Advanced Phrasal Verbs Related to Health

Welcome back, English learners! Today’s lesson is filled with valuable knowledge to help you sound more natural and fluent in English, especially when discussing health-related topics. Whether you’re preparing for proficiency exams or just aiming to elevate your conversational English, this post will guide you through 10 essential phrasal verbs related to health. These phrasal verbs are commonly used, and you’ll likely come across them in real-life conversations, especially when discussing illnesses or wellness.

Let’s dive into the topic!

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1. Get over something

Meaning: To recover from an illness or a difficult experience.

If you’ve been sick or had a rough time, you’ll be glad when you finally “get over” it. This phrase is a way to describe overcoming an illness or challenge and returning to normal life.

For example:

• “It took me a week to get over the flu, but I’m feeling much better now.”
• “After months of treatment, John has finally gotten over his illness.”

In health contexts, “getting over” a sickness means your body has fought it off, and you are on the road to full recovery.

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2. Come down with something / Go down with something

Meaning: To become ill with a sickness, usually minor.

When you start feeling unwell and catch a cold or flu, you can use this phrasal verb to explain your condition. “Coming down with” or “going down with” something suggests that you’ve caught an illness and need rest to recover.

For example:

• “I think I’m coming down with a cold, so I might need to stay home tomorrow.”
• “Sarah went down with the flu and had to miss the family gathering.”

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3. Get through something

Meaning: To survive or manage to deal with something difficult, like an illness.

When you face a challenge or illness, and you push through it to the end, you are “getting through” it. This is often used for more severe illnesses or tough situations.

For example:

• “It was a tough few weeks, but I managed to get through the illness.”
• “After battling a severe infection, she finally got through it.”

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4. Pick something up

Meaning: To catch an illness or infection, usually accidentally.

You might have “picked up” a virus or bacteria from a public place like a gym, plane, or swimming pool. It often happens when you are in contact with others or exposed to an unsanitary environment.

For example:

• “I think I picked up a cold from the office last week.”
• “He picked up an infection while traveling and had to see a doctor.”

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5. Cut something out

Meaning: To stop consuming or doing something, especially for health reasons.

When your doctor tells you to improve your diet, they may advise you to “cut out” unhealthy foods, meaning you should eliminate them entirely from your routine.

For example:

• “My doctor told me to cut out sugar completely to improve my health.”
• “If you cut out processed foods, you’ll feel a lot better.”

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6. Cut down on something

Meaning: To reduce the amount of something, usually for better health.

Sometimes, you don’t need to remove something entirely from your life, but cutting back can improve your health. For example, instead of cutting out all carbs, your doctor may suggest cutting down on them.

For example:

• “I’m trying to cut down on caffeine to help me sleep better.”
• “If you cut down on fatty foods, you’ll notice a big difference in your energy levels.”

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7. Throw up

Meaning: To vomit or be physically sick.

Throwing up is something that happens when your body rejects food, often due to food poisoning, illness, or stress.

For example:

• “I felt awful last night and ended up throwing up.”
• “He threw up after eating something that didn’t agree with him.”

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8. Swell up

Meaning: To become larger or inflamed, especially due to injury or infection.

If part of your body becomes bigger due to an injury, allergic reaction, or infection, we say it “swells up.”

For example:

• “After twisting my ankle, it swelled up like a balloon!”
• “My hand swelled up after the bee sting.”

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9. Pass out

Meaning: To faint or lose consciousness.

When someone “passes out,” it means they briefly lose consciousness. This can happen due to dehydration, heat, or seeing something that makes them uncomfortable.

For example:

• “She passed out during the meeting because the room was too hot.”
• “He passed out after giving blood, but he felt better after resting.”

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10. Come round

Meaning: To regain consciousness after fainting.

After someone passes out, we use “come round” to describe when they regain consciousness. This phrase indicates that the person is recovering and becoming aware again.

For example:

• “She came round quickly after fainting, and we gave her some water.”
• “Once he came round, we made sure he was comfortable and rested.”

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Wrapping Up

Learning phrasal verbs related to health not only improves your English fluency but also helps you communicate better about personal and public health situations. These phrases are commonly used in both casual and professional settings, especially when discussing symptoms, recovery, or wellness.

Let’s recap the ten key phrasal verbs we’ve learned today:

1. Get over something – Recover from an illness or experience.
2. Come down with something / Go down with something – Become ill.
3. Get through something – Survive an illness or tough situation.
4. Pick something up – Catch an illness or infection.
5. Cut something out – Eliminate something from your routine, especially unhealthy food.
6. Cut down on something – Reduce the amount of something, usually for health reasons.
7. Throw up – Vomit.
8. Swell up – Become inflamed or swollen.
9. Pass out – Faint or lose consciousness.
10. Come round – Regain consciousness.

By incorporating these phrasal verbs into your everyday English, you’ll find it easier to express yourself in a wide range of health-related conversations. Don’t forget to practice these phrases by making your own sentences and using them when speaking or writing.

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Ready to learn more?
If you enjoyed this lesson and want to continue improving your English, feel free to check out more resources or join me for further lessons at English with Janet. Keep practicing, stay healthy, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!