Phrasal Verbs: Phones and Technology

In this lesson, we will focus on eight phrasal verbs which are extremely common in English when we talk about phones and technology. Phrasal verbs need to be learned in phrases. We have included real-life examples so that it is easier for you to fix in your mind how they are used.

Try to understand phrasal verbs, but also use them in your own speaking and writing. 

Whenever you are reading anything in English, make notes of any phrasal verbs you find and write them down in complete phrases or sentences. 


PULL SOMETHING OUT | PULL SOMETHING OUT OF SOMETHING 
to take something out of somewhere by pulling 

Examples: 

• My hands are dirty. Can you please pull my phone out of this pocket and call Jessica? 
• She wasn't sure how to find the store so she pulled her phone out of her handbag and found the address on the map.  

PICK UP | PICK SOMETHING UP 
to answer a phone 
to receive an electronic signal (radio) 

Examples: 

• I couldn't pick up my phone because I was carrying too many shopping bags and I was on my way home. 
• You can pick up hundreds of stations 24 hours a day. 

CUT SOMEBODY <-> OFF 
to interrupt somebody who is speaking on the telephone by breaking the connection 

Example: 

• We were cut off in the middle of the call. 
• Sorry we were cut off. I took the lift and lost signal. 

PUT SOMEBODY/SOMETHING THROUGH TO SOMEBODY 
If you put a person or call through, you connect someone to the person they want to speak to on the telephone. 

Examples: 

• Can you put me through to the HR department, please? 
• Could you put me through to the manager, please? 

GET THROUGH 
to make contact with somebody by telephone

Examples: 

• I was trying to call you this morning but I couldn't get through - the line was engaged. 
• I finally got through to my mother after getting three busy signals. 
• After calling twice, I finally got through, but they told me they didn't have the book in stock. 
• Her colleagues tried to reach her on her mobile but they didn't manage to get through to her. 
• I couldn't get a signal on my cell phone while travelling so no one could get through to me for a few hours. 

HANG UP - HUNG UP - HUNG UP 
to end a telephone conversation by putting the telephone receiver down or switching the telephone off 

Examples: 

• I received a phone call from an unknown number so I hung up on it. 
• I called my Internet service provider to report a problem, but after saying he would check and call me back, he hung up on me without saying goodbye. 
• If you receive any unwanted calls, you can hang up or silent the call. 

PLUG INTO | PLUG SOMETHING INTO SOMETHING 
to connect a computer to a computer system 
to connect a piece of equipment to an electricity supply or to another piece of equipment 
​​
Examples: 

• All our computers are plugged into the main network. 
• When you buy a printer, you need to install it. To do that, you need to plug your printer into your computer using a USB cable. Make sure that the printer is close enough so that the cable can easily reach your computer. 

TOP UP 
to increase the amount of something (e.g. money) to the level you want or need 

Examples: 

• ​I need to top up my mobile phone. (= pay more money so you can make more calls) 
• I'm using a prepaid mobile service so when I need to recharge, I top up my credit over the phone or via text. 

Exercise 

Complete the sentences with a phrasal verb from the list below. Use the correct form of the verb: 
pull out, cut off (x2), get through (x2), hang up (x4), put through, plug into, top up (x2), pick up (x2) 
​

1. Sorry, I have to .................... now. I need to buy a train ticket. 
2. I was .................... for not paying my phone bill. 
3. It's rude to .................... the phone without saying goodbye.  
4. Every time I try to get through to my friend, his phone goes to voicemail. 
5. I .................... my phone and took a few pictures while I was travelling by taxi. 
6. Please hold the line, I'm .................... you .................... 
7. Your printer must be .................... a power source. 
8. My mobile is pay-as-you-go so I have to .................... my credit from time to time. 
9. Let me speak to her before you .................... 
10. Hi again. Sorry we were .................... I was calling you to ask you about tomorrow's meeting. 
11. I tried calling you several times this morning but I couldn't .................... 
12. Sorry, I couldn't call earlier. I forgot to .................... my credit. 
13. I called them on the landline but nobody .................... 
14. My friend .................... the phone without saying goodbye. 
15. We were able to .................... radio stations from far away. 

Answers:
1; hang up; 2. cut off; 3. hang up; 4. get through; 5. pulled out; 6. putting ... through; 7. plugged into; 
​8. top up; 9. hang up; 10. cut off; 11. get through; 12. top up; 13. picked up; 14. hung up; 15. pick up; 


​Click below to read some of our IELTS related lessons:
Causes and Effects of Migration from Rural Ares to Cities 
IELTS: Advantages and Disadvantages of Using the Internet  
Social Media Addiction: Causes, Effects and Possible Solutions 

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Other lessons: 
Business English: Working in an office  
Business English: How to Talk about Your Job Responsibilities
English Lesson: Jobs and Skills 
Collocations with Job (Part 1) 
Collocations with Job (Part 2) 
Commonly Used Phrases in Spoken English 


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