British Phrasal Verbs with “pop” and “nip” (movement / visits)

These are very popular phrasal verbs describing visits to another place, with a strong implication that the activity / visit is brief. You won’t be staying long in the place you’re popping or nipping to. The use of prepositions (or not) is key. “Pop” and “nip” are interchangeable, so this simple lesson offers your vocabulary a considerable boost.

Common to use “just” to emphasise the brevity of the activity.

Pop in / out / down / up / round / around / over / place names

Pop in

“Excuse me whilst I pop into the shop quickly.”

“I’m just going to pop in to see my mum for a moment.”

“If you’re free now, why don’t you just pop in?”

“She needs to pop into town for a bit of shopping.”

Pop out

“I’m going to pop out to the shop.”

“Do you want to pop out for a walk before we get going?”

Pop down

“Let’s pop down the pub for a cheeky pint.”

“Shall we pop down to Mike’s to see if he’s any better?”

“Please pop down when you’ve finished the report.”

Pop up

“We’re just popping up to Scotland for a short holiday.”

“Could you pop up to my room and fetch my slippers for me?”

“I need to pop up to floor five for a meeting with my manager.”

Pop over

“Do you want to pop over this afternoon?”

“We popped over to London for the day last Sunday.”

Pop round / around

“Why don’t you pop round after work?”

“You should really pop around to Lisa’s and apologise.”

Places names

“I just want to pop home after work.”

“Let’s pop to Jamie’s for dinner.”

“I’ve got to pop to Birmingham for a meeting.”

Nip in / out / down / up / round / around / over / place names

“Nip” is interchangeable with “pop”

“I just want to nip home after work.”

“Do you want to nip over this afternoon?”

“Let’s nip down the pub for a cheeky pint.”