figure on

Inseparable

The verb and particle never split. The object always follows the whole phrase.

How to say it

Stress the particle, not the verb: figure ON. Saying “FIGURE on” is the clearest learner tell — the verb stays light and the particle carries the beat.

Link the R across. American English is rhotic, so the /r/ at the end of “figure” is a real consonant — it moves onto the particle and starts its syllable: “figure on” is said “figu-ron”. No /j/ or /w/ glide here; the R does that job itself.

What it means

To expect or plan for something.
informal
- “We figured on about thirty guests.”
- “I hadn't figured on the traffic being this bad.”
Similar: expect, count on

The particle logic

Something starts running, keeps running, or sits on a surface.

Listen + practice

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More FIGURE phrasal verbs

Compare the whole family →

figure out

To solve or understand something after thinking about it.

figure on — meaning, examples & how to say it