Beyond Phrasal Verbs for ESL Learners: Mastering English Phrasal Verbs in Context: Focus on English: ESL Reference Series

Back down (inseparable): 1. Means to give up; to shy away from, usually, some kind of challenge

Ask over (separable): 1. Usually used to invite someone to one’s home

Catch on (inseparable): 1. To understand, to learn, as in this example: The German Shepherd dog is very smart. It catches on quickly and is easy to train.
More examples:
(1) The new worker caught on quickly.
(1) He was a smart student who could catch on quickly.

Carry out (separable): 1. Complete or finish something, as in this example: The sales group carried out their mission to increase sales. Sales were up 25%. 2. To follow or obey a command, order, or request, as in this example: The commander of the military asked his soldiers to carry out his command.
More examples:
(1) The president of the company asked the manager if he could complete the project on time. The manager said that he could carry out the request without a problem.
(2) The police dog was expected to carry out the command of his trainer.

Call off (separable): To cancel or postpone, as in this example: They called off the concert because of the bad weather. 2. Request that someone or something stops doing something and returns, as in this example: The military commander called off its troops because there was no longer a threat by the enemy.

Call in (separable): 1. Request to assemble, as in this example: The manager called in the workers for a meeting. 2. To make a telephone call usually in a business or formal setting, as in this example: Jon didn’t feel well so he called in sick.

Bump into (inseparable): To meet by surprise, as in this example: I bumped into my teacher while I was in town. 2. To run into lightly, as in this example: I bumped into one of the other passengers while on the bus.

Brush up (inseparable): 1. To review something for the purpose of becoming familiar with it again, as in this example: In order to get my driver’s license, I had to brush up on my driving skills again.
More examples:
(1) I need to brush up on my Mandarin Chinese before we travel to China.

The couple decided to break off their wedding engagement because they decided they would not be happy together.
The farmer broke off a branch of a tree and used it to make a mark on the ground.

Break off (separable): 1. To stop something that was ongoing; to quit doing something, as in this example: Our company broke off relations with the company from New York. 2. To separate something from another thing by twisting or tearing, as in this example: Alex broke off a piece of bread and then ate it.