Here are 30 phrasal verbs with **use** and their detailed explanations, all in English. Each phrasal verb is accompanied by its **base meaning**, **extended meaning**, and **two example sentences** to help understand how it’s used.
1. **use up** – **to consume completely**
**Base meaning:** “use” means “to employ or consume something.”
**Extended meaning:** “up” adds the idea of finishing or exhausting the supply of something.
• _I used up all the milk this morning._
• _We need to buy more paper; it’s all used up._
2. **use up on** – **to deplete on a specific activity or thing**
**Base meaning:** “use” means “to employ or consume something.”
**Extended meaning:** “up on” suggests using something completely for a particular purpose.
• _She used up all her energy on the hike._
• _He used up all his savings on the new car._
3. **use for** – **to employ for a specific purpose**
**Base meaning:** “use” means “to employ something.”
**Extended meaning:** “for” indicates the purpose or reason for using something.
• _I use this tool for fixing my bike._
• _What do you use this machine for?_
4. **use against** – **to employ something in opposition to someone**
**Base meaning:** “use” means “to employ something.”
**Extended meaning:** “against” suggests using something as a weapon or in opposition to someone or something.
• _He used her own words against her in the argument._
• _They plan to use that evidence against him in court._
5. **use up in** – **to consume in a particular activity or situation**
**Base meaning:** “use” means “to consume something.”
**Extended meaning:** “up in” suggests something is used until it is gone, within a specific context.
• _All the water was used up in fighting the fire._
• _She used up her free time in helping others._
6. **use up by** – **to consume completely by a certain method or action**
**Base meaning:** “use” means “to consume.”
**Extended meaning:** “by” indicates the means by which something is used completely.
• _The battery was used up by leaving the lights on all night._
• _His resources were used up by constant travel._
7. **use up with** – **to consume with a specific tool or method**
**Base meaning:** “use” means “to consume.”
**Extended meaning:** “with” indicates the means or method by which something is used completely.
• _She used up the paint with a new roller._
• _All the fuel was used up with the generator running non-stop._
8. **use up before** – **to consume completely before a deadline or event**
**Base meaning:** “use” means “to consume.”
**Extended meaning:** “before” indicates the time frame in which something is used up.
• _We used up all the resources before the project was even halfway done._
• _The fuel was used up before they reached the destination._
9. **use on** – **to apply to a specific object or person**
**Base meaning:** “use” means “to employ.”
**Extended meaning:** “on” indicates the target of the use.
• _I used the ointment on my injury._
• _This program is used on all computers in the office._
10. **use in** – **to employ within a certain field or context**
**Base meaning:** “use” means “to employ.”
**Extended meaning:** “in” specifies the field or situation where something is applied.
• _This formula is used in chemistry._
• _She uses her experience in teaching children._
11. **use up over** – **to consume completely over a period of time**
**Base meaning:** “use” means “to consume.”
**Extended meaning:** “over” indicates a period of time during which something is consumed.
• _We used up all the flour over the holiday season._
• _He used up all his strength over the course of the race._
12. **use over** – **to employ or consume something more than once**
**Base meaning:** “use” means “to employ.”
**Extended meaning:** “over” adds the sense of repetition or multiple uses.
• _She used the same material over and over in her presentation._
• _You can use this type of paper over for multiple printings._
13. **use alongside** – **to employ together with something else**
**Base meaning:** “use” means “to employ.”
**Extended meaning:** “alongside” indicates using two things together.
• _The software is used alongside other management tools._
• _You can use these supplements alongside your regular diet._
14. **use aside** – **to put something aside after use or for future use**
**Base meaning:** “use” means “to employ.”
**Extended meaning:** “aside” adds the sense of setting something aside after it has been used.
• _She used the book and set it aside for later._
• _He used the tools and then put them aside._
15. **use out** – **to exhaust or wear something out through frequent use**
**Base meaning:** “use” means “to employ.”
**Extended meaning:** “out” adds the sense of something being worn out or exhausted through overuse.
• _I used out my favorite shoes by wearing them every day._
• _The machine has been used out and needs replacement._
16. **use in place of** – **to substitute something for something else**
**Base meaning:** “use” means “to employ.”
**Extended meaning:** “in place of” adds the sense of substituting one thing for another.
• _You can use honey in place of sugar in this recipe._
• _They used recycled materials in place of new ones._
17. **use as** – **to employ something for a particular purpose or role**
**Base meaning:** “use” means “to employ.”
**Extended meaning:** “as” indicates the purpose or role for which something is employed.
• _She uses her phone as a calculator._
• _He used a rock as a paperweight._
18. **use off** – **to consume a part of something but leave the rest**
**Base meaning:** “use” means “to employ or consume.”
**Extended meaning:** “off” adds the sense of taking part of something.
• _She used off half of the cake for the party._
• _We used off a portion of the supplies but saved the rest._
19. **use down** – **to consume or deplete something to a lower level**
**Base meaning:** “use” means “to consume.”
**Extended meaning:** “down” adds the sense of reducing or decreasing through use.
• _They used down the water supply quickly during the drought._
• _The energy reserves were used down after several hours of operation._
20. **use together with** – **to employ two things simultaneously**
**Base meaning:** “use” means “to employ.”
**Extended meaning:** “together with” adds the sense of combining two things in use.
• _The two medications can be used together with no issues._
• _He used the new software together with the old system._
21. **use beyond** – **to employ something beyond its intended purpose**
**Base meaning:** “use” means “to employ.”
**Extended meaning:** “beyond” adds the sense of exceeding normal or intended use.
• _She used her skills beyond her role at the company._
• _The tool was used beyond its design limits._
22. **use ahead of** – **to employ something before a certain event or time**
**Base meaning:** “use” means “to employ.”
**Extended meaning:** “ahead of” adds the sense of using something in preparation for an upcoming event.
• _They used the presentation tools ahead of the big meeting._
• _The report was used ahead of the budget discussion._
23. **use under** – **to employ something under certain conditions**
**Base meaning:** “use” means “to employ.”
**Extended meaning:** “under” specifies certain conditions or circumstances for use.
• _This device is only safe to use under expert supervision._
• _The medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor._
24. **use through** – **to employ something throughout a process or period of time**
**Base meaning:** “use” means “to employ.”
**Extended meaning:** “through” adds the sense of continuous use over a period of time.
• _We used the same strategy through the entire project._
• _The software was used through the duration of the campaign._
25. **use down to** – **to consume something completely, leaving only a small amount**
**Base meaning:** “use” means “to consume.”
**Extended meaning:** “down to” adds the sense of reducing something to a minimal level.
• _They used the resources down to the last bit._
• _We used down to the final drop of fuel._
26. **use against the clock** – **to employ something with urgency before time runs
out**
**Base meaning:** “use” means “to employ.”
**Extended meaning:** “against the clock” adds the sense of using something in a race against time.
• _We had to use our resources against the clock to finish the project._
• _They used every minute against the clock to meet the deadline._
27. **use within** – **to employ something inside a particular boundary or scope**
**Base meaning:** “use” means “to employ.”
**Extended meaning:** “within” indicates use inside a specific range or limit.
• _This software can only be used within the company network._
• _The funds were used within the department’s budget._
28. **use out of** – **to employ something for a specific reason or benefit**
**Base meaning:** “use” means “to employ.”
**Extended meaning:** “out of” adds the sense of using something due to necessity or purpose.
• _She used her connections out of a need to get the job done._
• _They used the equipment out of necessity during the crisis._
29. **use away** – **to employ or consume something while steadily reducing it**
**Base meaning:** “use” means “to consume.”
**Extended meaning:** “away” adds the sense of gradual consumption or reduction.
• _The company used away its supplies during the long project._
• _He used away his savings over the course of several months._
30. **use off and on** – **to employ something intermittently**
**Base meaning:** “use” means “to employ.”
**Extended meaning:** “off and on” adds the sense of using something sporadically or occasionally.
• _We used the old system off and on until the new one was fully implemented._
• _She uses that software off and on, depending on the project._
These phrasal verbs with “use” are common in both formal and informal contexts, and their extended meanings allow for flexible and precise communication.