Phrasal verbs – why do they matter?
Using phrasal verbs successfully makes you sound like a native English speaker. Furthermore, they’re extremely common in everyday English, especially those informal ones. The list of 20 business phrasal verbs that I’ve prepared for you might help you sound more professional, natural and native-like.
20 Business phrasal verbs
bring up – start a discussion on a topic; to mention something at a meeting
Some examples:
The ideas to tackle the problem that you’ve brought up seem very correct.
During the debate the Prime Minister brought up some objections made by citizens.
turn up – arrive, appear, for example at a meeting
We’ve arranged a meeting three times, but he’s never turned up.
Are you going to turn up at Mary’s wedding reception?
come across – arrive, appear, for example at a meeting
I came across an interesting article on how to find new talents.
Searching the Net, I came across this offer.
draw up – prepare a document such as an invoice, or a contract
My HR manager is going to draw up a contract agreement for you.
Can you draw this document up for me. It’s urgent.
run out of – if something is running out there will soon be none left
Due to COVID-19 lockdowns, my business has been running out of money.
put off – you cancel or postpone a meeting
One of our managers is positive for coronavirus, so we’d better put off today’s conference.
call off – you cancel a meeting
I’m sick, so we need to call off the training session.
look into – examine a problem to sort it out
We’re losing more and more clients. We should look into the problem and provide some solutions.
catch up on – if you fall behind with work, you need to catch up on it
I wasn’t at work for 3 weeks, so there’s much work to catch up on.
figure something out – to sort something out, to work something out; find a solution to a problem
I’ve got an issue with a customer. Can you help me to figure it out?
