Learn English phrasal verbs, collocations & expressions
The natural English native speakers actually use — the phrases textbooks skip — with clear meanings, real examples, and speaking practice. Free to browse.
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More ways to explore
Confusing phrasal verbs39 verbs
Same verb, totally different meanings — get, come, take. See exactly when to use each.
getcomegolook
Same phrase, many meanings203 phrases
Maps for phrases like “pick up”, where learners often choose the wrong sense.
act upadd upback upblock out
How to say what you mean50 ideas
Start from the feeling or situation, then learn the phrase a native actually reaches for.
Annoyed but staying politeAsking for clarificationAsking for helpAsking someone to repeat
Learn through story
See these phrases in context — short, leveled English stories you can actually finish.
Make it stick — with a free account
Save phrases to a spaced-repetition review deck, practise them out loud with instant AI feedback, and follow a personal study path.
Create a free account →Questions about learning English
- What are phrasal verbs and why are they hard?
- A phrasal verb is a verb plus a particle (up, off, into…) whose meaning you often can't guess from the parts — 'pick up', 'take off', 'get on'. They're hard because one verb splits into many unrelated meanings, so learners pick the wrong one. Browsing by verb and by meaning makes the differences clear.
- What is the best way to learn English collocations?
- Learn them in chunks, not single words — 'make a decision', not 'do a decision'. Read the phrase in a real example, say it out loud, then practise it in your own sentence. Grouping collocations by everyday topic (work, money, relationships) helps you recall the right one when you need it.
- Is the SpeakUp phrase library free?
- Yes — every phrase, meaning map, and story is free to browse with no account. A free sign-in adds saving phrases to a spaced-repetition review deck, speaking practice with AI feedback, and a personal study path.
- How do I say what I mean in natural English?
- Start from the idea or feeling — 'exhausted', 'annoyed but polite', 'asking for help' — and learn the phrase a native speaker actually reaches for, with the right tone. The 'How to say it' pages group phrases by the situation you're in so you can find the natural option fast.