IELTS Vocabulary Topics Family & Society

Phrasal Verbs for IELTS: Family & Society

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grow up

Definition

To develop from childhood into adulthood.

Examples

Children who grow up in a stable family environment often feel more secure.
Many people who grow up in rural areas move to cities for education or work.

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grow up
To develop from childhood into adulthood.
Examples
- Children who grow up in a stable family environment often feel more secure.
- Many people who grow up in rural areas move to cities for education or work.
bring up
To raise and care for a child until adulthood.
Examples
- Parents have a responsibility to bring up children with strong values.
- It can be difficult to bring up children in a society with rising living costs.
look after
To take care of someone or something.
Examples
- Grandparents often look after children when both parents work full-time.
- Societies need better support for people who look after elderly relatives.
take after
To resemble a family member in appearance, behaviour, or character.
Examples
- She takes after her mother in both confidence and kindness.
- Children often take after their parents, especially when they grow up in the same household.
get along with
To have a friendly or peaceful relationship with someone.
Examples
- It is easier to live under one roof when family members get along with one another.
- Teenagers may not always get along with their parents because of the generation gap.
fall out with
To stop being friendly with someone because of an argument or disagreement.
Examples
- Siblings sometimes fall out with each other over inheritance or family responsibilities.
- People may fall out with relatives when old conflicts remain unresolved.
make up with
To become friendly again after an argument.
Examples
- He eventually made up with his brother after years of silence.
- Families should encourage children to make up with one another after minor disputes.
grow apart
To gradually become less close to someone over time.
Examples
- Friends and relatives may grow apart when they live in different countries.
- Couples sometimes grow apart because of work pressure and poor communication.
break up
To end a romantic relationship or marriage.
Examples
- Many young couples break up because they are not ready for long-term commitment.
- When parents break up, children may need emotional support.
get back together
To restart a romantic relationship after separating.
Examples
- Some couples get back together after resolving their differences.
- It is not always wise to get back together if the relationship was unhealthy.
move out
To leave the family home or a shared home and live somewhere else.
Examples
- Young adults often move out when they start university or get a job.
- High rents make it harder for many people to move out of their parents' home.
move back in
To return to live in a previous home, especially with family.
Examples
- Some graduates move back in with their parents because housing is too expensive.
- After losing his job, he had to move back in with his family.
run away from home
To leave one's family home secretly or suddenly, often because of conflict or distress.
Examples
- Teenagers may run away from home when they feel unsafe or misunderstood.
- Support services are needed for children who run away from home.
take someone in
To allow someone to live in one's home, especially when they need help.
Examples
- Relatives may take someone in after a family crisis.
- Communities often admire families who take vulnerable children in.
stand by
To support someone during a difficult time.
Examples
- A strong family will stand by its members during illness or unemployment.
- People often rely on close friends to stand by them when relatives are far away.
stick together
To remain united and support one another.
Examples
- Families that stick together can cope better with hardship.
- Communities need to stick together during periods of social tension.
lean on
To depend on someone for emotional or practical support.
Examples
- Elderly people often lean on their children for daily assistance.
- During a crisis, people should be able to lean on their family and friends.
turn to
To go to someone or something for help, advice, or support.
Examples
- Many teenagers turn to their friends before speaking to their parents.
- Single parents may turn to extended family for childcare support.
open up to
To speak honestly about one's feelings or personal problems.
Examples
- Children are more likely to open up to parents who listen without judgment.
- People struggling with family conflict may find it hard to open up to others.
shut someone out
To refuse to communicate with someone or include them emotionally.
Examples
- Teenagers sometimes shut their parents out when they feel misunderstood.
- Shutting someone out can make family tension worse over time.
look up to
To admire and respect someone.
Examples
- Children often look up to older siblings as role models.
- Young people need adults they can look up to in their family and community.
look down on
To think someone is inferior or less worthy of respect.
Examples
- Society should not look down on people from poorer backgrounds.
- Some families look down on unconventional career choices, which can create conflict.
fit in with
To feel accepted by a group or behave in a way that matches it.
Examples
- Young people often try hard to fit in with their peers.
- Migrants may need time to fit in with a new community.
stand out from
To be noticeably different from others.
Examples
- Some children stand out from their classmates because of unusual talents or interests.
- In a conservative community, anyone who rejects traditional norms may stand out from the crowd.
mix with
To spend time with or interact socially with other people.
Examples
- Children should mix with people from different backgrounds.
- Schools can help students mix with classmates outside their own social group.
keep up with
To stay informed about or move at the same pace as someone or something.
Examples
- Parents sometimes struggle to keep up with their children's digital lives.
- Older people may find it difficult to keep up with rapid social change.
catch up with
To talk to someone after a period of not seeing them, or to reach the same level as others.
Examples
- Families often catch up with relatives during festivals and weddings.
- Disadvantaged students may need extra support to catch up with their peers.
reach out to
To contact someone in order to offer or ask for help, support, or communication.
Examples
- Schools should reach out to parents when students show signs of distress.
- People experiencing social isolation should be encouraged to reach out to someone they trust.
help out
To assist someone, especially with practical tasks.
Examples
- Older children often help out with domestic responsibilities.
- Neighbours may help out when a family is facing an emergency.
count on
To rely on someone or expect them to help.
Examples
- People should be able to count on their family during difficult times.
- Children need adults they can count on for stability and guidance.
let someone down
To disappoint someone by failing to help or do what was expected.
Examples
- Parents may feel guilty when they believe they have let their children down.
- A weak social care system can let vulnerable families down.
pass down
To give traditions, values, knowledge, or possessions to a younger generation.
Examples
- Families pass down cultural traditions through stories, festivals, and daily habits.
- Grandparents often pass down values that shape children's moral upbringing.
carry on
To continue doing something or continue a tradition, habit, or activity.
Examples
- Many families carry on traditions that began several generations ago.
- Young people may carry on family businesses even when they have other career options.
break away from
To separate oneself from a group, tradition, pattern, or influence.
Examples
- Some young adults try to break away from restrictive family expectations.
- Education can help individuals break away from cycles of poverty.