What does “Peel” mean in English? Phrasal verbs

One of the interesting words in English is “peel” [piːl]. “Peel” has several meanings and uses in English. Let’s look at some of its most popular uses. “Peel” can be used as a noun meaning the skin or rind of fruits or vegetables, for example “apple peel” or “potato peel.” It is also commonly used as a verb meaning to remove the skin or rind from fruits or vegetables, for example: “Peel and chop the onions.” “Peel” can also mean to remove any outer layer or covering from a surface, for example: “We peeled the wallpaper off the walls.” Another common use is to mean flaking or peeling skin, when the top layer of skin sheds from sunburn, for example: “My back is peeling.”

Examples of using the word “peel”:

• The dessert was decorated with strips of lemon peel.
• The label will peel off if you soak it in water.
• The paint is starting to peel off where the wall is damp.

“Peel” takes on interesting meanings as a phrasal verb. Some examples are “Peel off,” “Peel out,” “Peel away,” and others. Let’s look at some of the most common phrasal verbs with “peel” and their meanings:

• Peel off: To remove something by peeling, often used for things stuck on a surface. For example: “I peeled the sticker off the book cover.”
• Peel out: To drive away very quickly, spinning the tires and leaving skid marks on the road. For example: “The car peeled out, leaving black marks on the street.”
• Peel away: To gradually remove multiple layers of something. For example: “As I renovated the room, I peeled away layer after layer of old wallpaper.”

TOP 15 phrasal verbs with “peel”

1. Peel off: To remove a thin layer or covering from something.
   • Example: She peeled off the old wallpaper before painting the walls.
2. Peel away: To remove or detach oneself gradually from a situation or group.
   • Example: As the conversation grew heated, he slowly peeled away from the group.
3. Peel out: To accelerate quickly in a vehicle, causing the tires to spin and smoke.
   • Example: The car peeled out of the driveway, leaving skid marks behind.
4. Peel back: To uncover or reveal something gradually.
   • Example: They peeled back the tarpaulin to unveil the new sculpture in the park.
5. Peel away from: To separate or detach from something with effort.
   • Example: The label wouldn’t peel away from the package, so she used scissors to cut it off.
6. Peel back: To retract or fold back a flexible covering or material.
   • Example: He carefully peeled back the bandage to inspect the wound.
7. Peel apart: To separate or divide something into its constituent parts.
   • Example: She peeled apart the pages of the book to see if there was anything hidden inside.
8. Peel off from: To detach or separate from a larger group or object.
   • Example: The spacecraft will peel off from the main module once it reaches its destination.
9. Peel down: To remove layers of clothing or protective covering.
   • Example: After coming in from the cold, she peeled down to her pajamas and wrapped herself in a blanket.
10. Peel up: To lift or remove something from a surface.
    • Example: He peeled up the corner of the rug to check the condition of the floor underneath.
11. Peel through: To move quickly or easily through something by separating or parting it.
    • Example: The canoe peeled through the water effortlessly as they paddled downstream.
12. Peel out of: To exit or leave a place quickly and energetically.
    • Example: After the meeting, she peeled out of the office to catch her train.
13. Peel over: To turn or flip something over by peeling.
    • Example: He carefully peeled over the pancake to cook it evenly on both sides.
14. Peel by: To pass by or move past something quickly or without stopping.
    • Example: As they walked through the market, they peeled by the stalls without pausing.
15. Peel around: To move or maneuver around something by peeling or shifting.
    • Example: The dancer gracefully peeled around her partner during the performance.

Understanding and using these phrasal verbs with “peel” can significantly enhance your English proficiency. As with any aspect of language learning, practice is key. Try incorporating these phrasal verbs into your everyday conversations and writing to reinforce your understanding.