Phrasal verbs: hobbies and new skills

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April 18, 2024

Yesterday we wrote an informal letter about taking up a new hobby.

In the model answers I noticed these useful phrasal verbs and idiomatic expressions related to learning new skills.

Take up: To start a new hobby or activity. Example: "I've decided to take up painting."
Pick up: To learn or acquire a new skill or knowledge informally and often without much effort. Example: "She picked up Spanish while traveling in South America, just by chatting with locals."
Brush up on: To improve one's knowledge or skills in a particular area. Example: "I need to brush up on my Spanish before the trip."
Get into: To become interested or involved in a hobby or activity. Example: "He's been getting into photography lately."
Keep at: To continue doing something despite difficulties or setbacks. Example: "Don't give up, just keep at it!"
Work on: To spend time improving a skill or ability. Example: "I'm working on my cooking skills."

Idioms

To have a go (at): To attempt or try something, often without being entirely sure of success. Example: "I've never played golf before, but I'm willing to have a go."
To learn (or show someone) the ropes: To learn how to do a particular job or activity. Example: "I've never been kayaking before so I need someone to show me the ropes".
To get the hang of something: To become skilled or proficient at something. Example: "At first, skateboarding seemed difficult, but after a few tries, I got the hang of it."
Trial and error: The process of experimenting with different methods until one finds the most effective one. Example: "Learning to cook involves a lot of trial and error, but it's worth it in the end."
Practice makes perfect: Regular practice leads to improvement. Example: "Don't worry if you're not great at the guitar yet. Remember, practice makes perfect!"
Back to square one: To return to the starting point of something. Example: "After messing up the recipe, I had to go back to square one and start over."

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