Yes, some of the most common phrasal verbs for business meetings include bring up (to introduce a topic), go over (to review), put off (to postpone), and wrap up (to conclude). Using these essential verb phrases correctly will make your professional English sound more natural and fluent during any discussion or conference call.
Mastering professional communication is key to success in the corporate world. While you might have a strong grasp of general English, business settings have their own unique vocabulary. A crucial part of this is understanding and using the most common phrasal verbs for business meetings. These idiomatic expressions can make you sound more confident and help you understand native speakers with ease. Let's dive into the essential list that will elevate your meeting performance.
Why Are Phrasal Verbs for Business Meetings So Important?
Phrasal verbs combine a main verb with a particle (an adverb or preposition) to create a new meaning. For example, 'look' is a simple action, but 'look into' means to investigate. In a business context, using them correctly shows a high level of fluency and an understanding of the nuances of corporate communication. They are used constantly to discuss agendas, schedule events, and delegate tasks. Ignoring them can lead to misunderstandings and make your language sound stilted or overly formal.
What Are the Most Common Phrasal Verbs for Business Meetings?
To help you navigate your next professional discussion, we've organized a list of essential phrasal verbs by meeting stage. We'll provide a clear definition and two practical examples for each one.
Starting & Managing the Meeting
- Kick off: To start or begin something.
- *Example 1:* "Right, it's 10:00 AM. Let's kick off the meeting."
- *Example 2:* "Jane will kick off with a presentation on the quarterly sales figures."
- Get down to: To begin focusing on the main task or business.
- *Example 1:* "Now that everyone is here, let's get down to business."
- *Example 2:* "We only have an hour, so we need to get down to the main points on the agenda quickly."
- Jump in: To interrupt or join a conversation.
- *Example 1:* "Can I just jump in here and add something?"
- *Example 2:* "Feel free to jump in if you have any questions during the presentation."
Introducing & Discussing Topics
- Bring up: To introduce a topic for discussion.
- *Example 1:* "I'd like to bring up the issue of the new marketing budget."
- *Example 2:* "That's a good point. Thanks for bringing that up."
- Go over: To review or examine something carefully.
- *Example 1:* "Let's quickly go over the action items from our last meeting."
- *Example 2:* "Can you go over those figures one more time? I didn't quite understand."
- Spell out: To explain something in a very clear, detailed way.
- *Example 1:* "Could you spell out the implications of this new strategy for the team?"
- *Example 2:* "The contract was confusing, so we asked the lawyer to spell out the terms for us."
- Touch on: To mention a subject briefly.
- *Example 1:* "We don't have time to discuss it fully, but I want to touch on the feedback from the client survey."
- *Example 2:* "The CEO touched on the company's expansion plans during her speech."
Making Decisions & Contributing
- Weigh in: To give an opinion or contribute to a discussion.
- *Example 1:* "I'd like everyone to weigh in on this proposal before we make a final decision."
- *Example 2:* "Our legal team will weigh in on the potential risks."
- Back up: To support an argument or a person with evidence.
- *Example 1:* "The data from our research backs up my conclusion."
- *Example 2:* "I agree with Sarah, and I have some figures here to back her up."
Postponing & Ending the Meeting
- Put off: To postpone or delay something to a later time.
- *Example 1:* "We'll have to put off the discussion about the budget until next week."
- *Example 2:* "Due to a technical issue, the product launch has been put off."
- Call off: To cancel something completely.
- *Example 1:* "John is sick, so we need to call off the 3:00 PM meeting."
- *Example 2:* "They called off the merger at the last minute."
- Wrap up: To finish or conclude something.
- *Example 1:* "We're running out of time, so let's try to wrap up in the next five minutes."
- *Example 2:* "To wrap up, let's summarize the key decisions we've made today."
- Follow up on: To take further action or get more information about something later.
- *Example 1:* "I will follow up on the action items and send an email summary tomorrow."
- *Example 2:* "Can you please follow up on that client request we discussed?"
By practicing this core list of phrasal verbs for business meetings, you'll be better equipped to participate confidently and understand your colleagues more effectively. Consistent use is the key to making them a natural part of your professional vocabulary.
Frequently Asked Questions about Meeting Phrasals
What's the difference between 'put off' and 'call off' a meeting?
'Put off' means to postpone or reschedule the meeting for a later time or date. 'Call off' means to cancel the meeting entirely, with no immediate plan to reschedule it.
How can I remember these business phrasal verbs?
Practice is key. Try writing your own sentences using each verb. You can also create flashcards or actively listen for these phrases during your next online conference call and note how your colleagues use them.
Is it okay to use 'bring up' to introduce a difficult topic?
Yes, 'bring up' is a neutral and very common way to introduce any topic, including sensitive or difficult ones. For example: "I know it's a tough subject, but we need to bring up the recent budget cuts."
Which phrasal verb means to start a meeting?
The most common phrasal verb to start a meeting is 'kick off'. For example, you might hear the meeting leader say, "Welcome, everyone. Let's kick off this morning's session."
What does it mean to 'follow up on' something after a meeting?
To 'follow up on' something means to take the next required action after the meeting has concluded. This often involves sending a summary email, completing a task you were assigned, or contacting someone for more information.