Phrasal Verbs For The Workplace
Category: Language Training | 2018-10-17
Phrasal verbs are a necessary part of learning English, but it’s understandable that they can be frustrating for non-native speakers. There are an awful lot of phrasal verbs in English, and there’s no real trick to learning them other than memorization. One very important thing to keep in mind when it comes to phrasal verbs, is that its meaning does not match the meaning of the main verb. This can make it hard to guess exactly what the true meaning is.
If you work in English at all, it’s more than likely that you will hear at least a few phrasal verbs during the day. In order to help you improve your English, here are some phrasal verbs (with examples) you’ll most likely hear in business.
21 Phrasal Verbs Used in Business English
Improve Your Phrasal Verbs
With
1. Catch up
Meaning: to do something that should be done, especially if it has needed to be done for a long period of time
Example: “I really need to catch up with my email from when I was on vacation. I have over 300 in my inbox!”
2. Look into
Meaning: to investigate
Example: “Can you please look into what’s going on with Company X’s invoice? It hasn’t been paid yet.”
3. Deal with
Meaning: to manage something
Example: “Can you please deal with this customer complaint? I don’t know how to answer them.”
4. Cut in
Meaning: to interrupt
Example: Carl cut in with a suggestion during the meeting, which may help to solve our problem.
5. Join in
Meaning: to participate in something
Example: “Would you like to join in our discussion? We’re trying to figure out when we can launch our new product.”
6. Count on
Meaning: to depend on someone or something
Example: I know I can always depend on you to get your work done on time.
7. Call off
Meaning: to cancel something
Example: The meeting room is actually free now. The conference we were supposed to have there was called off, because a few people are sick.
8. Weigh in
Meaning: to give your opinion on something
Example: “If I could weigh in for a second, I think we should contact the CEO of Company Y for cooperation possibilities.”
9. Jot down
Meaning: to write something down quickly
Example: “If I could just jot down your phone number, I can call you back in a few minutes.”
10. Step up
Meaning: to take on more responsibility, to volunteer
Example: I’m so glad you stepped up and said you would work with this client.
11. Step in
Meaning: to take someone’s place
Example: Jack stepped in as acting manager while our boss was on parental leave.
12. Drag on
Meaning: to take a very long time
Example: The Monday morning meetings always seem to drag on.
13. Get ahead
Meaning: to move forward, to move up in the company
Example: He realized that in order to get ahead, he would have to put in long hours at work.
14. Take over
Meaning: to get control or responsibility of something
Example: Susan took over Client B in June and has done really well with them.
15. Drop off
Meaning: a sharp decrease in something, or to deliver something
Example: The numbers for 2016 really started to drop off in September. / I forgot my notebook at home. Could you drop it off at the front desk on your way into work?
16. Fill in
Meaning: to hold a job temporarily
Example: Jane filled in for Simon while he was on vacation.
17. Bring up
Meaning: to mention something
Example: Please don’t bring up the China deal in front of the boss. It did not go well.
18. Spell out
Meaning: to say something in a simple way
Example: Ricky didn’t understand what our boss wanted, so Lydia had to spell it out for him.
19. Think through
Meaning: to consider all possibilities or to think about something seriously
Example: Are you sure you want to take that new job? I would think it through before you make a final decision.
20. Point out
Meaning: to draw attention to something
Example: Sam wasn’t very happy when Edna pointed out his spelling mistake on the presentation.
21. Turn down
Meaning: to reject something
Example: As tempting as the job offer was, I turned it down. I just love working here so much!
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Putting it All Together
Remember that to make these phrasal verbs an active part of your vocabulary, you have to use them several times. So, pick a new one each day and try to use it around the office.
Are there any phrasal verbs you use in the workplace? Are there any important ones that didn’t make our list? Share them with us in the comment section!
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Cheers!
About the Author
Erin Duffin
Erin Duffin is a writer, teacher, and yoga instructor. Her love of languages inspired her to move to Germany and to share language with others. You can find her work on the MacPherson Language Institute, Bespeaking, and erinduffinyoga.com.