Phrasal verbs for relationships

Today's lesson is about phrasal verbs we use to describe relationships. Keep reading to learn how to talk about family relationships, friendships and romance. 

get on (with) = have a good or friendly relationship with
I love my job because I get on really well with all my colleagues.
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look after = take care of
Can you look after the children while I go to the shop?

take after = have a similar appearance or personality to a parent (or grandparent) because of DNA
Wow! You really take after your dad! You look just like him!
 
hit it off = have an instant connection when you meet
We were in the same class and really hit it off! Now we're best friends.

fall out (with) = have an argument and stop being friendly
She fell out with her best friend last week and hasn't spoken to her since.

make (it) up (with) = become friendly again after falling out
I often argue with my brother but we always make it up again afterwards.

look up to = admire or respect
He's a great boss and everybody looks up to him.

look down on = feel superior to someone or lack respect
Sarah looks down on people who don't have as much education as she does.

drift apart = gradually become less close with time
They drifted apart when John moved to London.

ask out = invite someone on a date
He really likes her but he's too shy to ask her out.

go out (with) = be in a romantic relationship with
She has been going out with him for a couple of months.
(This phrasal verb can just mean not stay at home. It depends on the context. If I say I'm going out with Peter tonight, maybe we are just friends, but I've been going out with Peter for a couple of months means he's my boyfriend.

break up / split up = end a romantic relationship
She's very upset because her boyfriend has just broken up with her.

settle down = choose a long-term relationship rather than a series of relationships
She had lots of boyfriends when she was younger but now she wants to settle down and start a family.

cheat on = have a relationship with somebody who is not your girlfriend, boyfriend, husband or wife
She found out that her husband was cheating on her.

If you like this post, you may also like this one: phrasal verbs for talking about telephone calls.