As an English language student, you probably already know that the English language is FULL of phrasal verbs! Some are very casual, while others are appropriate (and necessary) in Business English. Do you know these useful Business English phrasal verbs? Most are used nearly every day by English speakers.
Phrasal Verbs for Business EnglishÂ
Call (someone) back
Definition: to return a phone call.
Example: “Can I call  you back?”
Transitive? Yes.
Separable? Yes, and obligatory.
Synonyms: return a call, phone someone, give someone a ringÂ
Check on (someone or something)
Definition: to get an update on the status of a person or a project.
Example: “I just wanted to check on you/the project.”
Transitive? Yes.
Separable? No.
Synonyms: get an update on something, get up to speed on something
Cut back on (something)
Definition: to spend less.
Example: We need to cut back on the cost of supplies.
Transitive? Yes.
Separable? No.
Synonyms: reduce spending, budget, reduce the budget, spend less on something
Hand in (something)
Definition: to give something to someone.
Example: I have to hand in the report by Monday.
Transitive? Yes.
Separable? Yes.
Synonyms: give, present, turn in, supply
Hand out (something)
Definition: to give copies of something to a number of people.
Example: “Please hand out the revised business plan to the employees.”
Transitive? Yes.
Separable? Yes.
Synonyms: pass out, give, give out, provide, supply, distribute
Figure out
Definition: to find an answer or solution.
Example: “We figured out why we lost so much money last week.”
Transitive? No.
Separable? Yes.
Synonyms: find the solution, find the answer, discover, realize
Lay off
Definition: to fire someone because there are problems with the company (not because there are problems with the employee).
Example: “I was laid off because of the company restructure.”
Transitive? No.
Separable? Yes.
Synonyms: fired, terminated, made redundant (British English)
Look over (something)
Definition: to review something.
Example: “I’ll look over the budget before it is approved.”
Transitive? Yes.
Separable? Yes.
Synonyms: review, inspect, read
Take on
Definition: to accept a new responsibility or project or employee.
Example: “We took on three new employees in my department.”
Transitive? Yes.
Separable? Yes.
Synonyms: accept, bring on
Send out (something)
Definition: to send something.
Example: “I sent out the new memo to all employees of the company.”
Transitive? Yes.
Separable? Yes.
Synonyms: send, mail, email, snail mail
Click here to learn more about CISL’s Business English programs.
Want to learn a little more Business English? Check out some of our other articles:
- Business terms every English student needs to know
- Idioms related to money problems
- CV or Resume?
- Beginning a Business English email