Practice Phrasal Verbs (练习短语动词)

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Here are some definitions + example sentences for each word or phrasal verb, a short story that uses many of them together, and finally a dialogue.

📚 Definitions & Example Sentences

Word / Phrasal Verb	Definition	Example Sentence
nailing down	Finalising or securing the decisions/answers/details of something or from someone.	We’re still nailing down the agenda for tomorrow’s meeting. • I tried to nail him down on the price, but he kept avoiding the question. • The reporter nailed the politician down to a direct answer. • Can you nail her down to a time for the meeting?
go through	To review carefully or experience something.	“Let’s go through the contract before signing.”
agree to	To accept or consent to something.	“They finally agreed to the new terms.”
hammered out	Worked out or negotiated something after long discussion.	“After hours of debate, they hammered out a deal.”
settle on	Decide on one option after considering others.	“We finally settled on the blue design.”
come to	Reach a decision or realisation.	“We’ve come to a conclusion about the proposal.”
count you in	Include someone in an activity or plan.	“If you’re free tonight, I’ll count you in for dinner.”
go along with	Accept or agree with something, often without protest.	“She didn’t like the idea but decided to go along with it.”
rule something out	Exclude or eliminate something as an option.	“We can rule out Friday for the meeting; everyone’s busy.”
won the others round	Persuaded others to agree with you.	“His passionate speech won the others round.”
talk someone round	Persuade someone to change their mind.	“I’ll try to talk her round about coming with us.”
gave in	Finally yielded or stopped resisting.	“After hours of arguing, he finally gave in.”
come round to	Change one’s mind and start agreeing.	“She didn’t like the plan at first but has come round to it.”
backed down	Retreated from a position or stopped insisting.	“He finally backed down after seeing he was wrong.”
bow to	Submit or yield to something.	“The company had to bow to public pressure.”
settle for	Accept something less than what was hoped for.	“We didn’t get our first choice of venue but had to settle for the second.”
smoothed things over	Made a disagreement or tense situation better.	“She apologised and smoothed things over with her friend.”

📝 Short Story Using Many of Them

Sophie was organizing a charity event. At first, no one could decide on the venue. After hours of discussion, they finally hammered out a list of options. Sophie wanted the park, but the weather forecast was bad, so they had to rule that out.

They settled on a community hall instead. Not everyone liked the idea, but they agreed to go along with it for now. Sophie then started nailing down the guest list, the schedule, and the catering.

Her friend Tom wasn’t keen at first, but she managed to talk him round, and her enthusiasm eventually won the others round too. In the end, even the town mayor, who had resisted the plan, finally came round to supporting it.

One sponsor demanded big changes, but Sophie refused to bow to the pressure. The sponsor eventually backed down. And when tensions rose between volunteers, Sophie smoothed things over with kindness and humour.

They didn’t get their first-choice speaker but decided to settle for a local celebrity instead. When everything was ready, Sophie said, “Thanks for your help. I’ll count you all in for the after-party!”

💬 Dialogue Using the Phrasal Verbs

Sophie: We’ve almost nailed down the event plan. Can you help me go through the checklist?

Tom: Sure. I wasn’t keen at first, but you’ve really talked me round.

Sophie: Great! We still need to settle on the catering. Any suggestions?

Tom: The Italian place is expensive, but maybe we can settle for their smaller menu.

Sophie: Good idea. The mayor’s office has backed down on their demands too.

Tom: That’s a relief. I thought we’d have to bow to their conditions.

Sophie: Me too. But I’m glad everyone’s starting to come round to the plan now.

Tom: Count me in for whatever you need.

Sophie: Perfect! Let’s keep the momentum going and smooth things over with the sponsors tomorrow.

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