They Are Not Random

Phrasal verbs terrify learners because they seem arbitrary. "Give up," "give in," "give out," "give away" — same verb, four different meanings. But there is a hidden system.

Once you see the pattern, phrasal verbs become predictable. "Figure out" means to solve — you are getting the answer out of a problem. "Break down" means to collapse — something falls down. "Come up with" means to produce an idea — the idea rises up to the surface.