Phrasal verbs are a really important part of the English language, especially for spoken English

language, especially for spoken English.
In our Phrasal Verbs reference

section you can find hundreds of the most commonly used phrasal verbs clearly explained with example sentences and fun quiz questions to test your understanding.
 

+ preposition. Think of them as you would any other

English vocabulary. Study them as you come across them, rather than trying to memorize many at once. Use the list below as a reference guide when you find an expression that you don't recognize. The examples will help you understand the meanings. If you think of each phrasal verb as a separate verb with a specific meaning, you will be able to remember it more easily. Like many other verbs, phrasal verbs often have more than one meaning

and preposition combination which, when combined, changes the meaning of

the main verb into something else.  Most students of English find them difficult because sometimes the idiomatic uses either make no sense at all, or the meaning change is so drastic that even a good guesser has no idea what they mean. 

or multi-word verbs. 
Whatever you call them, you should know some

basic truths regarding phrasal verb usage.  First of all, they are often used in a literal sense. That is, the combination of the verb with the preposition leads to a logical understanding. There are times when the meaning is far removed from the original verb and takes on a completely idiomatic usage. 

'separated' from the preposition that forms the phrasal verb. The

following examples illustrate the problem.
Example: Turn off the TV.
Example: Turn the TV off.
As seen above, some phrasal verbs can be separated with the object of the verb coming between the main verb and the preposition. It's important to know and remember, however, that some phrasal verbs can NOT be separated, and the verb and preposition must remain together. 

that the object comes before the adverb. 
Example: They allowed the boy through.
NOT: They allowed through the boy.
When dealing with

transitive verbs and the object is a pronoun, then the pronoun comes before the adverb. 

a little too much to take in at one time,

then I suggest coming back and doing a page or two at a time. My intentions are to include exercises along with some timely theory lessons to help you solidify your knowledge of phrasal verbs.  For more information regarding prepositions and phrasal verbs, click on the preceding link.

saw the dog, he backed away.
 
back down
 withdraw,  concede defeat
 Local authorities backed down on

their plans to demolish the building.
 
back up
1) give support or encouragement 2) make a copy of (file, program, etc.)
 1) If I tell the boss we've got too much work, will youback me up?  2) It is recommended to back up all files in a secure location.
 
bank on
 base your hopes on someone/something
 Don't forget the date. I'm banking on your help.

 
 

statistics.
 
black out
 faint, lose consciousness
 When he fell off the horse he blacked

out.
 
block off
 Separate using a barrier.
 The area was blocked off during the demonstration.
 
blow up
1) explode;  2) be destroyed by an explosion
 1) The terrorists said the bomb would blow up at 9 o'clock.  2) The car blew up but luckily there was nobody in it.
 
boil down to
 be summarized as
 The problem boils down to a lack of money.

give my a few minutes to boot up the computer.
 
break away
 escape from

captivity
 A few horses broke away from the paddock.
 
break down
1) go out of order, cease to function 2) lose control of one's emotions
 1) John's car broke down so he had to take the bus.  2) The parents broke down when they heard the bad news.
 
break into
 enter by force
 Burglars broke into the house around midnight.
 

the assembly.
 
calm down
 become more relaxed, less angry or upset
 He was

angry at first but he eventually calmed down.
 
carry on
 continue
 He carried on gardening in spite of the rain.
 
carry out
1) do something as specified     (a plan, an order, a threat) 2) perform or conduct (test, experiment)
1) The plan was carried out to perfection. 2) Tests are carried out to determine the efficiency of a new drug.
 
carry over
 postpone until later
 As regards holidays, can you carry over any days from one year   to the next?

at dealing with difficult customers.
 
die down
 calm down, become less strong
 When the applause died

down, she started to sing.
 
do without
 manage without
 The shops are closed so we'll have to do withoutsugar.
 
drag on
 last longer than expected
 We expected a short speech but it dragged on and on!
 

Christmas the workload generally eases off.
 
end in
 finish in a certain way;

result in
 Their marriage ended in divorce.
 
end up
 finally reach a state, place or action
 If he continues his misconduct he'll end up in prison.
 
even out
1) eliminate differences of opinion. 2) become level or regular
 1) After a long discussion they managed to even outtheir differences.  2) The road was evened out  to make it safer.