Phrasal Verbs about Conspiracies

Phrasal verbs often Be aware that many of

include another these phrasal verbs
preposition if they take also have other
an object. meanings.

Phrasal Verb Mix and Match

Connect each of the phrasal verbs below with the correct definition.

1) add up a) to publicly demand some kind of action

2) base on b) to try and keep something secret

3) blow over * c) to make sense, to be a rational or logical explanation

4) call for * d) to use as a foundation for an idea or theory

5) come out * e) to murder or eliminate

6) cover up f) for a story, rumour, or fact, to eventually be forgotten

7) do away with * g) to believe something that is perhaps not very credible

8) fall for * h) to escape responsibility or avoid punishment for something

9) feed off * i) to become public knowledge

10) get away with j) to continually talk about something

11) go on about * k) to provide stimulus, to be a source of stimulation

12) look into * l) to incite negative emotions with an article or speech

13) lure away m) to lie, to invent a story using the imagination

14) make up n) to investigate or research

15) run down o) to distract from the truth or from what really happened

16) set up p) to attract somebody to a different area

17) stir up q) to criticise negatively

18) throw off r) to make an innocent person look guilty

*These phrasal verbs are inseparable.

LET’S PLAY BINGO!
Play the Kahoot game from the link below
https://create.kahoot.it/share/phrasal-verbs-about-conspiracies/8585d0e5-618f-4f6c-a0ba-8894a6639ee9
 Phrasal Verbs about Conspiracies
add up base on blow over call for come out cover up do away with fall for feed off
get away with go on about look into lure away make up run down set up stir up throw off

Insert the phrasal verbs that fit best into the gaps in the sentences below.
You will need to conjugate them appropriately.

1) The British public have repeatedly _________ _____ an inquiry into the murder of British journalist, Jill Dando.

2) The police have been accused of _________ _____ Barry George for the murder of the British journalist, Jill
Dando. He was finally freed from prison after DNA evidence completely exonerated him from the crime.
3) The claim that Lee Harvey Oswald shot President Kennedy from a window so far away from the cavalcade just
doesn’t _________ _____ when the forensics involved are scrutinized carefully.

4) Don’t mention the assassination of President Kennedy to Paul or he will just _________ _____ _____ it all
night.

5) The Roman emperor, Caligula, was _________ _______ from his bodyguards and assassinated.

6) The Prime Minister is hoping that the corruption scandal will eventually _________ _____ but, unfortunately for
him, the newspapers are showing no sign of forgetting the story for the foreseeable future.

7) Some political leaders try to _________ _____ the fear of the unfamiliar, unknown, or popular stereotypes to
further their political careers.

8) The Prime Minister has been accused of _________ ______ racist sentiments after a speech he gave about
immigration.

9) When the truth about what happened at the conference _________ _____, the public reacted with fury. Mass
demonstrations took place and the president was forced to resign.

10) The CEO of the company has been accused of trying to _________ _____ just how serious the accident was.

11) Many people in the UK believe that Lady Diana was _________ _____ _____ because she was leading a
campaign against landmines.

12) The press in the UK has been accused of _________ _____ the leader of the opposition unfairly so that the
government can maintain an advantage during the forthcoming general election.

13) The Prime Minister’s reasons for ordering an invasion of that country were _________ _____ evidence that
was clearly falsified by the secret service.

14) The story about Lady Diana being pregnant was probably a red herring to _________ _____ the press as to the
real reason for her possible assassination.

15) Most people in the UK believe that all the conspiracy theories about the assassination of Lady Diana were
_________ ______ by the father of her dead boyfriend.

16) Once the press began to _________ ______ a break-in at the Democratic Headquarters at the Watergate
complex in Washington, a complicated conspiracy to steal information and discredit the opposition was discovered.

17) He tried to say that his partner was murdered by an organised crime outfit but the police did not _________
______ it.

18) Many suspect that the real perpetrators of the assassination of President Kennedy have _________ _____
_____ it completely.
 Who Killed Jill Dando?
Insert the phrasal verbs that fit best into the gaps in the story below.
You will need to conjugate the verbs appropriately.

add up base on blow over call for come out cover up do away with fall for feed off
get away with go on about look into lure away make up run down set up stir up throw off

Jill Dando was one of the BBC’s most popular conviction has never really ________ _____ and
newsreaders. She was also a presenter for several Barry George continues to be ________ _____ by
leading TV shows and one of them, Crimewatch, may the sensationalist press on a regular basis which he
have even been the motive for her murder on the says has ruined his life. The police have refuted such
morning of April the 26th 1999. The police have been claims, however, after it was revealed Barry George
________ _____ the killing ever since that day. continually ________ _____ stories about his
Many of the theories about the motive for the movements on that day which proved not to be true
murder of Jill Dando are rather outlandish and just and as a result the police convicted him as he could
don’t ________ _____ under scrutiny. However, not give an honest account of what he had been
there are several theories that seem to hold water on doing at the time of the murder.
closer examination. Another theory which seems to have a certain
Some sources have said that she was degree of credibility is the one that claims that Jill
murdered by the IRA because of her links to the Dando may have been investigating a paedophile ring
police through her Crimewatch program, a program of top celebrities at the BBC. This theory was touted a
that helped the police capture criminals by appealing few months after her death but many in the BBC said
to witnesses among the general public. A document they were not going to ________ _____ something
that ________ _____ a few years ago does seem to so incredible and sensationalist. However, many
suggest that an IRA active service unit was operating years later, some top figures at the BBC have indeed
in London at the time of her murder. The document been implicated in scandals involving child sex abuse.
also suggests that the connection may have been Nevertheless, there are still many who say that this is
________ _____ so as not to ruin the delicate peace a story designed to ________ _____ the fear that
process that was ongoing in the late 90s and at the people have of predatory abusers in powerful
turn of the century. positions and was only written to sell newspapers or
Another theory suggests that she was ______ drive clickbait to make money for unethical
_____ _____ because of her involvement with a companies.
charity to raise money for refugees from the Kosovo A lot of people in the establishment say that
War of 1998. It was stated by some of the Yugoslav many of the conspiracy theories about the murder of
generals and politicians that the “rhetoric” used by Dando have been touted to ________ people _____,
the BBC to appeal for help only served to ________ and the real reason for her killing was a gangland hit.
_____ anti-Serbian bias and led directly to NATO BBC’s Crimewatch was crucial in capturing the British
intervention in the conflict which in turn led to a gangster, Kenneth Noye, who was wanted for
humiliating defeat for the Yugoslav military. murder. After an appeal on Crimewatch, Noye was
There was another theory, that the police tracked down to the Spanish town of Barbate and
took very seriously, that she had a stalker who had brought back to the UK for trial. He was imprisoned
been following her around for some time. This theory for nearly 20 years. One of the witnesses in the trial,
seems to have been _______ _____ some hard Alan Decabral, was murdered shortly after the court
evidence, and the police arrested, charged, and case in a manner similar to Dando. He may have been
successfully convicted a man as a result. However, ________ _____ from his son somehow before a
the man in question, Barry George, always claimed gunman shot him in the head using a modified
he was ________ _____ by the police. Many weapon. A modified weapon was also used on Jill
prominent people ________ _____ his case to be Dando.
re-examined because of apparent inconsistencies We may never ever know the truth of what
and, after several appeals against his sentence, he happened to Jill Dando on that day in 1999 but two
was finally set free after his conviction was things appear to be certain, the murderer seems to
overturned. However, the controversy for his have ________ _____ _____ it and it will be a very
long time before British conspiracy theorists stop
Watch a documentary about the crime by clicking below ________ _____ _____it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sm32KwYFHwk
 Evil Genius Conspiracy Debate
You are all part of an evil organisation called SECTUM that secretly runs the world
and has control of many banking and energy companies. Read the memo below and
then read your personality card. After that, attend the meeting and debate what the
board should do next regarding the issue at hand. Each person should spend at least
1 minute stating their opinion and a further 5 minutes debating what should be
done once everybody has had their say. A vote must be taken at the end.

SECTUM
To: Senior division executives

From: Fanny Blowhard

Date: 15/03/22

Re: Air fuel threat

Dear Team,

As you all know from our previous meetings, a new and effective fuel technology that is being
considered for development by a renewable energy company looks sure to put our profits and well-
being into doubt. As such, I have convened a meeting of all department heads for tomorrow at
12pm. You know what happens to those that can’t attend!
Here are some proposals brought to me from people within our organisation. Please have a
look and be prepared to debate the merits of each idea:

 Kill the scientists in charge of the project

 Fake an explosion at the factory where it is being developed
 Start a world war to distract the companies involved from their work
 Sabotage the project continuously so that it runs over-budget
 Buy the rights to the technology and then never release it to the public
 Install a computer virus on the company’s network in order to destroy the data
 Buy the company and then fire all of the people involved with the project
 Sabotage the personal lives of the project workers by fabricating false scandals about them

I look forward to seeing you all tomorrow at the meeting.

Warmest regards
Fanny Blowhard
 Debate Evil Genius: Personality Cards

You are an oil company executive and a former You are a former scientist that has had your
mercenary. You have very conservative views licence to practice revoked because of cruel
regarding energy use and industry although and unusual methods. You think that
you also like scientific progress. You think that progress depends on strength and
for governments and the military free energy is consequently that the strong will always
a good idea but you believe the people should beat the weak. You think that weak people
pay as this would ensure their obedience and should be used for scientific experiments.
cooperation. You wouldn't think twice about Free fuel to you is ridiculous. You think that
killing people to keep things as they are.
free fuel would make society weak and
vulnerable.

You are a former secret agent that worked for a You are a former dictator with a terrible human
powerful country. While working for that country rights record that everybody in the world thinks is
you noticed that the criminals and terrorists were dead. You faked your own death and now lead
the only people who acted in a logical manner. the life of a respectable electricity executive to
These people always seemed to be richer and have avoid being prosecuted by the European court of
better lifestyles while those that worked in the human rights. You have managed to increase the
service normally ended up with bad pensions and wealth of the company and now supply electricity
health problems. In the end you decided to go free-
to 3 continents. You believe people are easy to
lance and help governments control their people.
deceive but killing and violence only brings
You always think that a subtle approach is the best
unwanted attention. Free electricity would be a
way to solve a problem.
disaster.

You are an alien from another planet that You are a philosopher who believes that most
has been put here to weaken the human people on the planet are completely useless
race in order to make the Earth easier to and don't deserve life. You work as an
conquer. At the moment, people believe executive director for an environmental
pressure group. However, you think that if we
you are an important energy minister in a
contaminate the Earth sufficiently then most of
small but influential nation in Western the people on the planet will die out leaving
Europe. If the Earth opts for clean, cheap only the strongest and most intelligent to
energy then it will benefit the humans and prepare a better future. Cheap and clean
make them too strong to defeat. energy would not allow that to happen. You
think we must destroy before we can build.

You are - insert personality

You are - insert personality

CHOOSE ONE OF THE PERSONALITY CARDS ABOVE AND THEN USE THIS AS
YOUR MOTIVATION DURING THE ROLE-PLAY.
 Phrasal Verbs about Conspiracies
add up base on blow over call for come out cover up do away with fall for feed off
get away with go on about look into lure away make up run down set up stir up throw off

Insert the phrasal verbs that fit best into the gaps in the story below.
You will need to conjugate the verbs appropriately.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

15.

16.

17.

18.

IN PAIRS CREATE A GAP-FILL EXERCISE FOR THE 18 PHRASAL

VERBS IN THE BOX AT THE TOP OF THE PAGE.
 Phrasal Verbs: Bingo Game
Cut out and place the definition slips in a cup or envelope. Cut out the bingo cards and give to the students. Take a definition
slip from the cup one at a time and read the definition. Students tick off the corresponding phrasal verbs. Once a student has
crossed out 5 words on a card they shout “bingo” and the round starts again with fresh cards. Repeat the process 3 times.

Definition Slips
add up = base on = blow over = call for = come out =
to make sense, to be a to use as a foundation for a story, rumour, or to publicly demand to become public
rational or logical for an idea or theory fact, to eventually be some kind of action knowledge
explanation forgotten
cover up = do away with = fall for = feed off = get away with =
to try and keep something to murder or to believe something to provide stimulus, to to escape responsibility
secret eliminate that is perhaps not very be a source of or avoid punishment
credible stimulation for something
go on about = look into = lure away = make up = run down =
to continually talk about to investigate or to attract somebody to to lie, to invent a story to criticise negatively
something research a different area using the imagination
set up = stir up = throw off =
to make an innocent person to incite negative to distract from the
look guilty emotions with an article truth or from what
or speech really happened

Bingo Cards Bingo Cards

lure away run down
add up stir up
stir up
blow over
fall for look into
come out call for

call for look into

fall for call for
base on
throw off
run down lure away
lure away cover up

lure away come out

make up go on about
look into
throw off
run down add up
lure away call for

make up go on about
feed off do away with
call for fall for
look into get away with
stir up throw off

get away with do away with

cover up make up
set up
come out
base on cover up
feed off do away with
feed off blow over
add up get away with do away with
go on about
cover up throw off
look into lure away
call for stir up
throw off go on about
cover up
get away with add up do away with
cover up fall for

base on feed off

get away with come out
run down
make up
lure away call for
blow over set up
 Answers

Phrasal Verb Mix and Match

Connect each of the phrasal verbs below with the correct definition.

1) add up a) to publicly demand some kind of action

2) base on b) to try and keep something secret

3) blow over * c) to make sense, to be a rational or logical explanation

4) call for * d) to use as a foundation for an idea or theory

5) come out * e) to murder or eliminate

6) cover up f) for a story, rumour, or fact, to eventually be forgotten

7) do away with * g) to believe something that is perhaps not very credible

8) fall for * h) to escape responsibility or avoid punishment for something

9) feed off * i) to become public knowledge

10) get away with j) to continually talk about something

11) go on about * k) to provide stimulus, to be a source of stimulation

12) look into * l) to incite negative emotions with an article or speech

13) lure away m) to lie, to invent a story using the imagination

14) make up n) to investigate or research

15) run down o) to distract from the truth or from what really happened

16) set up p) to attract somebody to a different area

17) stir up q) to criticise negatively

18) throw off r) to make an innocent person look guilty

Answers
1) = c)
2) = d)
3) = f)
4) = a)
5) = i)
6) = b)
7) = e)
8) =8)
9) = k)
10) = h)
11) = j)
12) = n)
13) = p)
14) = m)
15 = q)
16) = r)
17) = l)
18) = o)
 Answers

1) The British public have repeatedly called for an inquiry into the murder of British journalist, Jill Dando.

2) The police have been accused of setting up Barry George for the murder of the British journalist, Jill Dando. He
was finally freed from prison after DNA evidence completely exonerated him from the crime.
3) The claim that Lee Harvey Oswald shot President Kennedy from a window so far away from the cavalcade just
doesn’t add up when the forensics involved are scrutinized carefully.

4) Don’t mention the assassination of President Kennedy to Paul or he will just go on about it all night.

5) The Roman emperor, Caligula, was lured away from his bodyguards and assassinated.

6) The Prime Minister is hoping that the corruption scandal will eventually blow over but, unfortunately for him, the
newspapers are showing no sign of forgetting the story for the foreseeable future.

7) Some political leaders try to feed off the fear of the unfamiliar, unknown, or popular stereotypes to further their
political careers.

8) The Prime Minister has been accused of stirring up racist sentiments after a speech he gave about immigration.

9) When the truth about what happened at the conference came out, the public reacted with fury. Mass
demonstrations took place and the president was forced to resign.

10) The CEO of the company has been accused of trying to cover up just how serious the accident was.

11) Many people in the UK believe that Lady Diana was done away with because she was leading a campaign
against landmines.

12) The press in the UK has been accused of running down the leader of the opposition unfairly so that the
government can maintain an advantage during the forthcoming general election.

13) The Prime Minister’s reasons for ordering an invasion of that country were based on evidence that was clearly
falsified by the secret service.

14) The story about Lady Diana being pregnant was probably a red herring to throw off the press as to the real
reason for her possible assassination.

15) Most people in the UK believe that all the conspiracy theories about the assassination of Lady Diana were made
up by the father of her dead boyfriend.

16) Once the press began to look into a break-in at the Democratic Headquarters at the Watergate complex in
Washington, a complicated conspiracy to steal information and discredit the opposition was discovered.

17) He tried to say that his partner was murdered by an organised crime outfit but the police did not fall for it.

18) Many suspect that the real perpetrators of the assassination of President Kennedy have gotten away with it
completely.
 Answers

Jill Dando was one of the BBC’s most popular conviction has never really blown over and Barry
new readers. She was also a presenter for several George continues to be run down by the
leading TV shows and one of them, Crimewatch, may sensationalist press on a regular basis which he says
have even been the motive for her murder on the has ruined his life. The police have refuted such
morning of April the 26th 1999. The police have been claims, however, after it was revealed Barry George
looking into the killing ever since that day. continually made up stories about his movements on
Many of the theories about the motive for the that day which proved not to be true and as a result
murder of Jill Dando are rather outlandish and just the police convicted him as he could not give an
don’t add up under scrutiny. However, there are honest account of what he had been doing at the
several theories that seem to hold water on closer time of the murder.
examination. Another theory which seems to have a certain
Some sources have said that she was degree of credibility is the one that claims that Jill
murdered by the IRA because of her links to the Dando may have been investigating a paedophile ring
police through her Crimewatch program, a program of top celebrities at the BBC. This theory was touted a
that helped the police capture criminals by appealing few months after her death but many in the BBC said
to witnesses among the general public. A document they were not going to fall for something so
that came out a few years ago does seem to suggest incredible and sensationalist. However, many years
that an IRA active service unit was operating in later, some top figures at the BBC have indeed been
London at the time of her murder. The document also implicated in scandals involving child sex abuse.
suggests that the connection may have been covered Nevertheless, there are still many who say that this is
up so as not to ruin the delicate peace process that a story designed to feed off the fear that people have
was ongoing in the late 90s and at the turn of the of predatory abusers in powerful positions and was
century. only written to sell newspapers or drive clickbait to
Another theory suggests that she was done make money for unethical companies.
away with because of her involvement with a charity A lot of people in the establishment say that
to raise money for refugees from the Kosovo War of many of the conspiracy theories about the murder of
1998. It was stated by some of the Yugoslav generals Dando have been touted to throw people off, and the
and politicians that the “rhetoric” used by the BBC to real reason for her killing was a gangland hit. BBC’s
appeal for help only served to stir up anti-Serbian Crimewatch was crucial in capturing the British
bias and led directly to NATO intervention in the gangster, Kenneth Noye, who was wanted for
conflict which in turn led to a humiliating defeat for murder. After an appeal on Crimewatch, Noye was
the Yugoslav military. tracked down to the Spanish town of Barbate and
There was another theory, that the police brought back to the UK for trial. He was imprisoned
took very seriously, that she had a stalker who had for nearly 20 years. One of the witnesses in the trial,
been following her around for some time. This theory Alan Decabral, was murdered shortly after the court
seems to have been based on some hard evidence, case in a manner similar to Dando. He may have been
and the police arrested, charged, and successfully lured away from his son somehow before a gunman
convicted a man as a result. However, the man in shot him in the head using a modified weapon. A
question, Barry George, always claimed he was set modified weapon was also used on Jill Dando.
up by the police. Many prominent people called for We may never ever know the truth of what
his case to be examined because of apparent happened to Jill Dando on that day in 1999 but two
inconsistencies and, after several appeals against his things appear to be certain, the murderer seems to
sentence, he was finally set free after his conviction have gotten away with it and it will be a very long
was overturned. However, the controversy for his time before British conspiracy theorists stop going on
about it.
Bingo Cards
set up run down
do away with
make up fall for

make up set up
add up
fall for stir up

base on go on about
call for
do away with fall for

throw off add up

blow over
feed off do away with

fall for get away with

stir up
come out cover up

run down stir up

go on about
cover up throw off

call for stir up

lure away
set up go on about

fall for come out

feed off
get away with call for
Conspiracies FCE Practice Reading and Use of English
Part 4
For these questions complete the second sentence so that it has a similar meaning to the first sentence,
using the word given.
Do not change the word given. You must use between TWO and FIVE words, INCLUDING the word given.
Here is an example (0).
Example:
0 His doctor advised him to stop smoking.
UP
His doctor told him ________________________________cigarettes.
The gap can be filled with the words “to give/pack up,” so you write:

Example: 0 TO GIVE/PACK UP
Write only the missing words IN CAPITAL LETTERS on the separate answer sheet.

1 The council changed its policy on parking due to the negative comments it received from the public.
COMING
After _________________________________ lot of public criticism, the council changed its parking policy.

2 The local MP promised there would be a thorough investigation to find the cause of the accident.
INTO
The accident would ______________________ thoroughly by the authorities, according to the local politician.

3 A lot of people are demanding a public inquiry into the accident.

CALLING
Many people ______________________________________ inquiry into the accident.

4 The government tried to keep the results secret but the story was revealed in the press.
UP
Despite trying to ___________________________________, the story came out in the end, anyway.

5 The leading suspect says that the police have falsified evidence to make him look guilty.
UP
“The police have ________________________________!” claimed the suspect.

6 The burglars left a false set of fingerprints to distract the police and waste their time.
OFF
The police were _______________________ the false fingerprints that the thieves left at the scene of the crime.
 Answers

1 The council changed its policy on parking due to the negative comments it received from the public.
COMING
After COMING IN FOR A lot of public criticism, the council changed its parking policy.

2 The local MP promised there would be a thorough investigation to find the cause of the accident.
INTO
The accident would BE LOOKED INTO thoroughly by the authorities, according to the local politician.

3 A lot of people are demanding a public inquiry into the accident.

CALLING
Many people ARE CALLING FOR A PUBLIC inquiry into the accident.

4 The government tried to keep the results secret but the story was revealed in the press.
UP
Despite trying to COVER UP THE RESULTS, the story came out in the end, anyway.

5 The leading suspect says that the police have falsified evidence to make him look guilty.
UP
“The police have SET ME UP!” claimed the suspect.

6 The burglars left a false set of fingerprints to distract the police and waste their time.
OFF
The police were THROWN OFF BY the false fingerprints that the thieves left at the scene of the crime.