Some of the most common phrasal verbs for business meetings include 'call off' (to cancel), 'bring up' (to introduce a topic), and 'follow up' (to continue with something later). Mastering these essential expressions is key to communicating clearly and confidently in any professional English-speaking environment.
Whether you're in a formal boardroom or on a casual conference call, understanding and using the right vocabulary can make all the difference. While textbooks teach standard English, native speakers often use idiomatic expressions like phrasal verbs. Learning the most common phrasal verbs for business meetings will help you sound more natural, participate more effectively, and fully understand the discussion.
Why Are Common Phrasal Verbs for Business Meetings So Important?
Phrasal verbs combine a main verb with a preposition or an adverb (or both), creating a new meaning. For example, 'look' means to see, but 'look into' means to investigate. In a fast-paced business setting, these are used constantly.
Using them correctly shows a high level of fluency and helps you integrate better into professional communication. It allows you to grasp nuances and avoid misunderstandings, making you a more effective team member and communicator in your workplace English.
A List of the 10 Most Common Phrasal Verbs for Business Meetings
Here is a practical list of essential phrasal verbs you'll hear and use in your next meeting. We've included a clear definition and a business-focused example for each one.
- Call off
- Meaning: To cancel something.
- Example: "We had to call off the client meeting because their flight was delayed."
- Bring up
- Meaning: To introduce a topic for discussion.
- Example: "I'd like to bring up the issue of the quarterly budget at our next meeting."
- Follow up
- Meaning: To take further action or check on something after an initial contact.
- Example: "I will follow up with an email summarising the action points we discussed today."
- Go over
- Meaning: To review or examine something carefully.
- Example: "Before we make a decision, let's go over the sales figures one more time."
- Wrap up
- Meaning: To finish or conclude something.
- Example: "We only have five minutes left, so let's try to wrap up the discussion."
- Put forward
- Meaning: To propose or suggest an idea or plan.
- Example: "During the brainstorming session, Sarah put forward an excellent idea for the new marketing campaign."
- Draw up
- Meaning: To prepare a formal, written document.
- Example: "Our legal team will draw up the contract after we agree on the terms."
- Weigh in
- Meaning: To give your opinion or join a discussion.
- Example: "I'd like to ask the technical team to weigh in on the feasibility of this project."
- Look into
- Meaning: To investigate or research something.
- Example: "There's a problem with the supplier's invoice. Could you look into it for me?"
- Run something by/past someone
- Meaning: To show something to someone for their approval or opinion.
- Example: "This is a good draft, but I need to run it by my manager before we send it to the client."
How Can You Practice Using These Phrasal Verbs?
Knowing the list is the first step, but using them confidently requires practice. Here are a few tips:
- Active Listening: Pay close attention during your next conference call or meeting. Try to spot when your colleagues use these phrases.
- Write Them Down: Before your next meeting, write down 2-3 phrasal verbs you want to try using. Having a goal makes it easier to remember.
- Role-Play: Practice a mock meeting with a friend or fellow English learner. This builds muscle memory for using the phrases in conversation.
In conclusion, practicing these common phrasal verbs for business meetings will significantly boost your professional vocabulary and confidence. By integrating them into your speech, you'll not only understand discussions better but also contribute more effectively, demonstrating your fluency in business English.
Frequently Asked Questions About Business Meeting Phrasal Verbs
What's the difference between 'put off' and 'call off' a meeting?
'Call off' means to cancel the meeting completely with no plan to reschedule it. 'Put off' means to postpone or delay the meeting to a later time or date. Example: "We had to put off the meeting until next Friday."
How do I use 'follow up' in an email after a meeting?
You can start your email with a phrase like, "Following up on our meeting today..." or end it with, "I will follow up with you next week to check on the progress."
Are phrasal verbs too informal for business meetings?
Not at all! The phrasal verbs listed here are standard in professional and corporate communication. While some phrasal verbs can be very informal, these are widely accepted and used in business English around the world.
Can you 'bring forward' a meeting? What does it mean?
Yes, 'bring forward' is the opposite of 'put off'. It means to move a meeting to an earlier time or date. For example: "Could we bring forward our 11 am meeting to 10 am instead?"
What is a good way to remember phrasal verbs for work?
A great method is to group them by topic, like 'meetings' or 'projects'. Create flashcards with the phrasal verb on one side and its meaning plus an example sentence relevant to your job on the other. Reviewing them regularly helps with memorisation.