20 medical phrasal verbs
When learning Medical English it’s important not only to pay attention to specific medical vocabulary but also to phrasal verbs used by medical professionals, which make the language sound more natural. Here are 20 Medical English phrasal verbs
1️⃣ follow up
To follow up means to check on a patient’s progress or condition after an initial consultation or treatment, to make sure they are recovering or responding well to the treatment.
2️⃣ check up on
To check up on means to examine a patient’s condition or progress.
3️⃣ rule out
To rule out means to eliminate a possibility after thorough examination or consideration.
4️⃣ look into
To look into something means to examine or investigate a medical issue or symptom further.
5️⃣ hold off on
To hold off on something means to delay or postpone an action, treatment, or procedure.
6️⃣ keep up with
To keep up with means to maintain or stay current with a treatment plan or medical progress.
7️⃣ look over
To review or examine something carefully, such as medical records or reports.
8️⃣ cut back on
To cut back on something means to reduce the amount of something, such as medication or unhealthy foods.
9️⃣ cut out
To cut something out means to completely eliminate something from your life or diet, such as a medication or habit.
🔟 build up
To build up means to gradually increase something, such as a treatment or strength.
1️⃣1️⃣ ease off
To ease off means to gradually decrease something, such as medication dosage or the amount of exercise.
1️⃣2️⃣ fill out
To fill something out means to complete a form or document, such as a medical questionnaire or insurance paperwork.
1️⃣3️⃣ go ahead with
To go ahead with means to proceed with a treatment, procedure, or action.
1️⃣4️⃣ bring on
To bring on means to cause or trigger something, such as a symptom or reaction.
1️⃣5️⃣ put off
To put off means to delay or postpone a treatment, action, or appointment.
1️⃣6️⃣ speak up
To speak up means to tell the doctor what concerns or issues you have with your symptoms or treatment.
1️⃣7️⃣ watch over
To watch over means to monitor or observe someone or something closely, such as a patient or medical condition.
1️⃣8️⃣ wash off
To wash off means to clean or remove dirt, germs, or makeup from one’s skin or body.
1️⃣9️⃣ breathe in
To breathe in means to inhale or take in air, often for breathing exercises or medical tests.
2️⃣0️⃣ turn in
To turn in means to hand over something, such as medical paperwork or test results.
Interested in deepening your medical language skills? Don’t miss our article on nursing vocabulary — it’s the perfect complement to your study of medical phrasal verbs!
