In this set, we will look at the most common English phrasal verbs starting with 'A'.

Phrasal Verbs and Collocations - starting with 'A'

Meaning:
- To give a reason or explanation for something. 

E.g:
1) When you return home, you must account for all the years you've been absent. 

2) He accounted for all his exaggerated expenses, but no one believed him

Meaning:
- To want or desire something/someone very much

Examples:
1) He's aching for his next trip around Asia! 

2) Sometimes it gets so lonely that I ache for someone's company or for a conversation.

Meaning:
- To take action;

Examples:
1) The police decided to act on the strange case of a disappeared child. 

2) Your life is only yours and you should learn how to act on it! :)

Meaning:
- To make gestures and action in order to demonstrate something;

Examples:
1) My classmates acted out a scene from Romeo and Juliet in class. 

2) I like to act out words to my students!

Meaning:
- Causing pain or annoyance by behaving or functioning badly;

Examples:
1) My sister used to act up a lot when she was younger, but now she is a very calm teenager. 

2) My knee is acting up again!

Meaning:
- To make sense, to seem reasonable;

Examples:
1) She said she was going to stay at home, yet, my brother saw her at a bar while he was driving.... What is she hiding? Something doesn't add up.....

Meaning:
- To NOT recommend something; 

Examples:
1) I advise you against taking that road at night... it can be very dangerous. 

2) The doctor advised us against going out without a mask.

Meaning:
- To direct towards;

Examples:
1) It's not polite to aim your finger at people!

Meaning:
- To mention, to make reference to INDIRECTLY, IMPLICITLY;

Examples:
1) I don't understand what you are alluding to... You're not being clear.

Meaning: 
- To reach the total of...., to be equivalent to......

Examples:
1) Sir, your total amounts to 500 euros. 

2) Miss, your refurbishment total will amount to 30,000 euros approximately.

Meaning:
- To reply rudely to someone (when, for example, you should remain silent);

Examples:
1) Her mother angrily told her not to answer back! 

2) At work, you should never answer back your superiors.

Meaning:
- To speak on behalf of someone; 

Examples:
1) Sarah didn't attend the meeting. Therefore, I could not answer for her and the final decision had to be postponed.

2) State your opinion! I can't answer for you!

Meaning:
- To plead or to make a request; 
   (a) The pilot appealed to the passengers to remain seated.

- To be attractive or interesting to someone;
  (b) That book doesn't really appeal to me.

Meaning: 
- To send a formal request for something (to obtain/to join/to enter/to start/to participate...)

Examples:
1) Kate finally decided to apply for that job! 

2) I need to go to the bank to apply for a loan.

Meaning:
- To reach a conclusion;
- (also) Arriving at an address;

Examples:
1) We have arrived at the conclusion that we should sell our house.

2) They have finally arrived at an agreement.

Meaning:
- To ask about someone's well-being;

Examples:
1) My grandparents always ask after me when I'm not at home.

Meaning:
- To mention something to people when you meet or see them;

Examples:
1) I wonder if that new pizza place is good - I'll ask around.

2) There's a museum nearby, but I don't have the address - I'll ask around..

Meaning:
- To invite someone to lunch, dinner, a walk...

Examples:
1) Tom asked me out but I'm not sure I'm in the mood today. 

2) I'd like to ask her out, but I'm too shy.

Meaning:
- To take the opportunity; To take advantage of; 

Examples:
1) You're lucky to be bilingual - you should avail yourself of your talent and meet people from all around the world!

Meaning:
- To follow, respect, obey (generally) the rules. 

Examples:
1) New students must adhere to the school's regulations immediately. 

2) We were in another country, so we had to abide by their laws.