Actions & Movement
Verbs for physical actions, effort, and movement
Overview
25 A2 verbs for describing physical actions, effort, and how people move and interact with things.
Words
admire /ədˈmaɪər/
verb — A2
Meaning: to respect or look at with pleasure
Examples:
- I really admire your courage.
- We stopped to admire the view.
Word Family: admire (v.) → admiration (n.)
aim /eɪm/
verb, noun — A2
Meaning: to point at a target; a goal
Examples:
- She aimed the camera at the bird.
- Our aim is to finish by Friday.
Collocations: aim at, aim for, aim to
attempt /əˈtempt/
verb, noun — A2
Meaning: to try to do something
Examples:
- He attempted to climb the wall.
- It was a brave attempt.
Collocations: attempt to, first attempt, failed attempt
bend /bend/
verb — A2
Meaning: to curve; to move the top part of your body downwards
Examples:
- She bent down to pick up the pen.
- The road bends to the left.
bite /baɪt/
verb, noun — A2
Meaning: to cut into with your teeth
Examples:
- The dog bit the postman.
- Take a bite of this apple.
blow /bləʊ/
verb — A2
Meaning: to send air from the mouth; wind moving
Examples:
- The wind was blowing hard.
- She blew out the candles.
Collocations: blow out, blow away, blow up
drag /dræɡ/
verb — A2
Meaning: to pull something heavy along
Examples:
- He dragged the box across the floor.
- She dragged herself out of bed.
Collocations: drag and drop, drag on
drop /drɒp/
verb, noun — A2
Meaning: to let fall; a small amount of liquid
Examples:
- She dropped her phone.
- A drop of rain fell on my hand.
Collocations: drop off, drop out, drop by
escape /ɪˈskeɪp/
verb, noun — A2
Meaning: to get free; to get away from danger
Examples:
- The prisoners escaped at night.
- She had a narrow escape.
Collocations: escape from, narrow escape, fire escape
hang /hæŋ/
verb — A2
Meaning: to fix at the top so it is free below
Examples:
- She hung the picture on the wall.
- Monkeys hang from trees.
Collocations: hang up, hang out, hang on
hide /haɪd/
verb — A2
Meaning: to put or keep out of sight
Examples:
- She hid behind the door.
- Where did you hide the key?
Collocations: hide from, hide behind, hide and seek
hold /həʊld/
verb — A2
Meaning: to have in your hand; to contain
Examples:
- Hold my hand.
- The box holds 24 bottles.
Collocations: hold on, hold up, hold back, take hold
knock /nɒk/
verb, noun — A2
Meaning: to hit a door to get attention
Examples:
- Someone’s knocking at the door.
- I heard a loud knock.
Collocations: knock on, knock down, knock out
lean /liːn/
verb — A2
Meaning: to rest against something for support
Examples:
- She leaned against the wall.
- Don’t lean out of the window.
Collocations: lean on, lean against, lean back
lift /lɪft/
verb, noun — A2
Meaning: (v.) to raise up; (n.) a ride; an elevator
Examples:
- Can you help me lift this box?
- Take the lift to the third floor.
Collocations: lift up, give a lift, lift weights
march /mɑːtʃ/
verb, noun — A2
Meaning: to walk with regular steps; a protest walk
Examples:
- The soldiers marched through the city.
- Thousands joined the peace march.
pour /pɔːr/
verb — A2
Meaning: to make liquid flow
Examples:
- She poured water into the glass.
- It was pouring with rain outside.
pretend /prɪˈtend/
verb — A2
Meaning: to act as if something is true when it is not
Examples:
- He pretended to be asleep.
- Don’t pretend you don’t know.
Collocations: pretend to, pretend that
reach /riːtʃ/
verb — A2
Meaning: to arrive at; to stretch out your hand
Examples:
- We reached the hotel at midnight.
- She reached for the book on the shelf.
Collocations: reach a decision, reach out, within reach
replace /rɪˈpleɪs/
verb — A2
Meaning: to put something new in place of something old
Examples:
- We need to replace the broken window.
- Nothing can replace a mother’s love.
Collocations: replace with, replace by
Word Family: replace (v.) → replacement (n.)
rescue /ˈreskjuː/
verb, noun — A2
Meaning: to save from danger
Examples:
- The firefighters rescued the family.
- A rescue team was sent immediately.
Collocations: rescue team, come to the rescue
rush /rʌʃ/
verb, noun — A2
Meaning: to move or do something very quickly
Examples:
- She rushed to the hospital.
- There’s no rush — take your time.
Collocations: rush hour, in a rush, rush to
shake /ʃeɪk/
verb — A2
Meaning: to move quickly back and forth
Examples:
- They shook hands and smiled.
- The earthquake shook the building.
Collocations: shake hands, shake your head
spread /spred/
verb — A2
Meaning: to cover a larger area; to open out
Examples:
- The news spread quickly.
- She spread butter on the toast.
Collocations: spread out, spread the word
struggle /ˈstrʌɡl/
verb, noun — A2
Meaning: to try hard with difficulty
Examples:
- She struggled to open the door.
- It was a constant struggle.
Collocations: struggle with, struggle to, daily struggle
Quick Review
| Word | Type | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| admire | v. | respect |
| aim | v./n. | point; goal |
| attempt | v./n. | try |
| bend | v. | curve |
| bite | v./n. | cut with teeth |
| blow | v. | send air |
| drag | v. | pull heavily |
| drop | v./n. | let fall |
| escape | v./n. | get free |
| hang | v. | fix above |
| hide | v. | keep out of sight |
| hold | v. | have in hand |
| knock | v./n. | hit door |
| lean | v. | rest against |
| lift | v./n. | raise; elevator |
| march | v./n. | walk; protest |
| pour | v. | flow liquid |
| pretend | v. | act as if |
| reach | v. | arrive; stretch |
| replace | v. | put new for old |
| rescue | v./n. | save |
| rush | v./n. | move fast |
| shake | v. | move back/forth |
| spread | v. | cover wider |
| struggle | v./n. | try with difficulty |