Phrasal verbs are a type of multi-word verb that consists of a base verb and one or more particles, which change the meaning of the verb. These can be used as commands to give directions, instructions, or orders.
Phrasal verbs used as commands are often found in imperative sentences, which are used to give a command or make a request. The subject of an imperative sentence is usually not stated, and the verb is often in the base form, without “to” in front of it.
Phrasal Verbs Used as Commands
List of 40+ Phrasal Verbs Used as Commands in English
1. Back away!
Meaning: Move backwards, away from something frightening or dangerous
Example: Back award! A bomb has been discovered by a policeman.
2. Back off!
Meaning: (slang – rude) Stop bothering or threatening someone
Example: I will not keep calm so Back off!
3. Back up!
Meaning: Move backwards; step backwards; drive backwards
Example: Back up! You can’t go up the hill forwards
4. Bear down!
Meaning: Push or press down hard
Example: Bear down! And you will pass the test.
5. Bend down!
Meaning: Lean over and forward; lean down
Example: Bend down and tie your shoelace.
6. Bend over!
Meaning: Lean forward from the waist
Example: Bend over and you will see these tiny things.
7. Breathe in!
Meaning: Take a breath in; take air into the lungs
Example: Breathe in! Place your hands on the small of your back.
8. Breathe out!
Meaning: Take a breath out; push air out of the lungs
Example: Breathe out! And ease your knees in toward your chest.
9. Bugger off!
Meaning: (slang – rude) Go away!
Example: Bugger off, will you? I do not want you here.
10. Butt out!
Meaning: (slang – rude) Don’t interfere
Example: Butt out! It’s none of your business.
11. Buzz off!
Meaning: (slang – rude) Go away!
Example: Buzz off, I’m trying to work!
12. Clean up!
Meaning: Clean yourself or your surroundings
Example: Clean up! Your room is so messy.
13. Carry on!
Meaning: Keep doing what you were doing
Example: Carry on, Jany. We will not interrupt you anymore.
14. Cheer up!
Meaning: Be happier; don’t be sad
Example: Cheer up! Victory is just round the corner.
15. Chill out!
Meaning: Relax; don’t be upset or angry
Example: Chill out! We’ll get there on time!
16. Calm down!
Meaning: Relax, don’t be angry, don’t be upset, don’t be worried
Example: Calm down! There’s nothing to worry about.
17. Close down!
Meaning: Close a shop or business so it is not operating
Example: Close down! I think it’s the reasonable choice for our company now.
18. Come back!
Meaning: Return to where you were
Example: Please come back. I want to make up. I want to be your Valentine.
19. Come down!
Meaning: Move down off something high
Example: “Come down and meet me tomorrow”, he said.
20. Come on!
Meaning: (Encouraging someone) Do what I am telling you to do
Example: Come on, children, it’s time to pack away your toys.
21. Come on!
Meaning: Rushing someone
Example: Move faster, Come on! We don’t have much time.
22. Come in!
Meaning: Enter a closed space
Example: Come in, please! . Don’t wait out in the rain.
23. Come out!
Meaning: Leave a closed space
Example: Come out! or I’ll bust the door down!
24. Come over!
Meaning: Come to my house; come to where I am
Example: Come over! Here’s a seat for you.
25. Come up!
Meaning: Move to a higher place
Example: Come up to the top of the hill with me, you will see amazing view.
26. Cool down!
Meaning: Relax; don’t be upset or angry
Example: Cool down! The soup is too hot.
27. Cover up!
Meaning: Put on more clothes
Example: Cover up, or stay out of the sun.
28. Double up!
Meaning: Form pairs because space or resources are limited
Example: Double up! We’ve only got one room left.
29. Dream on!
Meaning: (slang) I don’t think what you have just said will happen
Example: You think I’m going to help you move house? Dream on!
30. Drink up!
Meaning: Finish your drink
Example: Drink up! and let’s go home.
31. Eat up!
Meaning: Finish your food
Example: Eat up! You’ll be late for school.
32. Fess up!
Meaning: (slang) Confess / admit what you did; tell the truth about what you did
Example: “Come on, Fess up! – it was you who ate that last piece of cake, wasn’t it?
33. Finish up!
Meaning: Finish what you have been doing
Example: Finish up your dinner and you can have dessert.
34. Fuck off!
Meaning: (slang – very, very rude) Go away!
Example: Oh, fuck off! I’m tired of your complaints.
35. Gather around!
Meaning: Make a group and come together in one place
Example: Gather around, friends, and hear the news!
36. Gear up!
Meaning: Get ready to do something
Example: I am now in high school, it’s time gear up for study.
37. Get away!
Meaning: Move away; run away; escape
Example: Get away, you nasty toad!
38. Get down!
Meaning: Come down from a high place
Example: “Get down and don’t move,” the man roared at her.
39. Get in!
Meaning: Go inside something, like a car or bus
Example: Hurry up and get in the car!
40. Get off!
Meaning: Go out of something, like a bus or train
Example: Get off Jack, it seems there is something wrong with this bicycle.
41. Get on!
Meaning: Climb on board something moving or about to start moving, like a train
Example: Get on, we shall miss the plane at this rate.
42. Get out!
Meaning: (slang – rude) Leave this place! (used when angry at someone)
Example: I’ve had it up to here with you – get out!
43. Get up!
Meaning: Become awake; don’t sleep
Example: Get up! Brush your teeth, put on your jeans and go to the office.
Phrasal Verbs Used as Commands | Picture
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