Phrasal verbs with behind

When you think about "behind" on its own, it shows position – something at the back or after something else. This same idea of "back" or "after" runs through most phrasal verbs with this particle, but it creates some interesting patterns you can learn to recognise.

Many of these verbs describe falling back from where you should be. If you drop behind in a race, you move to a position further back. When you fall behind with your work, you're not keeping up with the schedule – you're metaphorically "at the back" compared to where you should be. This pattern helps you understand that "behind" often signals not keeping pace with others or with expectations.

The verb leave works in two fascinating ways with "behind". When you leave something behind, you've forgotten it – it stays back at the place you've left. But leave someone behind means you've moved so far ahead that they can't keep up with your progress. Both meanings connect to the core idea of "behind" as a back position.

Sometimes "behind" shows staying in a back position by choice. If you stay behind after a meeting, you remain while others go forward and leave. When you get behind a political candidate, you position yourself as their supporter – literally putting them in front while you stay back to push them forward. Understanding these patterns will help you guess meanings when you meet new combinations with "behind".