Here are some phrasal verbs that we can use when talking about relationships we have with other people.
Phrasal Verbs about FAMILY
List of Useful Phrasal Verbs Related to Family
- be named after (somebody)
Be given the name of another person
I was named after my grandfather John.
- bring (somebody) up
Look after and influence a child until he or she is grown up
He was brought up by his grandparents.
- fall out with (somebody)
Argue with somebody and stop being friendly with them
My father fell out with one of his brothers and they didn’t speak for years.
- get along/ on (well) with (somebody)
Have a good, friendly relationships with somebody
I don’t get along with my sister – we have nothing in common.
- get together
Meet together, having planned it before
The whole family needs to get together to decide what to do about the trip.
- go by
Prefer to be called by a certain name
My full name is Isabel but I go by Isa. My brother Jonathan goes by John.
- grow apart
Gradually begin to have a less close relationship
He said he and wife Brenda had been growing apart for at least a year.
- grow up
Develop from being a child to being an adult
I grew up in Chicago.
- look after (somebody)
Care for or be in charge of somebody
My eldest sister looked after me very well. She’s an excellent cook.
- look up to (somebody)
Admire somebody greatly
I’ve always looked up to my brother for his courage and determination.
- take after (somebody)
Be similar in character/ appearance to an older family member
Jennie really takes after her mother.
- tell (somebody) off
Criticize somebody for their actions
My dad told me off for swearing.
- come into (something)
Receive money, land, or property from someone after they have died
She’ll come into quite a lot of money when her father dies.
Phrasal Verbs Related FRIENDS & LOVERS
- get on with (somebody)
Have a good relationship with somebody
I get on very well with James.
- fall out with (somebody)
No longer speak/ be friends with somebody after having an argument
Carrie’s always falling out with people.
- make up (with somebody)
Reconcile or end a dispute with somebody
I fight with my brother all the time, but we always make up soon afterwards.
- go out (with somebody)
Be in a romantic relationship with somebody
We went out for a meal and then on to a movie.
- break up (with somebody)
End a relationship with somebody
The couple broke up last year.
- hang out (with somebody)
Spend time with somebody
I spent a lot of time listening to records and just hanging out with friends.
- meet up (with somebody)
Meet someone in order to do something together
We often meet up after work and go for a drink.
- fall for (somebody)
Fall in love
That was the summer I worked at the fairground, and met and fell for Lucy.
- split up
End a relationship
Steve’s parents split up when he was four.
- bump into (somebody)
Meet by accident
I bumped into Jean in town.
- give (somebody) up
Stop having a friendship with somebody
I knew deep down that I should give him up.
- hit it off
Have a good relationship from the first time you meet a person
I knew you’d hit it off with Mike.
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