or activity.	Due to bad weather, they had to call off the picnic.
Get off	To disembark from a vehicle or transportation.	We got off the train at the next station.
Cut off	To stop the supply or flow of something.	They cut off the electricity during the maintenance work.
Pay off	To result in a beneficial outcome, especially after effort or investment.	His hard work paid off when he received a promotion.
Brush off	To dismiss or ignore something, often casually.	She brushed off his comments and continued with her work.
Shake off	To rid oneself of something unwanted or troublesome.	He tried to shake off the feeling of unease as he walked home alone.
Back off	To retreat or move away from a confrontation or conflict.	When he saw her anger, he quickly backed off and apologized.
Show off	To display one's abilities or possessions in a boastful manner.	He always tries to show off his new car whenever he can.
Drop off	To deliver or leave someone or something at a specific location.	Can you drop off the package at the post office on your way home?

Common Phrasal Verbs using preposition "Into": Their Meanings and Their Usage

Phrasal verbs with the preposition "into" are quite common in English, and they often convey the idea of transformation, movement, or change. 

Here are some common phrasal verbs with "into," along with their meanings and examples of usage:

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example
Run into	To meet unexpectedly or by chance.	I ran into my old friend at the grocery store yesterday.
Turn into	To change or transform into something else.	The caterpillar turned into a butterfly.
Look into	To investigate or examine something.	The police promised to look into the matter.
Break into	To forcefully enter a building or property illegally.	Burglars broke into our house while we were away.
Get into	To become involved or interested in something.	She got into painting after taking a class at the community center.
Put into	To place something inside something else.	She put the groceries into the fridge.
Tune into	To adjust a radio or television to a specific station or channel.	Don't forget to tune into the news at 9 o'clock.
Log into	To access a computer system or website by entering your username and password.	I need to log into my email to check for any updates.
Buy into	To believe in or accept an idea or concept, often as part of a scheme or investment.	Many people bought into the company's vision for the future.
Divide into	To separate or split something into smaller parts or groups.	The cake was divided into equal portions for everyone.

Common Phrasal Verbs using preposition "Onto": Their Meanings and Their Usage

"Onto" is a preposition commonly used in English phrasal verbs to indicate movement or direction towards a surface or position. 

Here are some common phrasal verbs with "onto," along with their meanings and Usages:

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example
Hold onto	To keep something firmly; to grasp or maintain control of something.	Please hold onto the railing while walking down the stairs.
Move onto	To progress or proceed to the next stage or topic.	After discussing the budget, let's move onto marketing strategies.
Latch onto	To become attached to something or someone, often figuratively.	The new concept quickly latched onto the public's imagination.
Jump onto	To quickly join or participate in something.	She jumped onto the opportunity to work on the new project.
Clamp onto	To attach firmly or tightly to something.	The device clamped onto the edge of the table securely.
Catch onto	To understand or grasp something, often a concept or idea.	It took me a while to catch onto the new software, but now I understand it.
Lapse onto	To fall or slip onto a lower or less desirable level.	The conversation lapsed onto trivial matters after a while.

Common Phrasal Verbs using preposition "By": Their Meanings and Their Usage

Here are common phrasal verbs using the preposition "by" along with their meanings and examples:

Phrasal Verb	Meaning	Example
Go by	To pass or move past a particular point or location.	The train went by so quickly that I almost missed it.
Get by	To manage or cope with a situation, often with difficulty.	During tough times, we had to get by with very little money.
Pass by	To move past or go past someone or something.	I saw my friend while I was walking, but she passed by too quickly for me to say hello.
Live by	To adhere to or follow a particular principle or set of rules.	She lives by the motto 'treat others how you want to be treated.'
Stand by	To be ready or prepared to provide assistance or support.	The firefighters stood by, ready to respond to any emergencies.
Drive by	To pass by a place or location while driving.	We drove by the old neighborhood and reminisced about our childhood.
Drop by	To visit someone casually or briefly, often without prior arrangement.	Feel free to drop by my office anytime if you have any questions.
Come by	To visit or stop by a place.	She came by the house to drop off some documents.

Remember that phrasal verbs can often have different meanings and contexts, so it's essential to consider the context in which they are used to fully understand their meaning.

These phrasal verbs with the preposition cover a range of meanings and can be applied in various contexts for effective communication.