Phrasal Verbs

Unit 3.2 - "Up" meaning "Completing" or "Finishing"

Guess the meanings of the phrasal verbs from context:
1. Don't use up all the milk - we need some for breakfast.
2. It's 5:00 p.m., let's wind up the meeting and go home.
3. I'm glad that my headache cleared up after a good night sleep.
4. We'll have to clear up before my parents come home.
5. Drink your coffee up before it gets cold.
6. After years of neglected health, he ended up with a serious heart problem.
7. In business situations, it is better to follow up a telephone conversation by an email or letter.
All these phrasal verbs have the meaning of "completing" or "finishing". See Explanations ê
Explanations:

Use up

(separable)

To finish a supply of something

>>The earth's resources are being used up at an alarming rate.

Wind up

(separable)

To finish an activity

>>We started to wind up the interview.
>>You need to wind up now, we've only got five minutes.

To close a business or organization

>>Lawyers were called in to wind up the company.

Clear up

(separable)

[For an illness] It goes away

>>After several days the infection started to clear up.
>>I'll give you something which should clear that up very quickly.

To make a place tidy and clean, especially by putting things where they usually belong

>>Can you clear up that mess in the kitchen before you go out?

Drink up (separable)

To completely finish your drink

>>We'd better drink up - it looks like the pub's about to close.

End up

(inseparable)

To finally be in a particular place, state, or situation, especially without having planned it

>>I lost my way while hiking and ended up in a dark forest.
>>He ended up with an alcohol problem.

Follow up (separable)

To increase the effectiveness of something by taking further action

>>We are worried that terrorists will follow up their threats with bomb attacks.

Exercises:
- Complete the sentences with a suitable phrasal verb:
  - Natural resources are being too rapidly. We all have to conserve, otherwise we will with a serious shortage problem.
  - She went shopping and all her money. She having to walk home.
  - It's getting late, let's our coffee and go home.
  - If you make a hotel booking by phone, it with written confirmation.
  - His business was a failure. He having to his company.
- Complete the following conversation:
  - Husband: Good morning. Are you feeling better today?
  - Wife: Yes, my cold seems to have .
  - Husband: Good! I've made you some tea. before it gets cold.
  - Wife: Thank you! Oh! Did you wash all the dishes in the sink?
  - Husband: Yes. I the mess last night before I went to bed.
  - Wife: You're such a darling!

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