Advanced Business English Vocabulary | Phrasal verbs
The following are all common phrasal verbs in Business English (as well as in everyday life).
Can you complete the text below by choosing the correct phrasal verb and using it in the correct form.
Business English Phrasal Verbs
- get ahead = make progress
- boil down to = is essentially
- start out = begin
- talk over = discuss thoroughly
- come up with = produce ideas/solutions
- turn up = arrive
- stick to = follow/obey
Fill In The Blanks
Making progress, or , in the organization where I work basically being a hard worker and the guidelines put in place by management. The organization I work for doesn’t welcome originality, especially when you are just in your career. On a positive note, the organization is extremely supportive and always willing to problems and assist you in solutions. There is one thing you must avoid though, which is to meetings late. Bad timekeeping is seriously frowned upon.
30 More Phrasal Verbs Common in Business News & Discussions
- Bring about: To cause or make something happen, especially a change or improvement.
Example: The new CEO hopes to bring about positive changes in the company's culture. - Phase out: To gradually remove or discontinue something over a period of time.
Example: The company plans to phase out its older product line and focus on innovative designs. - Scale back: To reduce the size or scope of something, typically in response to financial challenges or changing priorities.
Example: Due to budget constraints, the company has decided to scale back its marketing campaigns. - Team up: To collaborate or work together with others, especially to achieve a common goal.
Example: The two companies have decided to team up on a joint venture to develop new technology. - Break into: To enter or become involved in a new market, industry, or field.
Example: The company is planning to break into the Asian market by launching a series of new products. - Phase in: To introduce or implement something gradually or in stages.
Example: The company will phase in the new software system over the next six months. - Roll out: To launch or introduce something new, especially a product or service, to the public.
Example: The company is planning to roll out its latest smartphone model next month. - Step down: To resign from or vuluntarily leave a position or role, typically in favor of someone else.
Example: The CEO informed the board of his decision to step down from her position due to health reasons. - Lay off: To dismiss or terminate employees from their jobs, usually as a result of cost-cutting measures.
Example: The company was forced to lay off several employees due to declining sales. - Cash in on: To take advantage of an opportunity to make a profit or gain an advantage.
Example: The company hopes to cash in on the growing demand for sustainable products by launching an eco-friendly line. - Follow up: To take additional steps or contact someone again to ensure the completion of a task or obtain further information.
Example: After the initial meeting, the sales representative decided to follow up with the potential client via email to address any remaining questions. - Reach out: To initiate contact with someone, often to seek assistance, information, or establish a connection.
Example: The marketing team plans to reach out to influencers in order to promote their new product launch. - Touch base: To make contact with someone briefly to exchange updates or confirm details.
Example: We should touch base next week to discuss the progress on the project timeline. - Back up: To make a copy of data or support or confirm the accuracy of information.
Example: Please back up all the files before the system upgrade tonight. - Bring up: To introduce a topic or issue for discussion or consideration.
Example: During the staff meeting, the manager will bring up the upcoming changes in company policy. - Break down: To divide something into smaller parts for detailed analysis or to explain in detail, often making something more understandable.
Example: Can you break down the quarterly sales figures by region and product line? - Carry out: To execute or perform a task or action as instructed or planned.
Example: The team successfully carried out the marketing campaign, greatly increasing brand awareness. - Cut back: To reduce the amount, size, or number of something, often in response to financial constraints.
Example: Due to budget cuts, we need to cut back on our advertising spend. - Put off: To delay or postpone something until a later time.
Example: The company decided to put off the product launch due to unforeseen technical issues. - Run into: To encounter a problem, difficulty, or challenge unexpectedly.
Example: The product development team ran into some issues with the new software's compatibility. - Set up: To prepare or schedule something to be used or to take place.
Example: We must set up a conference call with the stakeholders to discuss what action to take. - Sort out: To resolve an issue or organize something that is in disarray.
Example: The HR department is working to sort out the confusion regarding the new benefits policy. - Take on: To accept a responsibility, challenge, or even a new employee.
Example: The firm is excited to take on new projects in the coming year. - Work out: To devise a solution to a problem or situation.
Example: We need to work out a strategy to improve our customer support response times. - Go over: To review something, typically details, documents, or plans, often to ensure accuracy or completeness.
Example: Please go over the contract one more time before we send it to the client. - Bring in: To hire or recruit someone, or to introduce new ideas or methods.
Example: The company decided to bring in a consultant to optimize the workflow. - Hold off: To delay taking action or decide not to proceed immediately.
Example: We should hold off on making any major decisions until the market stabilizes. - Keep up: To maintain or sustain a certain level of performance or progress.
Example: It's important to keep up with the latest industry trends to stay competitive. - Look into: To investigate or inquire into a matter to gather more information.
Example: We will look into the discrepancies in the expense report immediately. - Step up: To increase one's effort or to take on more responsibility, especially in times of need.
Example: In light of the recent project manager's leave, James had to step up to ensure the project met its deadlines.
