Phrasal Verbs For Work Conversations

Phrasal Verbs For Work Conversations

by Enguroo

Are you looking for ways to spice up your conversations at work, even if they’re with your supervisor rather than a colleague at the same level? Read on for 15 versatile phrasal verbs that often appear in business communication and can surely liven up yours.

Phrasal Verbs in Context

Sarah: Hey, Tom, I wanted to bring up (1) the marketing report that was due today. Did you get a chance to go over (2) it?

Tom: Yes, I did. I broke it down (3) into sections so we can easily carry out (4) our discussion during the meeting.

Sarah: Great! I was thinking we could draw up (5) a list of key points before presenting it to the team.

Tom: That’s a good idea. I’ll set up (6) a meeting with the rest of the team for tomorrow morning.

Sarah: Perfect. Also, I reviewed the budget for the new campaign. We might need to put off (7) launching it until next month because we don’t have enough funds.

Tom: That’s what I was afraid of. Maybe we can come up with (8) some cost-saving measures in the meantime.

Sarah: Agreed. By the way, I was supposed to follow up (9) with the client about the contract, but they called off (10) our meeting at the last minute. Can you take over (11) that task?

Tom: Sure, I’ll contact them and work out (12) a new meeting time.

Sarah: Thanks! Oh, one more thing—did you hear that Jenna turned down (13) the offer to lead the new project?

Tom: I did. It’s a shame, but I’m sure someone else will step up (14).

Sarah: Yeah, let’s hope so. Thanks for your help, Tom. Let’s hold on (15) to that meeting schedule until we finalize everything.

Tom: Sounds good, Sarah. Talk to you later!

#Phrasal verbMeaningExamples
1to bring sth. upto mention/introduce a topic1) I wanted to bring up the marketing report.
2) Maria decided to bring up the issue of the project’s deadline extension.
2to go over sth.to review or examine something carefully1) Did you get a chance to go over the report?
2) Before finalizing the quarterly report, Alex and Jordan need to go over the financial figures.
3to break sth. down (into sth.)to analyze or divide something into smaller parts1) I broke the report down into sections.
2) Lisa decided to break the tasks down into smaller, manageable components.
4to carry sth. outto perform or complete a task or activity1) We can easily carry out our discussion during the meeting.
2) The team needs to carry out a series of tests on the new advertising strategy.
5to draw sth. upto prepare or draft a document or plan1) We could draw up a list of key points.
2) The legal department needs to draw up a contract.
6to set sth. upto arrange or establish something, such as a meeting or system1) I’ll set up a meeting.
2) IT is scheduled to set up the new customer relationship management system by the end of the week.
7to put sth. offto delay or postpone something1) We might need to put off launching the campaign.
2) We had to put off the software release.
8to come up with sth.to think of or create something, such as an idea or plan1) Maybe we can come up with some cost-saving measures.
2) During the brainstorming session, Jessica came up with a new marketing strategy.
9to follow up (with sth./sb.)to check on something or someone to ensure completion or to gather more information1) I was supposed to follow up with the client about the contract.
2) After the client meeting, Sarah will follow up with an email summarizing the discussion points.
10to call sth. offto cancel something that was planned1) They called off our meeting at the last minute.
2) The company decided to call off the team-building event scheduled for this Friday.
11to take sth. overto assume control or responsibility for something1) Can you take over that task?
2) After Jane’s retirement, Mark will take over her responsibilities as the head of the marketing department.
12to work sth. outto solve or find a solution to a problem or issue1) I’ll contact them and work out a new meeting time.
2) Before finalizing the merger, the legal teams need to work out the details of the agreement to address any potential concerns.
13to turn sth. downto reject or decline an offer or request1) Jenna turned down the offer.
2) The committee decided to turn down the proposal for additional funding.
14to step up to take on a greater level of responsibility1) I’m sure someone else will step up.
2) After the team leader resigned unexpectedly, John was asked to step up and manage the project until a permanent replacement could be found.
15to hold on (to sth.)to keep or maintain something temporarily until further notice or until additional information is available1) Let’s hold on to that meeting schedule until we finalize everything.
2) Despite the changes in company policy, Jane decided to hold on to her current role because she believes in its long-term benefits.

Practice

Complete the sentences with the right words. The answer key is given below.

  1. She decided to -1- up the issue of salary during the meeting.
  2. The lawyer will -2- up a contract for the new partnership
  3. Can you -3- up the meeting room for the conference?
  4. It’s important to -4- on to the original project goals to ensure we stay on track.
  5. With the team lead on vacation, someone will need to -5- up and handle the daily operations.
  6. We decided to put -6- the strategy session until next month.
  7. We need to -7- the annual goals down into quarterly milestones to track progress effectively.
  8. Before finalizing the report, let’s -8- over the data.
  9. Due to the severe weather, they had to -9- off the outdoor event.
  10. She had to turn -10- the job offer because it didn’t align with her career goals.
  11. We need someone to step -11- and lead the new initiative.
  12. He will take -12- the project once the current manager retires.
  13. She came -13- with a brilliant idea for the marketing campaign.
  14. They worked -14- a compromise that satisfied both parties.
  15. He decided to -15- down the promotion because it required relocating to another city.
  16. I need to set -16- a meeting with the client to discuss the project requirements.
  17. We need to -17- out the budget details before moving forward with the contract.
  18. We need to break this complex problem down -18- smaller, more manageable parts.
  19. Let’s -19- over the details of the project before we start working on it.
  20. She will -20- over the management of the new project from the current team leader.
  21. During the team meeting, I plan to -21- up the concerns about the project timeline.
  22. It’s important to -22- on to your original ideas even when facing criticism.
  23. The HR manager will draw -23- a new employee handbook to reflect recent policy changes.
  24. The IT department will carry -24- a system upgrade over the weekend to improve security.
  25. After sending the initial email, make sure to -25- up with a phone call.
  26. We had to put -26- our vacation plans because of the unexpected work deadline.
  27. We had to call -27- the presentation because the key speaker was unavailable.
  28. The marketing team needs to come -28- with a creative campaign for the product launch.
  29. After sending the proposal, make sure to follow -29- with a call to discuss any questions.
  30. The research team will -30- out a survey to gather customer feedback on the new product.
Answer key 🔑
  1. bring
  2. draw
  3. set
  4. hold
  5. step
  6. off
  7. break
  8. go
  9. call
  10. down
  11. up
  12. over
  13. up
  14. out
  15. turn
  16. up
  17. work
  18. into
  19. go
  20. take
  21. bring
  22. hold
  23. up
  24. out
  25. follow
  26. off
  27. off
  28. up
  29. up
  30. carry

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