Top 10 Phrasal Verbs for Sports and Exercise in English

1. go long

- used when playing catch or throwing a ball.

- the combination of go + long, meaning run far away or run a long distance away

Example: I’m gonna pass this next one to you, so go long.

2. try out for

- to audition in sports or to audition for a team or to apply to be a member of a team

- to show your athletic ability or to test to join a team

Example: She says she’s going to try out for volleyball next year.

3. work up (a sweat)

- to cause your body to sweat because of exercise or doing anything active

Example: I try to work up a sweat at least twice a week.

4. root for

- used in sporting events which means to support a team

Example: I’m going to root for my country’s soccer team.

5. work off

- to talk about calories

- to exercise with the intention of taking away or burning calories away

Example: I want to work off the cake I ate for dessert last night.

6. cheer on/ cheer for

- very similar to root for, but this phrase usually mean using the body to support the team (shouting/ dancing)

- it’s usually used before a team name

Example:

I’m going to cheer on my high school team.

I’m going to cheer for my college team.

7. knockout / K.O.

- to throw  punch to cause someone to lose consciousness or going to sleep/ it appears they fall asleep

- primarily used in boxing

- it means they fall down and they don’t get back up

- it can also be used outside sports, usually for fights

Example:

He won the match by a knockout.

I saw a guy get knocked out outside the bar last night.

8. work out

- it has no connection to actually working

- it means to exercise

Examples:

I want to work out 3 times a week.

Do you want to work out with me tonight?

9. warm up

- to increase body temperature before you begin an exercise or physical activity

- this is done to prepare your body before doing a physical activity

Example: I want to do a five-minute warm up before I go jogging.

10. cool down

- the opposite of warm up

- means cooling the body temperature, reducing the energy levels after a workout

Example: I think it’s important to take five minutes to cool down after you workout.