It is sometimes possible to get an idea of the meaning of a multi-part verb from its particle, because some particles are associated with areas of meaning, for example:
ON – touching/ attaching/ starting/ continuing / progressing
I wish you wouldn’t put on so much lipstick! He went on talking as if nothing had happened.
UP –an upward movement/ an increase/ an improvement/ completing/ ending/ approaching
We left early, just as the sun was coming up. Sales have gone up in the past year. We used up all the
eggs when we made the cake. A taxi drew up just as we were thinking of calling one.
DOWN – a downward movement/ a decrease/ completing/ ending/ stopping
The teacher told the pupils to sit down. That music is too loud! Turn it down. Business was so bad that
the shop had to close down.
IN/INTO –an inward movement/ including/ being involved
The spectators poured into stadium. We’d better let her into the secret.
OFF –movement away/ detaching/ preventing entry/ separating/ not including
We set off at midday. They’ve fenced off their garden to keep dogs out.
AWAY –continuous activity
The secretary kept typing away, ignoring the noise outside.
BACK –returning / reference to past time
I’ve given back the tools I borrowed. This photo brings back memories of when I was young.
TROUGH –completing/ doing thoroughly
I need to think this through before I decide.
OUT –an outward movement/ not being inside/ excluding/ completing/ doing thoroughly
Let’s eat out this evening. The double glazing helps to shut out the noise. It took me hours to clean
out that room.
