Sports often involve specific actions and events that are best described using phrasal verbs. To better communicate your sports experiences, we’ve collected 20 phrasal verbs related to sports. Learn these verbs to express yourself accurately and fluently during your athletic conversations.
Here is the list of 20 Phrasal Verbs related to Sports:
- Warm up
- Work out
- Cool down
- Try out
- Drop out
- Catch up
- Keep up
- Fall behind
- Knock out
- Kick off
- Send off
- Take on
- Give up
- Cheer on
- Pass up
- Drop back
- Miss out on
- Join in
- Fill in
- Call off
Sports Related Phrasal Verbs with Their Meanings & Examples
Warm up
Meaning: To prepare the body for exercise or a game by doing gentle exercises.
Example: It’s important to warm up before starting your workout.
Work out
Meaning: To exercise to improve health and fitness.
Example: He works out at the gym every day after work.
Cool down
Meaning: To perform gentle exercises after intense physical activity.
Example: After running, it’s crucial to cool down properly.
Try out
Meaning: To test or audition for a place in a sports team.
Example: She’s trying out for the school’s basketball team this year.
Drop out
Meaning: To leave a competition before finishing it.
Example: He had to drop out of the race due to an injury.
Catch up
Meaning: To reach the same level or position as others.
Example: He’s trying to catch up with the leader of the race.
Keep up
Meaning: To maintain the same pace as others.
Example: She found it hard to keep up with her teammate’s speed.
Fall behind
Meaning: To fail to maintain the same pace as others.
Example: He fell behind after the first few laps of the race.
Knock out
Meaning: To eliminate an opponent from a competition.
Example: The team was knocked out of the tournament in the semi-finals.
Kick off
Meaning: To start a game or event, especially in soccer.
Example: The match will kick off at 3 PM.
Send off
Meaning: To dismiss a player from a game for misconduct.
Example: The referee sent off two players for fighting.
Take on
Meaning: To compete against or face an opponent.
Example: Our team will take on last year’s champions in the final.
Give up
Meaning: To stop trying or concede defeat.
Example: Even though they were losing, they refused to give up.
Cheer on
Meaning: To encourage and support a team or player.
Example: Fans gathered in the stadium to cheer on their favorite team.
Pass up
Meaning: To decline or refuse an opportunity or offer.
Example: She couldn’t pass up the chance to compete in the marathon.
Drop back
Meaning: To move to a position further behind.
Example: He dropped back to let his teammate take the lead.
Miss out on
Meaning: To lose the opportunity to participate in something.
Example: She missed out on the competition due to an injury.
Join in
Meaning: To participate in an activity with others.
Example: He joined in with the group for a friendly game of soccer.
Fill in
Meaning: To temporarily replace an absent player or member.
Example: The coach asked me to fill in for an injured player.
Call off
Meaning: To cancel an event or activity.
Example: The coach called off the game because of heavy rain.
