10 Common Food-Related Phrasal Verbs Every English Learner Should Know 🍲
- Bri
- May 1
- 3 min read
Dear students,
I hope you're all doing well and staying curious in your English studies!
This week, I’ve been thinking a lot about how food shows up in our everyday language. As a mom who’s always trying to sneak veggies into dinner and a teacher who loves words, I noticed something fun: many phrasal verbs in English are based on food or animals we eat! These expressions are not about cooking or eating—at least not literally—but they add so much flavor (pun intended!) to how we speak.
So, I put together 10 “tasty” food-related phrasal verbs to help you sound more natural and confident in conversations. I’ve included definitions and example sentences, just like we do in our lessons. Let's dig in!
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🎥 Watch the video here:
10 Yummy Food-Related Phrasal Verbs
1. Pan out
Meaning: To turn out or result in a particular way (usually used for outcomes).
Example: I wasn’t sure how the job interview would go, but it really panned out—I got the job!
🍳 Think of panning for gold—you never know if something will turn out well, but when it does, it’s like finding treasure.
2. Clam up
Meaning: To suddenly stop talking, especially because you're nervous or shy.
Example: He clammed up when the teacher asked him a question in front of the class.
🐚 Clams close tightly when they feel threatened—just like some people do!
3. Cut up
Meaning: To cut into small pieces. (Also informally, to behave in a silly or disruptive way.)
Example: Can you cut up the carrots for the salad?
The kids were cutting up in class and couldn’t stop laughing.
✂️ This one can be literal or playful, depending on the situation.
4. Swallow up
Meaning: To completely absorb or take over something.
Example: The big company swallowed up the smaller one in a merger.
The fog swallowed up the entire city.
🐍 It’s like something disappearing into a big mouth—gulp!
5. Chicken out
Meaning: To decide not to do something because you're scared.
Example: I was going to try skydiving, but I chickened out at the last minute.
🐔 Chickens aren’t known for being brave, so we use this for when someone loses courage.
6. Duck down
Meaning: To quickly lower your head or body to avoid being seen or hit.
Example: We ducked down behind the couch when we played hide-and-seek.
🦆 Like a duck lowering its head in the water to hide or search for food.
7. Duck out
Meaning: To leave quickly or secretly, especially to avoid something.
Example: She ducked out of the meeting early to pick up her son.
🏃♀️ Think of it like sneaking away without making a big fuss.
8. Beef up
Meaning: To make something stronger, bigger, or more effective.
Example: The company beefed up its security after the data breach.
🥩 Adding more "meat" to something = making it stronger or more serious.
9. Chew out
Meaning: To scold someone harshly.
Example: My boss chewed me out for being late to the meeting.
😡 This isn’t about food—it’s about “chewing” someone verbally! Be careful with this one—it’s pretty intense.
10. Boil down to
Meaning: To be the main or most important reason or point.
Example: All his problems boil down to poor time management.
🔥 Just like when you boil a soup and it reduces to the main ingredients—this expression simplifies everything to the core.
Final Thoughts 🍽️
Isn’t it fun how language and food are so connected? Using these phrasal verbs can really “spice up” your English and help you express yourself more naturally. If any of these feel confusing, don’t worry—you can review by watching the video lesson. Try to listen for them in TV shows, YouTube videos, or conversations.
And here's a quick challenge for you: Can you write a short paragraph or dialogue using at least three of these phrasal verbs? I’d love to read them!
Happy learning and happy eating!
Love,
Bri 🍎
Your friendly English teacher who’s always hungry for good grammar.
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