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Phrasal Verbs

Unit 7.2 - "Back" meaning "Repeating" or "Reciprocating"

  • Guess the meanings of the phrasal verbs from context:

     

    1. I was shocked at the way Junko's children answered her back.  It was so rude.

    2. Every time he had a setback, he just bounced back and carried on.  He never gave up.

    3. You can't let your husband bully you.  You have to fight back.

    4. I am going to pay him back for all the nasty practical jokes he played on me.

    5. His father hit him hard on his face, but he struck back, knocking down his father's glasses.

     

    All these phrasal verbs have the meaning of "repeating" or "reciprocating".  See Explanations ê

  • Explanations:

 

Answer back

(separable)

To reply rudely to someone [e.g. a child to a parent] 
>>In the past, children were not allowed to answer their parents back.

Bounce back

(inseparable)

To start to be successful again after a period of failure 
>>
Will the Giants bounce back from last week's defeat?

Fight back

(inseparable)

To defend yourself when someone or something attacks you or causes problems for you 
>>He might be 70 years old, but don't underestimate his ability to fight back.

Pay back

(separable)

To do something unpleasant to someone because they have done something unpleasant to you; to take revenge on someone 
>>I'm going to pay him back for all those things he said about me.
Strike back (separable) To attack someone who has attacked you; to hit in retaliation 
>>In the past, women could not strike back at violent husbands.

 

  • Exercise:

     

    • Complete the following sentences using suitable phrasal verbs:

       

      • Teenagers these days always their parents .

       

      • The baseball team suffered 2 losses but then they and won 3 games straight.

       

      • A:  Why are you so mean to John?

        B:  I am just him for all the mean things he did to me!  I am .

         

      • A:  I heard that in India, women who at their violent husbands are severely punished.

        B:  I can't believe it!  I think Indian women should !

       

<Back to Module 7    Go to Unit 7.3>

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