5 Advanced Phrasal Verbs in English to Improve Your Fluency As many of my students will know, I believe learning vocabulary is always easier when learned in phrases or "chunks" of language. So, in this article I want to share 5 phrasal verbs which are frequently used in the English language and will improve your fluency! 1. to brush up on something No, this is not related to cleaning. To brush up on something means to improve or refresh your knowledge of something For example, I need to brush up on my English because I have an exam tomorrow. 2. to cut down on Think of cutting down a tree. By cutting down a tree are you making it smaller or bigger? Smaller of course. To cut down on something means to reduce something For example, I've been eating too much recently. I need to cut down on my calories! 3. to figure out To figure out means to understand something or solve a problem For example, I finally figured out that the answer to 2 + 2 is 4! 4. to run out of something No, it isn't related to running. To run out of something means to have no more of something For example, We ran out of bread. We need to buy some more. and finally... 5. to look forward to To look forward to something means to be excited about something I'm looking forward to my birthday party tomorrow!