Lesson 4: Phrasal Verbs with Multiple Meanings
The Importance of Context
One of the most challenging parts of mastering phrasal verbs is that a single phrasal verb can have several different, unrelated meanings. How do you know which one is being used? The answer is context1. The words and situations surrounding the phrasal verb are the key to unlocking its correct meaning2. This lesson will show you how to identify the right definition based on the situation.
Key Examples of Multi-Meaning Phrasal Verbs
Let's explore some common phrasal verbs that have distinct3 meanings. Pay close attention to the example sentences.
1. To Take Off
- Meaning A: To leave the ground (for an aircraft).
Example: The plane will take off for Bangkok in 20 minutes. - Meaning B: To remove something (usually clothing).
Example: It was hot, so I decided to take off my jacket. - Meaning C: To become successful or popular very quickly.
Example: The new café in Kampot really started to take off during the high tourist season.
2. To Make Up
- Meaning A: To invent a story or excuse.
Example: He was late, so he had to make up a story about traffic. - Meaning B: To reconcile or become friends again after an argument.
Example: After their disagreement, the two friends talked and decided to make up. - Meaning C: To constitute or form a whole.
Example: International tourists make up a large part of the visitors to Bokor Mountain.
3. To Run Into
- Meaning A: To meet someone unexpectedly.
Example: I was so surprised to run into my old teacher at the market in Kampot! - Meaning B: To collide with something (e.g., in a vehicle).
Example: Be careful when you park your moto, you don't want to run into another one.
In Conversation
Dara and Vanna are talking about their day.
Vanna: How was your meeting with the manager?
Dara: It was difficult. I was late, so I had to make up an excuse about my moto breaking down.
Vanna: Oh no! Did you have an argument? Is that why you had to make up?
Dara: Haha, no! Not that meaning. I didn't need to 'become friends again'. I had to 'invent' a story! The context is important.
Vanna: I see! English is tricky. It reminds me of yesterday, I went to the market and I managed to run into our old friend, Piseth. It was great to see him.
Dara: That's lucky! Better to run into a friend than to run into a wall!
quiz Check Your Understanding
1. "Her business really started to take off." What does 'take off' mean here?
- a) To remove clothing
- b) To leave the ground
- c) To become successful
Click to see the answer
Answer: c) To become successful
2. "Women make up 60% of the university's students." What does 'make up' mean here?
- a) To invent a story
- b) To form a whole
- c) To become friends again
Click to see the answer
Answer: b) To form a whole (constitute)
3. "I didn't want to run into my boss on my day off." What does 'run into' mean here?
- a) To collide with
- b) To meet unexpectedly
- c) To jog towards
Click to see the answer
Answer: b) To meet unexpectedly
edit Your Mission
- Write Your Own Sentences: In your notebook, choose ONE meaning for each phrasal verb (take off, make up, run into) and write your own original sentence. Try to use a local Kampot or Cambodian context!
- Context is Key: Write a short story (2-3 sentences) where a character has to "make up" an excuse.
- Find Another One: Use a dictionary to find another phrasal verb with at least two meanings. Write down the verb and two example sentences in your notebook. A good one to search for is "get over".
book Lesson Glossary
- Context (noun) - Khmer: បរិបទ - The situation, events, or information that are related to something and that help you understand it. ↩
- Meaning (noun) - Khmer: អត្ថន័យ - The idea or thing that a word, sign, or sentence represents. ↩
- Distinct (adjective) - Khmer: ដែលខុសគ្នា - Clearly separate and different. ↩