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Back:
dig out = to find something you haven’t used, seen, etc, for a long time
My Halloween decorations have been sitting in the attic since last Halloween. In this case, I
want to take them down from my attic.
Front:
Every Sunday, I dig out the old fruits and vegetables from my refrigerator.
Back:
dig out = to remove something or someone
Some of the foods in my refrigerator may be going rotten, and I need to throw them away.
Front:
Charles is planning on digging out the weeds that are infesting his flower beds this month.
Back:
dig out = to remove something or someone
In this example, Charles wants to improve the appearance of his flower beds, so he is going to pull
out the uninvited plants.
Front:
Macy is trying to dig out the splinter in her finger.
Back:
dig out = to remove something or someone
In this case, Macy is working to remove whatever is stuck in her finger.
Front:
The rescue team is doing their best to dig out any survivors beneath the avalanche.
Back:
dig out = to remove something or someone
In this case, a group of mountain climbers are buried under an avalanche. A rescue team is
trying to retrieve anyone who is still alive under the snow.
Front:
The lifeguard jumped in the swimming pool to dig out the poor boy who had trouble
swimming.
MAIRO VERGARA ADVANCED PHRASAL VERBS COURSE
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Back:
dig out = to remove something or someone
Even though the act of digging is more commonly used to describe the act of rummaging through
items such as dirt, sand, or snow, it can also be used to describe removing things from water.
Front:
Tom and I are both going to chip in on our restaurant bill.
Back:
chip in = to contribute some money
In this example, two people are deciding to split the price of their food at a restaurant.
Front:
Sheila paid for most of her school expenses, but she asked her parents to chip in too.
Back:
chip in = to contribute some money
Sheila is trying to pay for her education but needs a little help. She asks her parents to help
support her.
Front:
All of us chipped in to buy Jamie a birthday gift.
Back:
chip in = to contribute some money
In this example, a group of people are donating money to buy their friend Jamie a present.
Front:
Our teacher said we can have a pizza party if our whole class will chip in to pay for the
pizzas.
Back:
chip in = to contribute some money
A class of students wants to have a party, and the teacher will allow it if the students pay for it
themselves.
Front:
If I chip in for this month’s rent, can I stay at your apartment?
MAIRO VERGARA ADVANCED PHRASAL VERBS COURSE
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Back:
chip in = to contribute some money
In this case, I need a place to stay for a while and have a good friend who might let me live with
him / her if I help pay the rent.
Front:
I would like to chip in on this topic.
Back:
chip in = to contribute to a discussion
Imagine a group of people are having a discussion. You might have something to add to the
conversation, and this is a good way to let that be known.
Front:
During the debate, the debaters argued furiously and chipped in even when it wasn’t
their turn to speak.
Back:
chip in = to contribute to a discussion
In this case, there is a political debate on television where the debaters are constantly inter-
rupting each other.
Front:
The student chipped in and shared his thoughts during the history lesson.
Back:
chip in = contribute to a discussion
This example shows a case where a student gives their opinion during a teacher’s lecture.
Front:
I wanted to chip in, but I held my tongue.
Back:
chip in = to contribute to a discussion
Even when you have something to chip in, you don’t always say it.
Front:
I could barely deliver my speech, because the audience chipped in every few minutes.
MAIRO VERGARA ADVANCED PHRASAL VERBS COURSE
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Back:
chip in = to contribute to a discussion
In this example, I had to keep stopping and starting during a speech because the crowd kept
interrupting me.
Front:
I hope our company’s sales pick up this year.
Back:
pick up = to improve
Here, a business is hoping their sales begin to increase.
Front:
The wind speed picked up while the boaters were out at sea.
Back:
pick up = to improve, to increase.
In the example, the speaker is expressing that something started to move faster. The wind, a
car, or even a runner can pick up speed.
Front:
Katie picked up English really quickly.
Back:
pick up = to learn quickly
In this case, Katie became fluent in English in a very short amount of time.
Front:
I picked up on the dog’s hint to leave him alone.
Back:
pick up = to learn quickly
People and animal’s body language give clues as to what they are thinking, and you might be
able to decipher this sometimes.
Front:
I have a package I need to pick up from the post office.
MAIRO VERGARA ADVANCED PHRASAL VERBS COURSE
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Back:
pick up = to collect
In this example, a package for me has arrived at the post office, and I need to go get it.
Front:
Jake picked up his phone after he dropped it on the floor.
Back:
pick up = to collect
When you use your hand to raise an item off of a surface, you are picking it up.
Front:
The cabin TV’s satellite will not pick up Channel 3.
Back:
pick up = to receive (a broadcast)
In this case, a television is not able to display Channel 3 due to bad reception.
Front:
I can’t call the doctor because I can’t pick up any cell phone signal in this area.
Back:
pick up = to receive (a broadcast)
In this case, I can’t make telephone calls on my mobile phone due to bad signal.
Front:
I have to pick up my brother from the barber shop on my way home from the grocery store.
Back:
pick up = to collect (a person). This differs from the ‘collect a thing’ meaning - as that means
‘collect and bring back’ whereas this means either (i) ‘collect and drop off on your way’ or (ii)
‘collect and bring to the same destination’.
In this example, I’m out shopping. On my way home, I’m going to give my brother a ride home the
barber shop.
MAIRO VERGARA ADVANCED PHRASAL VERBS COURSE
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Front:
Can you pick me up on your way to church?
Back:
pick up = to collect (a person). This differs from the ‘collect a thing’ meaning - as that
means ‘collect and bring back’ whereas this means either (i) ‘collect and drop off on your
way’ or (ii) ‘collect and bring to the same destination’.
Here, a friend is asking me if I will drive him / her to church with me.
MAIRO VERGARA ADVANCED PHRASAL VERBS COURSE