Today is all about phrasal verbs in a business context. If you’re now scratching your head and wondering what phrasal verbs are, you can check out Lauren’s video on business phrasal verbs Lauren’s video on business phrasal verbs. She explains clearly what a phrasal verb is and gives you 5 examples.
In this post we are adding 15 more phrasal verbs that you can use for work. We have grouped them together according to the situation they will most likely be used in, e.g. in the office in general, in a team meeting or when you’re solving a problem with a client. Of course they can be used in other contexts as well.
In the Office
Phrasal Verb | Definition/Synonym | Example |
(to) get in | (to) enter sth. (to) arrive somewhere | Did he get in through the front door? I got in early this morning and had to unlock the front door. |
(to) hand sth. in | (to) submit sth. | Has Justin already handed in his | ?
(to) look for sth. | (to) search for sth. | Brittany is looking for her phone charger. |
(to) shop around for sth. | (to) compare prices | Our usual supplier is out of markers so we have to shop around for new ones. |
(to) use sth. up | (to) finish sth. | Somebody used up the paper and didn’t refill the printer. |
In a team meeting
Phrasal Verb | Definition/Synonym | Example |
(to) check in with | (to) find out how sb. is doing. | I called this meeting to check in with everybody to see how the project is progressing. |
(to) count on sb./sth. | (to) rely on sb/sth. | We counted on Paul’s insight but unfortunately he left the company. |
(to) drop by | (to) visit without an appointment | Why don’t you drop by my office after the meeting, and I’ll show you how to use the program? |
(to) fit in | (to) find room | I’m not sure I can fit another client in before Christmas. |
(to) pitch in | (to) help | If everybody pitches in, we’ll get this issue sorted in no time! |
Solving a problem
Phrasal Verb | Definition/Synonym | Example |
(to) figure sth. out | (to) understand sth. | , I’m trying to figure out what happened with your application. |
(to) give up | (to) stop trying | Don’t give up! We will find a solution. |
(to) mix sth. up | (to) put things in the wrong order | I’m sorry, we must have mixed your order up with someone else’s order. |
(to) run into | (to) meet sb. unexpectedly (to) encounter problems unexpectedly | I ran into Mary yesterday. Her baby is already 3 months old. We’ve run into this problem before, it won’t take long to fix it. |
(to) think sth. over | (to) consider | The issue is | than I thought. I’ll have to think it over.
What are your favourite phrasal verbs to use at work? Is there a phrasal verb you would like to use more often but you keep forgetting? Let us know on social media, or email us at lesbonsmots@lesateliers.ca.