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Cheer Up! Phrasal Verbs and
Emotions |
When was the last time you experienced a wide range of
emotions over something – from sadness to happiness, or
even a sense of relief when a problem was solved?
Perhaps you moved to a new city or returned home. Maybe
you lost or gained something valuable. Or you may have
overcome a serious personal issue or enjoyed success
after defeat.
If you are like most people, there are things in life
that can take your emotions in many directions. And, in
English, there are a lot of phrasal verbs to help
express those emotions. Today we will tell you about
some of them.
You will remember that a phrasal verb is a verb made of
two or more words: a verb and a preposition or adverb,
or both.
Phrasal verbs for emotions can be used in many different
situations. But let’s begin with a situation that is
very relatable: a family gathering.
In many countries, extended families gather only a few
times each year. Children and their parents join up with
one or more grandparents, aunts, uncles and other
relatives. They often gather in one place, perhaps
someone’s home, to enjoy a special dinner and quality
time as a family.
And, with everyone together, things are not always
perfect. There are almost guaranteed to be many
reactions -- laughter, smiles, maybe even some crying.
Get to
Loosen up
OK, now imagine that a large family is seated together
at a dining table. They are having that special meal.
As they eat, predictably, the talk turns to work and
careers. Everyone praises one of the youngsters for
getting accepted to a university. They praise another
family member for landing a job they worked hard to get.
But then, the talk turns to a young man and his sister.
The brother has some interesting words about her career.
Listen to this short exchange:
Brother: Next month, Zadie is going to culinary school!
Haha, culinary school! Let us know how that goes.
Zadie: You know, your jokes are really getting to me.
Maybe you should loosen up. Not everyone wants to be an
engineer. And, by the way, I’m planning to become an
executive chef!
Zadie’s brother’s words got to her. If something “gets
to” you, it bothers you and fuels anger. She tells her
brother to “loosen up” – to be more easy-going, to
lighten up – about her personal choices.
A few other family members then show support for Zadie’s
decision. They tell her how much they wish they had
followed their dreams at her age.
Calm down
Lash out at
Now, at the other end of the table, a heated exchange is
taking place.
Uncle Louis has strong opinions and loves to speak his
mind at family dinners. Some family members like his
openness. Others find him obnoxious. They think he is
being a pain.
Listen to a short exchange:
Uncle Louis: …And that’s why, even though the lamb roast
looks great, I’m not having any. Red meat is bad for the
climate. Starting tomorrow, all of you should make a
plan to--
Niece: Uncle Louis, you’re giving me a headache! You
always say things at the wrong time! Let the rest of us
enjoy the meal, please.
Uncle Louis: OK, OK, but calm down. It’s fine that you
disagree. But that’s no reason to lash out at me. Now,
can we shake hands and agree to disagree?
Niece: Uh...OK, sure.
Uncle Louis had told his niece to calm down. To "calm
down" means become less emotional or excited – or to
help someone else to feel this way.
“Calm down” is often used in imperative statements: It
is used as a command. In imperative statements, we
usually do not separate the words "calm" and "down." But
in other kinds of statements, the verb may be separated
by an object.
You may recall that some phrasal verbs are separable –
they can be separated by objects.
We could, for example, say, “The father calmed his baby
down by singing to her.” The words “his baby” are the
object.
Uncle Louis also tells his niece not to lash out at him.
Did you understand the meaning of “lash out at”? Listen
to the sentence again:
It’s fine that you disagree, but that’s no reason to
lash out at me.
To “lash out at” someone means to make a sudden and
angry attack on them.
Get over
Cheer up
Back at the center of the table, Grandpa is remembering
the way things used to be. Let’s listen in:
Grandpa: I don’t think I’ll ever get over the fact that
I only see you all a few times every year. I remember
when we all lived in the same state. (sighs)
Michelle: Aww, Grandpa, cheer up. You are always
welcomed to stay with us in Washington. We have an extra
bedroom…with a television. And don’t forget, there is
video chat! I talk with Zadie on video all the time.
Michelle tells her grandfather to cheer up. To “cheer
up” means to become happier or to make someone else
happier. In most imperative statements, we do not
separate the words “cheer” and ”up.” But in other
statements, the verb can be separable. For example, one
could say, “I’m cheering Grandpa up.” The word “grandpa”
is the object.
Choke up
Now, it’s time for the big news of the family gathering.
Let’s listen:
Shawn: I have an announcement to make: We’re having a
baby! A little girl. She’s due in late June.
Aunt: Oh my goodness, Shawn. That’s exciting. I’m so
happy for you that I could cry. See, now I’m choking up.
To “choke up” means to have difficulty speaking because
of strong emotions. In American English, we often put
the verb “get” before “choke up.” We also often add the
word “all.” Let's hear how that sounds:
See, now I’m getting all choked up.
When we say it this way, the words “choked up” act as an
adjective.
There are a lot of ways to express emotions in English.
And phrasal verbs can help us express them more fully.
I’m Alice Bryant.
Alice Bryant wrote this story for VOA Learning English.
George Grow was the editor.
Now you try it!
Use the Facebook Comments section below to try
using a few of these phrasal verbs in statements or
questions. |
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