30.11. Common Phrasal Verbs: Phrasal Verbs in Business English

Phrasal verbs are an essential part of the English language, particularly in business contexts. They are idiomatic expressions composed of a verb and one or more particles, which can be prepositions or adverbs. These combinations can significantly alter the meaning of the original verb, making them crucial for effective communication in the workplace. Understanding and using phrasal verbs correctly can enhance your fluency and help convey messages more naturally in business settings.

In business English, phrasal verbs are used frequently in both spoken and written communication. They can express a wide range of actions and ideas, from simple tasks to complex processes. Below, we will explore some common phrasal verbs used in business English, providing definitions and examples to illustrate their usage.

1. Break Down

The phrasal verb "break down" can mean to analyze something in detail or to stop functioning, especially in the context of machinery or systems.

• Analyze: "Let's break down the sales report to understand where we can improve."
• Stop functioning: "The server broke down during the presentation, causing a significant delay."

2. Bring Up

"Bring up" is commonly used to introduce a topic or mention something in conversation or a meeting.

• "During the meeting, she brought up the issue of budget cuts."
• "Please bring up any concerns you have during the discussion."

3. Call Off

To "call off" means to cancel an event or meeting.

• "Due to unforeseen circumstances, we had to call off the conference."
• "The manager decided to call off the meeting until further notice."

4. Carry Out

"Carry out" refers to executing or performing a task, plan, or order.

• "The team successfully carried out the project within the deadline."
• "We need to carry out a thorough analysis before making a decision."

5. Come Up With

This phrasal verb means to think of or develop an idea or plan.

• "She came up with an innovative solution to the problem."
• "We need to come up with a new marketing strategy to boost sales."

6. Cut Back On

"Cut back on" is used to describe reducing the amount of something, often expenses or resources.

• "The company decided to cut back on travel expenses to save money."
• "We need to cut back on unnecessary spending to meet our budget goals."

7. Drop By

To "drop by" means to visit someone or a place casually or unexpectedly.

• "Feel free to drop by my office if you have any questions."
• "I might drop by the new café after work."

8. Figure Out

"Figure out" is used to describe the process of understanding or solving something.

• "We need to figure out why the sales numbers are declining."
• "Can you figure out how to fix this issue with the software?"

9. Get Ahead

This phrasal verb means to make progress or succeed in one's career or business.

• "To get ahead in your career, you need to keep learning and adapting."
• "She worked hard to get ahead in the competitive industry."

10. Go Over

"Go over" means to review or examine something carefully.

• "Let's go over the report before the meeting to ensure everything is accurate."
• "I need to go over these documents before signing them."

11. Hold On

"Hold on" can mean to wait or to maintain a position or opinion.

• Wait: "Hold on for a moment while I check the details."
• Maintain position: "Despite the challenges, he held on to his beliefs."

12. Look Into

To "look into" something means to investigate or examine it.

• "We need to look into the reasons for the drop in productivity."
• "The team is looking into the feasibility of the new project."

13. Put Off

"Put off" is used to describe delaying or postponing something.

• "The decision was put off until the next board meeting."
• "Don't put off your tasks until the last minute."

14. Run By

To "run by" someone means to inform or consult them about something.

• "Can I run this idea by you before presenting it to the team?"
• "Make sure to run the proposal by the legal department."

15. Set Up

"Set up" means to arrange, establish, or prepare something.

• "We need to set up a meeting with the new client."
• "The IT department will set up your new computer."

These phrasal verbs are just a few examples of the many used in business English. Mastering them can help you communicate more effectively and confidently in professional environments. Practice using these phrasal verbs in sentences and conversations to become more familiar with their meanings and nuances. As you continue to learn and apply these expressions, you'll find that they become an invaluable part of your business vocabulary, enabling you to navigate the complexities of the workplace with ease.

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