Business Phrasal Verbs. Business phrasal verbs are an essential part of business communication. These multi-word verbs can add depth, nuance and precision to your language, making you sound more professional and competent in your day-to-day dealings. Learning how to use them correctly can be a challenge, but it’s worth the effort if you want to improve your business writing or speaking skills.
Must Learn: Telephone Phrasal verbs
What are phrasal verbs?
Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb and one or more particles (typically adverbs or prepositions) that function as a single unit with a distinct meaning.
Here are some examples:
- Break down__to stop working properly
- Bring up__to raise a topic or subject in conversation
- Call off__to cancel an event or appointment
- Come across__to encounter or find something unexpectedly
- Get along__to have a good relationship with someone
Phrasal verbs are a fundamental aspect of the English language. They are made up of two or three words and consist of a verb plus one or more particles, which can be prepositions or adverbs. Phrasal verbs are often challenging to understand for non-native speakers because their meaning is not always evident from the individual words that make them up.
Business Phrasal Verbs
- Break into__To start a new market or industry.
- Call off__To cancel a meeting or event.
- Carry out__To execute or perform a task.
- Come up with__To invent or create an idea or solution.
- Cut back__To reduce expenses or staff.
- Fill in__To provide necessary information or complete a form.
- Get ahead__To advance in one’s career or business.
- Go over__To review or examine something in detail.
- Hold on__To wait for a moment.
- Look into__To investigate or examine a situation.
- Make up__To compensate for a loss or mistake.
- Put together__To assemble or create something from individual parts.
- Run into__To encounter a problem or difficulty.
- Set up__To establish or create a new business or organization.
- Take over__To assume control or ownership of something.
- Turn down__To reject an offer or proposal.
- Work out__To solve a problem or come up with a solution.
- Back up__To support or reinforce something.
- Bring in__To generate revenue or profit.
- Check out__To investigate or examine something before making a decision.
- Figure out__To understand or solve a problem.
- Phase out__To gradually discontinue or eliminate something.
- Roll out__To launch or introduce a new product or service.
- Shake up__To make significant changes to a company or organization.
- Stick to__To adhere to a plan or strategy.
- Take on__To accept responsibility or a new project.
- Turn around__To reverse a negative trend or situation.
- Cash in__To profit from an opportunity or investment.
- Cut off__To terminate a business relationship or connection.
- Draw up__To create or draft a plan or agreement.
- Fill out__To complete a form or document.
- Gear up__To prepare or get ready for a task or project.
- Lay off__To terminate employment due to financial constraints or downsizing.
- Move forward__To progress or advance towards a goal.
- Pull out__To withdraw or exit from a business or market.
- Settle in__To become comfortable in a new position or location.
- Stand out__To be noticeable or distinguishable from others.
- Take up__To start or begin a new project or task.
- Wind down__To gradually decrease or come to an end.
- Write off__To remove an asset from a balance sheet due to its decreased value or being uncollectible.
- Bear with__To ask someone to be patient and wait for something.
- Close down__To permanently shut down a business or operation.
- Come across__To find or discover something by chance.
- Follow up__To continue communication or action after an initial interaction.
- Gear towards__To target or focus on a particular audience or market.
- Hold out__To persist or withstand a challenge or obstacle.
- Lay out__To plan or organize something in detail.
- Pass on__To transfer or give something to another person.
- Pick up__To acquire or improve a skill or knowledge.
- Roll back__To reduce or revert to a previous level or state.
- Run out of__To exhaust or deplete a resource or supply.
- Show up__To arrive or appear at a meeting or event.
- Sort out__To resolve or clarify a problem or situation.
- Team up__To collaborate or work together on a project or task.
- Think through__To carefully consider or analyze a decision or plan.
- Touch base__To make contact or communicate briefly with someone.
- Turn up__To increase or intensify, or to appear unexpectedly.
- Write up__To create a written report or document.
- Close out__To complete or finalize a project or transaction.
- Back down__To withdraw from a position or argument.
Must Read : Phrasal verb with meaning and sentences
Business English Idioms and Phrasal Verbs with meaning and sentences
Cut corners
- Meaning :To do something in a cheap or easy way that might be unsafe or illegal.
- Example__We can’t cut corners on safety regulations just to save money.
Get the ball rolling
- Meaning :To start something or get things started.
- Example__Let’s have a brainstorming session to get the ball rolling on our new project.
Hit the ground running
- Meaning : To start a new job or project with a lot of energy and enthusiasm.
- Example__I’m ready to hit the ground running on this new project and make a big impact.
Keep someone in the loop
- Meaning :To keep someone informed or up-to-date on a situation.
- Example__Make sure to keep the CEO in the loop on our progress with the new product launch.
Make a killing
- Meaning :To make a lot of money quickly and easily.
- Example__If we can secure a big contract with that new client, we’ll make a killing.
Put all your eggs in one basket
- Meaning :To invest all of your resources or efforts into one thing, which could be risky.
- Example__I’m not comfortable putting all my eggs in one basket and relying solely on one customer for our revenue.
Raise the bar
- Meaning :To set a higher standard or expectation for performance.
- Example__We need to raise the bar and exceed our sales goals for the next quarter.
Stand your ground
- Meaning :To hold your position or opinion firmly, even when facing opposition.
- Example__Don’t back down from your negotiation position – stand your ground and get the best deal possible.
Think outside the box
- Meaning :To think creatively or unconventionally to solve a problem or find a new solution.
- Example__We need to think outside the box and come up with a unique marketing strategy to stand out from the competition.
Turn a blind eye
- Meaning :To ignore or overlook something, especially when it is wrong or unethical.
- Example__We can’t turn a blind eye to the unethical practices of our suppliers – we need to hold them accountable.
Cut a deal
- Meaning : To negotiate and reach an agreement.
- Example: The company was able to cut a deal with their supplier to reduce the prices.
Keep the ball rolling
- Meaning :To continue with an activity or process.
- Example: Let’s schedule another meeting to keep the ball rolling on this project.
100 Business Phrasal Verbs With Examples
Get the hang of something
- Meaning :To understand and become proficient in doing something.
- Example: It took me a while, but I finally got the hang of using the new software.
Hit the ground running
- Meaning :To start a project or job with a lot of energy and enthusiasm.
- Example: We need to make sure that the new hire is prepared to hit the ground running.
Bottom line
- Meaning :The final result or conclusion of a financial or business decision.
- Example: The bottom line is that we need to increase sales in order to meet our profit goals.
Bring to the table
- Meaning : To contribute skills, resources or knowledge to a situation.
- Example: We need someone who can bring a fresh perspective to the table.
Make a killing
- Meaning :To make a lot of money quickly and easily.
- Example: The company made a killing with their latest product launch.
Think outside the box
- Meaning : To think creatively and unconventionally in order to solve a problem.
- Example: We need to think outside the box if we want to come up with a unique marketing strategy.
Iron out the details
- Meaning : To resolve all of the small issues or problems in a plan or project.
- Example: We need to iron out the details of the new product launch before we announce it.
Step up to the plate
- Meaning : To take responsibility and face a challenge.
- Example: We need someone who can step up to the plate and lead the team through this difficult time.
Pull the plug
- Meaning: To stop or cancel a project or plan.
- Example: The company decided to pull the plug on their investment in the new technology.
Get down to business
- Meaning: To focus on the task at hand and start working.
- Example: Let’s get down to business and start discussing our plans for the upcoming quarter.
Ride the wave
- Meaning: To take advantage of a trend or opportunity.
- Example: The company was able to ride the wave of the booming real estate market.
Cross that bridge when you come to it
- Meaning : To deal with a problem or challenge only when it arises.
- Example: We don’t need to worry about hiring a new employee until we have more work to do. Let’s cross that bridge when we come to it.
Pay off
- Meaning : To be successful or beneficial in the long run.
- Example: The company’s investment in employee training paid off with increased productivity.
Roll with the punches
- Meaning : To adapt and be flexible in the face of challenges or setbacks.
- Example: The company was able to roll with the punches and adjust their plans when their main supplier went out of business.
Cut corners
- Meaning : To take shortcuts or reduce quality in order to save time or money.
- Example: The company decided to cut corners on their product design in order to meet their launch deadline.
Take the bull by the horns
- Meaning : To take control of a situation and act decisively.
- Example: The new CEO took the bull by the horns and implemented major changes to improve the company’s profitability.
Play hardball
- Meaning : To be aggressive or uncompromising in negotiations or business dealings.
- Example: The company had to play hardball with their suppliers to get the best prices for their materials.
Strike while the iron is hot
- Meaning : To take advantage of an opportunity while it is still available.
- Example: The company decided to launch their new product line while consumer interest was still high.
Give someone the benefit of the doubt
- Meaning : To trust someone and assume the best in the absence of evidence to the contrary.
- Example: Even though we don’t have all the information, let’s give the new hire the benefit of the doubt and assume they are doing their job well.
Go the extra mile
- Meaning: To put in extra effort or do more than is required.
- Example: The company’s customer service team always goes the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction.
Keep your eye on the ball
- Meaning: To stay focused on the most important aspect of a situation.
- Example: We need to keep our eye on the ball and focus on increasing our revenue.
Play it by ear
- Meaning: To make decisions or take action based on the circumstances as they arise.
- Example: We don’t have a set agenda for the meeting, so let’s just play it by ear and see where the discussion leads.
Raise the bar
- Meaning: To set a higher standard or expectation for performance.
- Example: The company’s new training program is designed to raise the bar for employee productivity.
Read between the lines
- Meaning: To understand an underlying meaning or message that is not explicitly stated.
- Example: When negotiating with potential clients, it’s important to read between the lines and understand their true priorities.
Take a rain check
- Meaning: To decline an invitation or offer, but suggest doing it at a later time.
- Example: I can’t attend the meeting tomorrow, but can we take a rain check and schedule it for next week?
Touch base
- Meaning: To make contact or reconnect with someone.
- Example: Let’s touch base next week to discuss the progress on the project.
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