Turn Down - Break Up

A phrasal verb is a verb that is made up of a main verb together with an adverb or a preposition, or both. Typically, their meaning is not obvious from the meanings of the individual words themselves.

The phrasal verb to turn down has several meanings:

to turn down -- means to turn the switch on a machine (e.g. an oven, radio, etc.) so that it produces less heat, sound etc. (opposite to to turn up).

Example

Can you turn down the TV? I'm trying to study.

I'll turn down the heater. It's too hot in the room.

to turn down -- means to refuse an offer, request, or invitation.

Example

Ann offered Peter the job but he turned it down.

to turn down -- means to refuse someone's offer of marriage.

Example

We were shocked to hear that Lilly turned him down.

if the economy turns down -- it means that the level of activity falls, companies become less profitable etc.

Example

After the crisis in 2008, the economy has turned down.

The phrasal verb to break up has several meanings:

to break up -- means to break into a lot of small pieces.

Example

The vase just broke up in my hands.

to break up -- means to separate something into several smaller parts.

Example

I think that their intention is to break up our company into several smaller ones.

to break up -- means to stop a fight.

Example

Their mom was the one to break up fights.

to break up -- means to make people leave a place where they have been meeting or protesting.

Example

Police broke up the demonstration.

to break up (with) (when speaking of marriage, group of people, or relationship) -- indicates that the people in this relationship separate and do not live or work together anymore.

Example

I was so sad to hear that my favorite band broke up.

James broke up with Kate last year.

Guided Practice

Use to turn down when you turn the switch on a machine so that it produces less heat, sound etc.

Could you .................... the TV, please? I can't hear you.

Use to turn down when you refuse an offer, request, or invitation.

Sorry, but I have to .................... your invitation. I've been very busy lately.

Use to turn down when a person refuse someone's offer of marriage.

Fred is a mess after Cindy .................... him ..................... He had even bought a ring.

Use to break up when you separate something into several smaller parts.

If there are too many students, they'll .................... us .................... into smaller groups. You can learn English when there are 50 people in one room.

Use to break up (with) to indicate that the people in this relationship separate and do not live or work together anymore.

It was a mutual decision to .................... for Tim and Annie. They both have outgrown their relationship.

Short Story using Phrasal Verbs Turn Down - Break Up

–Have you heard the latest news?

–No, what's up?

–Sam and Alice broke up!

–What? No way! How did it happen?

–Apparently, Sam proposed to Alice in public and she turned him down.

–That's heartbreaking. I thought they were going to get married soon. They had been talking about that for months!

–I know! Their break up is a sad news for everyone.

Independent Practice

Fill in the gaps with turn down or break up. You can change the form if necessary.

Emily .................... the offer because she didn't want to move to another state.
Do you mind if I .................... the music? It's a bit distracting.
I asked July for help but she .................... me ..................... I don't know what to do now.
If the company .................... , Todd will lose his job.

Match the sentences.


a. I am afraid that we have to turn down your offer.	1. The police is breaking up the people in front of the parliament building.
b. Breaking news!	2. I'll get a new one.
c. I'm sorry! I must have broken it up.	3. It is not financially feasible for us right now.

Answer the questions.

Do you turn down your friends' requests?
Would you ask a stranger to turn down the music in his headphones?
Do you believe that the majority of couples breaks up within a month?

Turn Down - Break Up

Guided Practice

Short Story using Phrasal Verbs Turn Down - Break Up

Independent Practice

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