Phrasal Verb BE (Intermediate)

be against smth

be opposed to (often used with gerund)

I am against labels and stereotypes in general.

What kind of person is against reading?

be away

be away from home/this place for at least a night

When I am away, you must never let anybody in.

Dad is away on his annual European business trip.

be back

have returned after a long or short absence

Britney Spears is back in the headlines.

I am back living with my mother.

be for smth

be in favour of (often used with gerund)

I love to walk wherever I am for exercise.

I am for fostering a culture that respects life.

be in

be at home/in this bulding

I'll see if mother is in. Wait here.

The Doctor is in.

be in for smth

(informal) be about to encounter/get (usually something unpleasant)

Houston is in for a more serious weather conditions.

Those who love cartoons are in for a treat this year with three new books.

be over

be finished

"I think this conversation is over," Kelly declared.

be out

be away from home/from this building for a short time-not overnight

School is out in three weeks, right?

You should not be in this room when your mother is out.

be up

(a) be out of bed

Layla usually is up at dawn when Bob, who rarely sleeps more than five hours, wakes up.

be up

(b) be over, finished

Well, it looks like our time is up.

Time is up, I'm sorry. We have to end it right there.

be up to smth

(a) be physically or intellectually strong enough (to perform a certain action). The object is usually it, though a gerund is possible

These people's heroism is inspiration enough, but I don't really feel that my art is up to it.

It is a challenge. Some guys are up to it, and some guys aren't.

Some have questioned whether Mr. Jones is up to the job.

be up to smth

(b) be occupied or busy with some mischievous act (some mischief/some trick/no good)

Note that the object of up to here is always some very indefinite expression such as these given above. It is never used with a particular action.

He keeps very odd company and the police are sure he is up to something, but have not been able to pin anything on him yet.

I have no idea what he is up to, but I worry.

The twins are very quiet. I wonder what they are up to.

be up to someone

it is his responsibility or duty (often followed by an infinitive)

You pay to park, but after that what you do is up to you.

You got to do just what I tell you. How you do it is up to you, though.