Learn English Phrasal Verbs:Computer Issues
Use this set when a laptop freezes, a printer jams, or you need to tell someone what already went wrong.
break down
stop working
My laptop tends to break down during important meetings.
My laptop tends to stop working during important meetings.
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turn off
power off
Please turn off your computer when you’re done.
Please power off your computer when you’re done.
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turn on
power on
Can you turn on the printer for me?
Can you power on the printer for me?
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sort out
fix
We need to sort out this error before the presentation.
We need to fix this error before the presentation.
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bring up
mention
Could you bring up the topic of upgrades in the next meeting?
Could you mention the topic of upgrades in the next meeting?
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look after
maintain
It’s essential to look after your devices to avoid problems.
It’s essential to maintain your devices to avoid problems.
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play up
malfunction
The internet connection has been playing up all morning.
The internet connection has been malfunctioning all morning.
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throw out
get rid of
Don’t forget to throw out old cables you no longer use.
Don’t forget to get rid of old cables you no longer use.
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turn out
transpire
It turned out that the issue was caused by a loose wire.
It transpired that the issue was caused by a loose wire.
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go along with
agree
I go along with you that we should install the software update.
I agree with you that we should install the software update.
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find out
discover
Did you find out why the system was so slow?
Did you discover why the system was so slow?
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call in
ask someone to assist you
We should call in a technician to check the server.
We should ask a technician to assist us to check the server.
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About this set
It is aimed at everyday users, not only IT staff — the verbs cover turning things on, finding the cause, and calling someone in.
A few items are informal (play up) and sit next to more neutral ones (sort out, find out).
Usage notes
- turn off. Separable. Turn the computer off or turn it off. Same pattern for turn on.
- sort out. Separable and informal-to-neutral British English for fix or organise: sort the problem out.
- play up. Informal British English for a machine that keeps failing. A printer that plays up is unreliable, not playful.
- look after. Inseparable. Look after the files means take care of them. Do not say look the files after.
Common questions
Is turn out the same as turn off?
No. Turn off means stop a device. Turn out in this set means prove to be — the problem turned out to be a loose cable. The particle changes the meaning completely.
When do people say play up about a computer?
Mostly in informal British English. If the laptop plays up, it keeps misbehaving. In more formal writing, say it keeps failing or it is unreliable.