Holiday songs are a great way to learn a fun part of American culture, but they’re also a great way to improve your English! Many holiday songs have phrasal verbs, which can be a difficult concept for English learners. Listen to these songs and learn some phrasal verbs while also experiencing some holiday cheer!
English Phrasal Verbs through Holiday Songs
Find out
Definition: To discover something.
Song it’s from: Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
Lyrics:
He’s making a list and checking it twice
Gonna find out who’s naughty and nice
Holding on
Definition: To hold something tightly.
Song it’s from: All I Want for Christmas Is You
Lyrics:
‘Cause I just want you here tonight
Holding on to me so tight
What more can I do
Baby all I want for Christmas is you
Keep on
Definition: To continue something.
Song it’s from: All I Want for Christmas Is You
Lyrics:
I won’t ask for much this Christmas
I won’t even wish for snow
I’m just gonna keep on waiting
Underneath the mistletoe
Melt away
Definition: To turn into liquid.
Song it’s from: Frosty the Snowman
Lyrics:
Frosty the Snowman
Knew the sun was hot that day
So he said let’s run
And we’ll have fun
Now before I melt away
Open up
Definition: To open something.
Song it’s from: Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer
Lyrics:
Now we’re all so proud of grandpa
He’s been taking this so well
See him in there watching football
Drinking beer and playing cards with cousin Mel
It’s not Christmas without Grandma
All the family’s dressed in black
And we just can’t help but wonder
Should we open up her gifts
Or send them back (send them back)
Rock away
Definition: To play music and party.
Song it’s from: Jingle Bell Rock
Lyrics:
What a bright time, it’s the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go gliding in a one-horse sleigh
Run over
Definition: To hit with a vehicle.
Song it’s from: Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer
Lyrics:
Grandma got run over by a reindeer
Walking home from our house Christmas eve
You can say there’s no such thing as Santa
But as for me and grandpa we believe
Send back
Definition: To return something; to send it to where it came from.
Song it’s from: Grandma Got Run Over By a Reindeer
Lyrics:
And we just can’t help but wonder
Should we open up her gifts
Or send them back
Watch out
Definition: To be careful.
Song it’s from: Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
Lyrics:
You better watch out, you better not cry
Better not pout, I’m telling you why
Santa Claus is comin’ to town
