Business English Phrasal Verbs Flashcards
to ask around
to ask many people the same question
Example: I need a good real estate agent. Could you ask around and see if anyone knows one?
to back * up
to support
Thanks for backing me up in the meeting.
to call * back
to return a phone call
We have a bad connection. I’ll call you back in a few minutes.
to call * off
to cancel
Management is going to call the meeting off because so many people are out sick today.
to check in
to arrive and register at a hotel or airport
We checked in around 5 p.m. and then got something to eat.
to check in (with someone)
to talk with someone to ensure things are going okay
As a manager, I feel it’s important to check in with everyone on my team at least once a day.
to check out
to leave a hotel
We checked out a few hours late and had to pay an extra fee.
to check * out
to look at carefully, investigate
I’m not sure why the copier isn’t working. I’ll check it out.
to chip/pitch in
to help, to lend a hand
We should be able to finish quickly if everyone pitches in.
to come across
to find unexpectedly
I was reading last night and I came across a couple of phrasal verbs I had never seen before.
to count on
to rely on
We have a great team. I can count on everyone to do their best.
to cut back on
to consume less
It’s a tough economy. We’re trying to cut back on unnecessary expenses.
to cut in
to interrupt
Can I cut in and say something, please?
to do * over
to do again
I can’t believe I closed the document without saving. Now I’m going to have to do the whole thing over.
to do away with
to discard; to put an end to
They did away with bonuses last year because their profits were so low.
to drop * off
to take someone/something somewhere and leave them/it there
My car was in the shop, so Kevin dropped me off at my house.
to drop/stop by
to come without an appointment; to visit briefly
John dropped by my office to talk about last month’s sales figures.
to end up
to eventually reach, do, or decide
At first I thought I wanted to be an accountant. Then, I studied finance. I ended up getting my degree in management, though.
to figure * out
to understand; to find the answer
I can’t figure out why the printer isn’t working. I’ve tried everything, and it still won’t work.
to fill * out
to write information in blanks
Please fill out these forms and bring them on your first day of work.
to find out
to gain knowledge about something
I just found out how to forward my email from one account to another.
to get * back
to receive something that you had before
It’s a secure area, so you have to leave your cell phone with the guard. You’ll get it back when you exit the building.
to get back at
to retaliate; to take revenge on someone
He might get back at you for asking him so many tough questions during his presentation.
to get in
- to enter
- to arrive
- Get in the car. I’ll give you a ride.
- I worked late last night and didn’t get in until after 9 p.m.
to get over
to recover
I was upset that I didn’t get the promotion, but I got over it after a while.
to get together
to gather, assemble
This weekend I’m going to get together with some friends from college.
to get up
- to get out of bed
- to stand
- I get up late on the weekends because I have to get up really early during the week.
- He got up and walked to the podium to give his speech.
to give in
to reluctantly stop fighting or arguing
Management didn’t want to give in to the union’s demands, but in the end they had no choice.
to give * up
to quit a habit or quit doing a certain activity
I gave up checking Facebook at work. I’m trying to be more productive.
to give up
to stop trying
Just because we failed the first time doesn’t mean we should give up. We just need a new approach.
to go after
- to follow someone
- to try to achieve something
- Pam will give her talk first, and Scott will go after her.
- If we got their business, they would be our biggest client. I’m really going to go after the account.
to go against
to compete; oppose
We’re going against three or four other contractors. Be sure to bid low.
to go over
to review
I want to go over last month’s numbers with you.
to hand * in
to submit (a report, a paper, etc)
I forgot to hand in my expense reports. Now I won’t get reimbursed until next month.
to hand * out
to distribute the same thing to a group of people
I’ll start explaining the changes while Jason hands out a copy of the new policy.
to hang/hold on
to wait for a short time (informal)
Could you hang on for a second? I’ll be right there.
to keep * up
to continue doing something
You’re doing a fantastic job. Keep it up!
to let * down
to disappoint; to not help or support
Our suppliers promised us we’d have the shipment yesterday. We still haven’t received our order. They really let us down.
to let * in
to allow to enter
I forgot my badge again. Hopefully someone else is in the office and can let me in.
to look * over
to check; examine
Could you look over this report to make sure there are no mistakes?
to look forward to
to be excited about something in the future
I’m looking forward to the three-day weekend.
to look into
to investigate
We’re looking into ways to cut costs.
to look out for
to be careful, vigilant, and take notice
You must always look out for new business opportunities.
to look up to
to have a lot of respect for someone
I look up to Madeline. She has been with the company for many years and is extremely knowledgeable.
to make * up
- to invent (a story, lie, excuse, reason, etc.)
- to compensate for something
- I don’t believe their story. I think they made it up.
- I didn’t get anything accomplished yesterday. I’m going to have to work extra hard today to make up for it.
to make up
to resolve an argument or quarrel
Are they still fighting about that? I thought they had made up a while ago?
to mix * up
to confuse two or more things
I always mix their names up. Which one is Bob, and which one is Brad?
to not care for
to not like (formal)
I don’t care for team building activities. I think they are a waste of time.
to pass * out
to give the same thing to many people
Carly is passing out a schedule of today’s events.
to pass * up
to decline (usually something good)
Don’t pass up on this great opportunity. Place your order today.
to put * off
to postpone
I haven’t done my taxes yet. I’ve been putting it off for a long time.
to put * together
to assemble
How long will it take to put together a proposal?
to run into
to encounter someone unexpectedly
I ran into Stacey from Accounting in the supermarket yesterday.
to send * back
to return
The product was defective. We’re sending it back
to set * up
to arrange; organize
I’ll set up the conference call and send you the invite.
to shop around
to compare prices
He is shopping around to find the best price for a car.
to sort * out
to organize or resolve a problem
There was some confusion with the schedule. No one is sure who is on call this weekend. We’re calling a meeting to sort it out.
to take * back
- to return an item
- to retract a statement
- This product isn’t what I expected. I’m going to take it back to the store.
- I didn’t mean it. I take it back.
to think * over
to consider
Honestly, I don’t know what I’m going to do. The job offer is great, but I’m not sure I want to leave my current position. I’ll have to think it over.
to try * out
to test or use something experimentally
We’re going to try it out for a few weeks and let you know what we think. If we like it, we’ll place an order.
to turn * down
- to decrease the volume or strength of something (volume, heat, etc.)
- to reject an offer
- Could you turn your music down so I can take this call?
- They turned down our proposal.
to use * up
to finish the supply
I can’t believe it’s only May and I’ve already used up all my sick days.
