The 10 most common phrasal verbs for business meetings include expressions like bring up, follow up, look into, and wrap up. Mastering this essential workplace vocabulary is crucial for clear, professional communication and for understanding colleagues in any business setting.
Walking into a business meeting as a non-native English speaker can be daunting. The conversation moves quickly, and colleagues often use idiomatic expressions that you won't find in a standard textbook. Among the most common of these are phrasal verbs. These multi-word verbs can change their meaning completely based on the preposition that follows them, making them a challenge to learn. However, understanding the 10 most common phrasal verbs I need to know for business meetings will dramatically boost your confidence and comprehension.
Why are phrasal verbs so important for business communication?
Phrasal verbs are a cornerstone of fluent, natural English. While you can often find a more formal, single-word alternative (e.g., 'postpone' instead of 'put off'), native speakers use phrasal verbs constantly in both spoken and written communication. Learning them helps you in two key ways:
- Improve Your Understanding: You will be able to follow conversations on conference calls and in-person discussions without getting lost when someone says they will "look into the numbers" or need to "call off the event."
- Sound More Natural: Integrating phrasal verbs into your own vocabulary helps you sound less like a textbook and more like a fluent, confident speaker. It shows a deeper understanding of English communication nuances.
A breakdown of the 10 most common phrasal verbs for business meetings
Ready to elevate your professional vocabulary? Here is a detailed list of essential phrasal verbs, complete with definitions and real-world examples you can use in your next meeting.
Bring up
- Meaning: To introduce a topic for discussion.
- Example: "During the marketing update, I'd like to bring up the results from our latest social media campaign."
Follow up
- Meaning: To take further action or contact someone again to give more information.
- Example: "Thanks for the great ideas. I will follow up with an email summarizing the key action points from this call."
Look into
- Meaning: To investigate or examine a problem or situation.
- Example: "Several clients have reported a bug in the app. Could our technical team look into it immediately?"
Go over
- Meaning: To review or check something carefully.
- Example: "Before we submit the proposal, let's go over the budget section one last time to ensure it's accurate."
Wrap up
- Meaning: To finish or conclude something.
- Example: "We only have five minutes left, so let's try to wrap up the discussion and confirm next steps."
Call off
- Meaning: To cancel a planned event.
- Example: "Due to the keynote speaker's illness, we have to call off tomorrow's webinar."
Take on
- Meaning: To accept a new task or responsibility.
- Example: "I'm excited to take on the challenge of managing this new project."
Put forward
- Meaning: To propose or suggest an idea or plan for consideration.
- Example: "Jane put forward an innovative strategy to increase customer engagement."
Get back to (someone)
- Meaning: To contact someone at a later time with an answer or more information.
- Example: "I don't have the sales figures with me right now, but I will get back to you by the end of the day."
Set up
- Meaning: To arrange or organize a meeting or event.
- Example: "Could you please set up a conference call with the design team for next Wednesday morning?"
Conclusion: Your Next Steps
Integrating these expressions into your professional vocabulary won't happen overnight, but consistent practice is key. By focusing on learning the 10 most common phrasal verbs I need to know for business meetings, you build a strong foundation for more effective and confident communication. Start by listening for them in your next call, then try using one or two in an email. Soon, they will become a natural part of your business English toolkit.
Frequently Asked Questions about Phrasal Verbs in Business
How can I practice using phrasal verbs for work?
Start by actively listening for them during meetings and on conference calls. Write them down in a notebook with their context. Then, challenge yourself to use one new phrasal verb each day, perhaps in an internal email or a conversation with a colleague. Using flashcard apps like Anki or Quizlet can also be very effective for memorization.
Are phrasal verbs considered formal or informal in business?
This is a great question. While some phrasal verbs are very informal (e.g., 'chill out'), many are neutral and perfectly appropriate for all types of business communication. All ten of the phrasal verbs listed in this article are standard in professional environments, so you can use them with confidence.
What's the best phrasal verb for postponing a meeting?
The most common phrasal verb for postponing or delaying something is put off. For example: "We have to put off the client presentation until Friday because the report isn't ready yet."
What is the difference between a phrasal verb and an idiom?
A phrasal verb is a specific grammatical structure: a verb combined with an adverb or preposition (like 'look into'). An idiom is a fixed expression where the overall meaning is not clear from the individual words (like 'bite the bullet'). While some phrasal verbs can be idiomatic, they are fundamentally a type of verb, whereas idioms are a broader category of figurative expressions.