Learn Phrasal Verbs with Stories 

Our minds LOVE stories and it makes it easier for us to remember new words and phrasal verbs. Let us show you a fun way to master 10 phrasal verbs with this fun story! 

Activity Instructions:

• Step 1: Read the phrasal verb story below
• Step 2: Learn the meaning of the phrasal verbs
• Step 3: Review the story again to see how much better you understand the story!

Step 1: Read the Phrasal Verb Story

What an Exausting Trip!  

Last year we decided to take 6 weeks off (time away from work) of work so we could travel to Ecuador. After 3 flights we had finally arrived in Ecuador but had to stay in a hotel overnight. In the morning we had to take off (leave) from our hotel at 9 AM so that we had enough time to go through security and get our tickets before our plane took off (left the ground) at noon to reach our final destination on the coast.

Once we were in the air, high above the mountains, the plane started to make a strange noise. It sounded like one of the engines was acting up (having a technical problem). We were hoping nothing as going to go wrong but I was definitely thinking that the mechanics should track down (find) the source of the noise; because the entire flight I was thinking over (think about) all of the horrible things that might happen if there was a problem with the engine of the airplane.

About halfway through the flight, I decided to take off (remove) my jacket and use it as a pillow against the side of the airplane because I was feeling run down (low on energy) after so much time traveling. Just as I was about to fall asleep, a little girl started to act up (misbehave) and was crying. Although I’m complaining about the flight and the plane, I’m not trying to run down (talking badly) the airline. The staff were really friendly and after all, we did arrive safely to our destination.

Step 2: Learn the Meaning of Each Phrasal Verb from the Story

When you read that story, maybe you understood some of the phrasal verbs but it was difficult to understand exactly what the story was about.

Below, you will find 10 audio lessons with examples to help you understand the meaning of each phrasal verb.

Phrasal Verb 1: Act Up #1

→ Read the examples from this lesson by downloading the PDF.

Click Here to Get these 20 FREE Phrasal Verb Lessons!

Phrasal Verb 2: Act Up #2

Phrasal Verb 3: Think Over

Phrasal Verb 4: Take Off #1

Phrasal Verb 5: Take Off #2

Phrasal Verb 6: Take Off #3

Phrasal Verb 7: Take Off #4

Phrasal Verb 8: Run Down #1

Phrasal Verb 9: Run Down #2

Phrasal Verb 10: Track Down

Step 3: Review the Phrasal Verbs Story 

Now that you have studied the lessons related to this story with phrasal verbs, it is time to challenge your understanding of English Phrasal Verbs by hearing them used in context with one of our interesting phrasal verb stories.

Don’t worry, our transcription has the phrasal verb being used with the meaning marked beside it so you don’t get confused with the phrasal verbs that have multiple meanings 🙂

Story Transcript: 

Last year we decided to take 6 weeks off (time away from work) of work so we could travel to Ecuador. After 3 flights we had finally arrived in Ecuador but had to stay in a hotel overnight. In the morning we had to take off (leave) from our hotel at 9 AM so that we had enough time to go through security and get our tickets before our plane took off (left the ground) at noon to reach our final destination on the coast.

Once we were in the air, high above the mountains, the plane started to make a strange noise. It sounded like one of the engines was acting up (having a technical problem). We were hoping nothing as going to go wrong but I was definitely thinking that the mechanics should track down (find) the source of the noise; because the entire flight I was thinking over (think about) all of the horrible things that might happen if there was a problem with the engine of the airplane.

About halfway through the flight, I decided to take off (remove) my jacket and use it as a pillow against the side of the airplane because I was feeling run down (low on energy) after so much time traveling. Just as I was about to fall asleep, a little girl started to act up (misbehave) and was crying. Although I’m complaining about the flight and the plane, I’m not trying to run down (talking badly) the airline. The staff were really friendly and after all, we did arrive safely to our destination.

The English Phrasal Verb Course

The lessons that you studied today are from the Phrasal Verb Course. This course currently has 260 audio based lessons and 25 phrasal verb stories. We add new lessons every month! Each lesson has a comment area where you can practice using the new phrasal verbs you are learning and get feedback.