Most phrasal verbs are only two words, such as "bring up", "look into", or "find out". In this case, these two words together have a different meaning than the verb alone. For example, "bring up" can mean "mention", which is different than the meaning of "bring" by itself.
However, there is another category of phrasal verb that is much smaller, which are three-word phrasal verbs. These phrasal verbs require you to say three words together to have a new meaning. For example, "put up with" is a three-word phrasal verb that means "tolerate". This meaning of "tolerate" is much different than the meaning of "put" by itself. If you say only "put up" then it does not have the meaning of "tolerate" - it must have all three words together: "put up with.
Three-word phrasal verbs are always transitive, which means that you have to include a noun as an object at the end of the phrasal verb, even if the object is just "it":
I hate the humidity outside. I can't put up with. - incorrect (there is no noun as an object)
I hate the humidity outside. I can't put up with humidity. - correct ("humidity" is the object)
I hate the humidity outside. I can't put up with it. - correct (the pronoun "it" is the object)
List of 10 Useful Three-Word Phrasal Verbs
Come up with (an idea) = to generate an idea, plan, strategy, way etc. by thinking about it
I need to come up with a title for the book that I'm writing
We quickly came up with a way to solve the problem
The government came up with a plan to boost the economy.
Put up with (something negative) = to tolerate something unpleasant
I have to put up with my neighbor's loud music.
Thank you for putting up with my complaining.
We have to put up with construction on our street this month.
Get along with (someone) = to have a good relationship with someone
I get along with my boss and coworkers.
Thankfully, my wife gets along with my mom.
My cat doesn't get along with my dog.
Make up for (a mistake) = to compensate for a mistake or bad experience
I complained about the small hotel room and they made up for it by moving us to a bigger one.
We are very sorry for sending you the wrong product. We will make up for it by sending you the correct one for free.
My husband forgot our anniversary but he made up for it by surprising me for my birthday a month later.
Get back to (someone) = to contact someone later as a reply
James isn't available right now but if you give me your number he can get back to you later today.
I left a message with my financial advisor but he hasn't gotten back to me yet.
She didn't have the information with her when I called so she's going to get back to me when she finds it.
Look up to (someone) = to admire a person as a role model
As a kid, I always looked up to my dad.
Many children look up to professional athletes.
The players look up to their coach. They know she is a great leader.
Look forward to (something) = to feel excited about something in the future
I look forward to seeing you again soon.
We look forward to your wedding!
I'm already looking forward to my next vacation.
Stand up for (someone/something) = to defend someone or something that is being criticized
My older brother always stood up for me if someone was bullying me in school.
My manager stood up for me when a customer was yelling at me in the store.
We have to stand up for our civil rights and protest against the government.
Live up to (expectations) = to successfully meet high expectations
It's amazing that she was able to live up to expectations.
The only way that I could live up to my parents' expectations was by getting perfect grades.
The President was popular at first but he hasn't been able to live up to expectations and will probably lose the next election.
Come down with (an illness) = to start feeling sick due to an illness
I can't go to work today. I've come down with the flu.
My brother came down with food poisoning while traveling abroad.
I need to stay home with my son today. He came down with a fever.
If you found this lesson useful, how about learning 90 more phrasal verbs, and 100 idioms too? Check out my book "The Most Common Business Idioms and Phrasal Verbs" to understand and start using the real language of the business world!
Practice
Choose the correct option for each set of phrasal verbs:
come up with / put up with / get along with / make up for / get back to
I don't __________ my sister. We always fight.
If you want to live in the city, you have to _____________ bad traffic.
I'm sorry that I forgot to invite you. I'll _______________ my mistake!
I'm in a meeting right now but I'll _______________ you later this afternoon.
For my school project I have to ______________ a new business idea.
look up to / look forward to / stand up for / live up to / come down with
Some people __________ celebrities because they also want to be famous.
Make sure you wash your hands so that you don't ___________ a virus.
I hope the newest version of our product will __________ our customers' expectations.
She is a lawyer who will always__________ people who are being unfairly treated.
Thank you for reading my proposal. I ____________ your feedback.
Answers
come up with / put up with / get along with / make up for / get back to
I don't get along with my sister. We always fight.
If you want to live in the city, you have to put up with bad traffic.
I'm sorry that I forgot to invite you. I'll make up for my mistake!
I'm in a meeting right now but I'll get back to you later this afternoon.
For my school project I have to come up with a new business idea.
look up to / look forward to / stand up for / live up to / come down with
Some people look up to celebrities because they also want to be famous.
Make sure you wash your hands so that you don't come down with a virus.
I hope the newest version of our product will live up to our customers' expectations.
She is a lawyer who will always stand up for people who are being unfairly treated.
Thank you for reading my proposal. I look forward to your feedback.