The Meaning of Prepositions and Adverbs in Phrasal Verbs

In some cases, the lexical meaning of a phrasal verb can be understood if the influence of the used preposition or adverb upon the meaning of the verb in other phrasal verbs is known.

In particle phrasal verbs⁽¹⁾, along with "round", "around" ↓:

• around; everywhere:
  • I looked about the room, and noticed it was lightsome enough.
• close, not far:
  • She is somewhere about.

In particle phrasal verbs, along with "about" ↑ (see also difference between "around" и "round"):

• around; everywhere:
  • I looked round the garden and just instantly fell in love with it.
• close, not far:
  • she is somewhere round.
• indicates aimlessness of action, idleness or wasted time doing something:
  • He just sits around all day doing nothing.

In particle phrasal verbs:

• return; towards the starting position :
  • I will be back soon.
  • I think back to what you said.
  • Your hair will grow back.
• retention; restriction of forward movement; limitation of development:
  • The failure held the work back.
• outside the base of the event; aside:
  • Don't stay back from meeting this time, we will wait for you.

In prepositional phrasal verbs⁽²⁾:

• along with the preposition "up" ↓ (see Down vs. Up): along something; deep into something:
  • to walk down the street
  • to travel down the country

In particle phrasal verbs:

• wearing, dressing (of clothes, jewelry):
  • She had on a sweater.
  • He threw on a hat and ran away.
  • Try it on.

In particle phrasal verbs:

• upward:
  • to look up at the stars
  • to get up (rise, lift, hoist)
• increase, rise:
  • Our sales went up.
  • to turn up the heat (add heat)
• completeness:
  • The time is up.
  • Drink up your coffee. (Finish your coffee.)
  • Why did you use up all the money?
• bringing to the proper form (to settle, repair, wrap, tie, etc.) :
  • I need to dress up to impress my coworkers.
  • I will fix you up. (I will put you in order.)
  • Do up your coat. (Zip your coat.)
  • You must wrap up your books.
• approaching:
  • Move up to me.

In prepositional phrasal verbs:

• climbing something; towards the source, center, etc:
  • to go up the hill
  • to get up the tree
• along with the preposition "down" ↑ (see "Up vs. Down"): along something; deep into something, somewhere:
  • to walk up the street
  • to move up the forest

In prepositional phrasal verbs:

• back and forth, along something:
  • to walk up and down the street

• Dictionary of English Phrasal Verbs