The 50 Most Common Phrasal Verbs for Business Meetings

Business meetings can feel difficult even when your general English is strong.
(English: Business meetings can feel difficult even when your general English is strong.)

You may understand every slide in a presentation, but then someone says “Let’s push this back,” “Can you follow up?” or “We need to iron this out,” and suddenly you are translating in your head instead of speaking naturally.
(English: You may understand every slide in a presentation, but then someone says “Let’s push this back,” “Can you follow up?” or “We need to iron this out,” and suddenly you are translating in your head instead of speaking naturally.)

The good news is that many business conversations repeat the same phrasal verbs again and again.
(English: The good news is that many business conversations repeat the same phrasal verbs again and again.)

If you learn the most common ones by function, you can understand meetings faster and respond with more confidence.
(English: If you learn the most common ones by function, you can understand meetings faster and respond with more confidence.)

Phrasal verbs are combinations like bring up, follow up, or carry out.
(English: Phrasal verbs are combinations like bring up, follow up, or carry out.)

In business English, they are everywhere because native speakers use them to sound natural, efficient, and direct.
(English: In business English, they are everywhere because native speakers use them to sound natural, efficient, and direct.)

Below, you’ll learn 50 high-frequency phrasal verbs grouped by real workplace function so you can actually use them in meetings, emails, and negotiations.
(English: Below, you’ll learn 50 high-frequency phrasal verbs grouped by real workplace function so you can actually use them in meetings, emails, and negotiations.)

Why phrasal verbs matter so much in business English

Many learners study formal business vocabulary first: discuss, postpone, establish, investigate, resolve.
(English: Many learners study formal business vocabulary first: discuss, postpone, establish, investigate, resolve.)

Those words are useful.
(English: Those words are useful.)

But in real meetings, colleagues often prefer shorter, more natural phrasal verbs:
(English: But in real meetings, colleagues often prefer shorter, more natural phrasal verbs:)

• discuss → bring up
• postpone → put off
• establish → set up
• investigate → look into
• resolve → sort out

That is why business English can feel strange.
(English: That is why business English can feel strange.)

You know the formal word, but the meeting uses the phrasal version.
(English: You know the formal word, but the meeting uses the phrasal version.)

Compare:
(English: Compare:)

✓ Can we bring up the budget issue in today’s meeting?
(English: Can we bring up the budget issue in today’s meeting?)

✗ Can we discuss about the budget issue in today’s meeting?
(English: Can we discuss about the budget issue in today’s meeting?)

✓ We had to put off the meeting until Friday.
(English: We had to put off the meeting until Friday.)

✗ We had to move out the meeting until Friday.
(English: We had to move out the meeting until Friday.)

A second problem is production.
(English: A second problem is production.)

You may recognize follow up when reading an email, but when speaking, you pause and say something unnatural like “I will write again about this topic.”
(English: You may recognize follow up when reading an email, but when speaking, you pause and say something unnatural like “I will write again about this topic.”)

This is exactly the kind of gap we focus on in VerbPal.
(English: This is exactly the kind of gap we focus on in VerbPal.)

Our drills are built for active production, so you do not just recognize a pattern — you can produce it quickly under pressure when a real meeting is happening.
(English: Our drills are built for active production, so you do not just recognize a pattern — you can produce it quickly under pressure when a real meeting is happening.)

Lexi, our dog 🐶, also helps learners notice pattern families instead of memorising isolated items. In business English, that means seeing logic in clusters like scheduling verbs (put off, push back, bring forward), problem-solving verbs (sort out, work out, iron out), and communication verbs (follow up, get back to, reach out).
(English: Lexi, our dog, also helps learners notice pattern families instead of memorising isolated items. In business English, that means seeing logic in clusters like scheduling verbs, problem-solving verbs, and communication verbs.)

Pro Tip: Learn phrasal verbs in groups by situation, not as one long list.
(English: Learn phrasal verbs in groups by situation, not as one long list.)

Your brain remembers meeting language, email language, and negotiation language better than random vocabulary.
(English: Your brain remembers meeting language, email language, and negotiation language better than random vocabulary.)

1. Phrasal verbs for starting, organising, and managing meetings

These are the verbs you will hear when teams plan meetings, begin discussions, and manage agendas.
(English: These are the verbs you will hear when teams plan meetings, begin discussions, and manage agendas.)

1) set up

Meaning: arrange or organise
Significado: organizar o preparar

✓ Could you set up a meeting with the finance team for Thursday?
(English: Could you set up a meeting with the finance team for Thursday?)

✗ Could you make up a meeting with the finance team for Thursday?
(English: Could you make up a meeting with the finance team for Thursday?)

2) bring up

Meaning: introduce a topic for discussion
Significado: sacar un tema para discutir

✓ I’d like to bring up one concern before we move on.
(English: I’d like to bring up one concern before we move on.)

✗ I’d like to rise up one concern before we move on.
(English: I’d like to rise up one concern before we move on.)

3) go over

Meaning: review something carefully
Significado: revisar algo con cuidado

✓ Let’s go over the agenda before everyone joins.
(English: Let’s go over the agenda before everyone joins.)

✗ Let’s go through over the agenda before everyone joins.
(English: Let’s go through over the agenda before everyone joins.)

4) kick off

Meaning: start something, especially a meeting or project
Significado: empezar algo, especialmente una reunión o un proyecto

✓ We’ll kick off the meeting at 10 sharp.
(English: We’ll kick off the meeting at 10 sharp.)

✗ We’ll start off it the meeting at 10 sharp.
(English: We’ll start off it the meeting at 10 sharp.)

5) run through

Meaning: go through something quickly or step by step
Significado: repasar algo rápidamente o paso a paso

✓ Can we run through the main points one more time?
(English: Can we run through the main points one more time?)

✗ Can we run over through the main points one more time?
(English: Can we run over through the main points one more time?)

6) move on

Meaning: continue to the next point
Significado: pasar al siguiente punto

✓ If there are no questions, let’s move on to the next item.
(English: If there are no questions, let’s move on to the next item.)

✗ If there are no questions, let’s go on to next item.
(English: If there are no questions, let’s go on to next item.)

7) wrap up

Meaning: finish or conclude
Significado: terminar o concluir

✓ Let’s wrap up in the next five minutes.
(English: Let’s wrap up in the next five minutes.)

✗ Let’s close up in the next five minutes.
(English: Let’s close up in the next five minutes.)

8) point out

Meaning: draw attention to something
Significado: señalar algo

✓ I’d like to point out a risk in the current plan.
(English: I’d like to point out a risk in the current plan.)

✗ I’d like to show out a risk in the current plan.
(English: I’d like to show out a risk in the current plan.)

9) leave out

Meaning: omit, not include
Significado: omitir, no incluir

✓ We accidentally left out the sales figures from Q4.
(English: We accidentally left out the sales figures from Q4.)

✗ We accidentally put out the sales figures from Q4.
(English: We accidentally put out the sales figures from Q4.)

10) sum up

Meaning: summarise
Significado: resumir

✓ Could you sum up the key decisions before we end?
(English: Could you sum up the key decisions before we end?)

✗ Could you resume up the key decisions before we end?
(English: Could you resume up the key decisions before we end?)

🔊 🔊

Pro Tip: In meetings, bring up, go over, move on, and wrap up are especially common.
(English: In meetings, bring up, go over, move on, and wrap up are especially common.)

Master these four first if you want quick progress.
(English: Master these four first if you want quick progress.)

2. Phrasal verbs for scheduling, delaying, and changing plans

Meetings rarely happen exactly as planned.
(English: Meetings rarely happen exactly as planned.)

These verbs help you talk about changes, delays, and timing.
(English: These verbs help you talk about changes, delays, and timing.)

11) put off

Meaning: postpone
Significado: posponer

✓ We had to put off the client call until next week.
(English: We had to put off the client call until next week.)

✗ We had to put away the client call until next week.
(English: We had to put away the client call until next week.)

12) push back

Meaning: delay to a later time
Significado: retrasar a un momento posterior

✓ They’ve pushed back the launch meeting by two days.
(English: They’ve pushed back the launch meeting by two days.)

✗ They’ve pushed out the launch meeting by two days.
(English: They’ve pushed out the launch meeting by two days.)

Note: In many workplaces, push back is extremely common for schedules.
(English: In many workplaces, push back is extremely common for schedules.)

13) bring forward

Meaning: move to an earlier time
Significado: mover a un momento anterior

✓ Can we bring forward the review meeting to Tuesday?
(English: Can we bring forward the review meeting to Tuesday?)

✗ Can we bring in the review meeting to Tuesday?
(English: Can we bring in the review meeting to Tuesday?)

14) call off

Meaning: cancel
Significado: cancelar

✓ We had to call off the workshop because the speaker was ill.
(English: We had to call off the workshop because the speaker was ill.)

✗ We had to cut off the workshop because the speaker was ill.
(English: We had to cut off the workshop because the speaker was ill.)

15) hold off

Meaning: delay doing something for a short time
Significado: retrasar hacer algo por poco tiempo

✓ Let’s hold off on making a final decision until legal replies.
(English: Let’s hold off on making a final decision until legal replies.)

✗ Let’s wait off on making a final decision until legal replies.
(English: Let’s wait off on making a final decision until legal replies.)

16) fit in

Meaning: find time for something in a busy schedule
Significado: encontrar tiempo para algo en una agenda ocupada

✓ Can you fit in a quick check-in this afternoon?
(English: Can you fit in a quick check-in this afternoon?)

✗ Can you put in a quick check-in this afternoon?
(English: Can you put in a quick check-in this afternoon?)

17) turn up

Meaning: arrive, appear
Significado: aparecer, llegar

✓ Only half the team turned up to the weekly update.
(English: Only half the team turned up to the weekly update.)

✗ Only half the team came up to the weekly update.
(English: Only half the team came up to the weekly update.)

18) show up

Meaning: arrive, appear
Significado: presentarse, aparecer

✓ The supplier didn’t show up for the meeting.
(English: The supplier didn’t show up for the meeting.)

✗ The supplier didn’t present up for the meeting.
(English: The supplier didn’t present up for the meeting.)

19) drop by

Meaning: visit informally, often briefly
Significado: pasar a ver a alguien de manera informal y breve

✓ I can drop by your office after lunch to discuss it.
(English: I can drop by your office after lunch to discuss it.)

✗ I can drop in it your office after lunch to discuss it.
(English: I can drop in it your office after lunch to discuss it.)

20) step in

Meaning: become involved to help or take control
Significado: intervenir para ayudar o tomar el control

✓ Our manager had to step in when the discussion became tense.
(English: Our manager had to step in when the discussion became tense.)

✗ Our manager had to step up in when the discussion became tense.
(English: Our manager had to step up in when the discussion became tense.)

Pro Tip: Put off, push back, and call off are easy to confuse.
(English: Put off, push back, and call off are easy to confuse.)

Remember: put off/push back = delay, but call off = cancel completely.
(English: Remember: put off/push back = delay, but call off = cancel completely.)

3. Phrasal verbs for discussing tasks, action points, and project progress

These verbs are common when teams assign work, report progress, and track what still needs to happen.
(English: These verbs are common when teams assign work, report progress, and track what still needs to happen.)

21) carry out

Meaning: perform, conduct, complete
Significado: realizar, llevar a cabo, completar

✓ The team will carry out a full market analysis this month.
(English: The team will carry out a full market analysis this month.)

✗ The team will do out a full market analysis this month.
(English: The team will do out a full market analysis this month.)

22) work on

Meaning: spend time improving or developing something
Significado: dedicar tiempo a mejorar o desarrollar algo

✓ We’re still working on the final proposal.
(English: We’re still working on the final proposal.)

✗ We’re still working at the final proposal.
(English: We’re still working at the final proposal.)

23) deal with

Meaning: handle a problem or task
Significado: encargarse de un problema o tarea

✓ I’ll deal with the customer complaint this afternoon.
(English: I’ll deal with the customer complaint this afternoon.)

✗ I’ll deal to the customer complaint this afternoon.
(English: I’ll deal to the customer complaint this afternoon.)

24) sort out

Meaning: resolve or organise
Significado: resolver u organizar

✓ We need to sort out the pricing issue before Friday.
(English: We need to sort out the pricing issue before Friday.)

✗ We need to sort up the pricing issue before Friday.
(English: We need to sort up the pricing issue before Friday.)

25) look into

Meaning: investigate
Significado: investigar

✓ HR is looking into the matter now.
(English: HR is looking into the matter now.)

✗ HR is looking for the matter now.
(English: HR is looking for the matter now.)

26) take on

Meaning: accept responsibility for work
Significado: asumir responsabilidad por un trabajo

✓ She agreed to take on the client presentation.
(English: She agreed to take on the client presentation.)

✗ She agreed to take in the client presentation.
(English: She agreed to take in the client presentation.)

27) hand in

Meaning: submit
Significado: entregar

✓ Please hand in your expense reports by Monday.
(English: Please hand in your expense reports by Monday.)

✗ Please give in your expense reports by Monday.
(English: Please give in your expense reports by Monday.)

28) send out

Meaning: distribute to many people
Significado: distribuir a muchas personas

✓ We’ll send out the minutes after the meeting.
(English: We’ll send out the minutes after the meeting.)

✗ We’ll send off out the minutes after the meeting.
(English: We’ll send off out the minutes after the meeting.)

29) fill in

Meaning: complete information; also temporarily replace someone
Significado: completar información; también sustituir temporalmente a alguien

✓ Could you fill in this section of the report?
(English: Could you fill in this section of the report?)

✓ Can you fill in for me while I’m on leave?
(English: Can you fill in for me while I’m on leave?)

30) check on

Meaning: see how something is progressing
Significado: comprobar cómo avanza algo

✓ I’ll check on the design team tomorrow morning.
(English: I’ll check on the design team tomorrow morning.)

✗ I’ll check about the design team tomorrow morning.
(English: I’ll check about the design team tomorrow morning.)

If you want extra practice with active production, our English drills at Learn English with VerbPal are designed to bring back patterns like these right before you forget them.
(English: If you want extra practice with active production, our English drills at Learn English with VerbPal are designed to bring back patterns like these right before you forget them.)

We use the SM-2 spaced repetition algorithm so common but slippery phrases such as sort out, look into, and carry out come back at the right moment for long-term memory.
(English: We use the SM-2 spaced repetition algorithm so common but slippery phrases such as sort out, look into, and carry out come back at the right moment for long-term memory.)

Pro Tip: Use look into for investigation and sort out for resolution.
(English: Use look into for investigation and sort out for resolution.)

First you look into the problem; then you sort out the problem.
(English: First you look into the problem; then you sort out the problem.)

4. Phrasal verbs for emails, updates, and professional communication

A lot of business communication happens before and after the meeting.
(English: A lot of business communication happens before and after the meeting.)

These phrasal verbs are especially useful in email and follow-up messages.
(English: These phrasal verbs are especially useful in email and follow-up messages.)

31) follow up

Meaning: contact someone again after an earlier message or meeting
Significado: volver a contactar a alguien después de un mensaje o reunión anterior

✓ I’m just following up on our conversation yesterday.
(English: I’m just following up on our conversation yesterday.)

✗ I’m just continuing up on our conversation yesterday.
(English: I’m just continuing up on our conversation yesterday.)

32) get back to

Meaning: reply later
Significado: responder más tarde

✓ I’ll get back to you once I’ve checked the figures.
(English: I’ll get back to you once I’ve checked the figures.)

✗ I’ll return to you once I’ve checked the figures.
(English: I’ll return to you once I’ve checked the figures.)

33) reply to

Meaning: answer a message
Significado: responder a un mensaje

✓ Please reply to all by the end of the day.
(English: Please reply to all by the end of the day.)

Note: This is a verb + preposition pattern rather than a classic phrasal verb, but it is extremely common in business communication.
(English: This is a verb + preposition pattern rather than a classic phrasal verb, but it is extremely common in business communication.)

34) reach out

Meaning: contact someone, often to ask for help or start communication
Significado: contactar a alguien, a menudo para pedir ayuda o iniciar comunicación

✓ I’ll reach out to the vendor for clarification.
(English: I’ll reach out to the vendor for clarification.)

✗ I’ll arrive out to the vendor for clarification.
(English: I’ll arrive out to the vendor for clarification.)

35) copy in

Meaning: include someone in an email
Significado: incluir a alguien en un correo

✓ Please copy in the legal team on your response.
(English: Please copy in the legal team on your response.)

✗ Please add in the legal team on your response.
(English: Please add in the legal team on your response.)

36) send over

Meaning: send, usually electronically and often informally
Significado: enviar, normalmente de forma electrónica e informal

✓ Can you send over the latest version of the contract?
(English: Can you send over the latest version of the contract?)

✗ Can you send across over the latest version of the contract?
(English: Can you send across over the latest version of the contract?)

37) write up

Meaning: prepare a full written version of notes or findings
Significado: redactar una versión completa por escrito de notas o hallazgos

✓ I’ll write up the meeting notes this afternoon.
(English: I’ll write up the meeting notes this afternoon.)

✗ I’ll write down up the meeting notes this afternoon.
(English: I’ll write down up the meeting notes this afternoon.)

38) read through

Meaning: read carefully from beginning to end
Significado: leer cuidadosamente de principio a fin

✓ Please read through the proposal before tomorrow’s call.
(English: Please read through the proposal before tomorrow’s call.)

✗ Please read over through the proposal before tomorrow’s call.
(English: Please read over through the proposal before tomorrow’s call.)

39) point out

Meaning: highlight something important
Significado: señalar algo importante

✓ Thanks for pointing out the error in paragraph three.
(English: Thanks for pointing out the error in paragraph three.)

This one works in meetings and emails.
(English: This one works in meetings and emails.)

40) come back to

Meaning: return to a topic later
Significado: volver a un tema más tarde

✓ Let’s come back to that question after we review the numbers.
(English: Let’s come back to that question after we review the numbers.)

✗ Let’s return back to that question after we review the numbers.
(English: Let’s return back to that question after we review the numbers.)

Pro Tip: In emails, follow up and get back to are essential.
(English: In emails, follow up and get back to are essential.)

Use follow up when you contact again; use get back to when you promise a later reply.
(English: Use follow up when you contact again; use get back to when you promise a later reply.)

5. Phrasal verbs for negotiations, decisions, and problem-solving

These are common when people disagree, negotiate terms, or try to reach a final decision.
(English: These are common when people disagree, negotiate terms, or try to reach a final decision.)

41) turn down

Meaning: reject, refuse
Significado: rechazar

✓ The client turned down our first proposal.
(English: The client turned down our first proposal.)

✗ The client put down our first proposal.
(English: The client put down our first proposal.)

42) back down

Meaning: withdraw a position in an argument or negotiation
Significado: ceder una postura en una discusión o negociación

✓ Neither side wanted to back down during the pricing discussion.
(English: Neither side wanted to back down during the pricing discussion.)

✗ Neither side wanted to go down during the pricing discussion.
(English: Neither side wanted to go down during the pricing discussion.)

43) work out

Meaning: find a solution; also end successfully
Significado: encontrar una solución; también salir bien

✓ I’m sure we can work out a compromise.
(English: I’m sure we can work out a compromise.)

✗ I’m sure we can find out a compromise.
(English: I’m sure we can find out a compromise.)

44) iron out

Meaning: remove small problems and disagreements
Significado: resolver pequeños problemas y desacuerdos

✓ We still need to iron out a few details in the contract.
(English: We still need to iron out a few details in the contract.)

✗ We still need to smooth out a few details in the contract.
(English: We still need to smooth out a few details in the contract.)

Note: smooth out exists too, but iron out is especially common in business contexts.
(English: smooth out exists too, but iron out is especially common in business contexts.)

45) agree on

Meaning: reach agreement about something
Significado: ponerse de acuerdo sobre algo

✓ Have we agreed on the final budget?
(English: Have we agreed on the final budget?)

✗ Have we agreed with the final budget?
(English: Have we agreed with the final budget?)

46) go ahead

Meaning: proceed, continue
Significado: seguir adelante, continuar

✓ If everyone is happy, we’ll go ahead with the plan.
(English: If everyone is happy, we’ll go ahead with the plan.)

✗ If everyone is happy, we’ll go on ahead with the plan.
(English: If everyone is happy, we’ll go on ahead with the plan.)

47) rule out

Meaning: decide that something is not possible or not suitable
Significado: descartar algo como imposible o inadecuado

✓ We can’t rule out further delays at this stage.
(English: We can’t rule out further delays at this stage.)

✗ We can’t cross out further delays at this stage.
(English: We can’t cross out further delays at this stage.)

48) bring in

Meaning: involve someone from outside; introduce something new
Significado: incorporar a alguien de fuera; introducir algo nuevo

✓ We may need to bring in an external consultant.
(English: We may need to bring in an external consultant.)

✗ We may need to take in an external consultant.
(English: We may need to take in an external consultant.)

49) take over

Meaning: assume control or responsibility
Significado: asumir el control o la responsabilidad

✓ James will take over the negotiation from here.
(English: James will take over the negotiation from here.)

✗ James will take on over the negotiation from here.
(English: James will take on over the negotiation from here.)

50) close down

Meaning: stop operating; shut permanently or for a period
Significado: dejar de operar; cerrar de forma permanente o por un periodo

✓ The company had to close down two regional offices.
(English: The company had to close down two regional offices.)

✗ The company had to shut off two regional offices.
(English: The company had to shut off two regional offices.)

Pro Tip: In negotiations, work out, iron out, and agree on often appear together.
(English: In negotiations, work out, iron out, and agree on often appear together.)

First you work out a solution, then iron out the details, and finally agree on the final terms.
(English: First you work out a solution, then iron out the details, and finally agree on the final terms.)

6. Common mistakes with business phrasal verbs

Even advanced learners make the same errors again and again.
(English: Even advanced learners make the same errors again and again.)

Here are the big ones.
(English: Here are the big ones.)

1. Using the wrong particle

A small word changes the whole meaning.
(English: A small word changes the whole meaning.)

✓ We had to put off the meeting.
(English: We had to put off the meeting.)

✗ We had to put out the meeting.
(English: We had to put out the meeting.)

✓ I’ll get back to you tomorrow.
(English: I’ll get back to you tomorrow.)

✗ I’ll get back you tomorrow.
(English: I’ll get back you tomorrow.)

2. Translating directly from your first language

Many learners choose a literal translation that sounds unnatural in English.
(English: Many learners choose a literal translation that sounds unnatural in English.)

✓ I’ll follow up next week.
(English: I’ll follow up next week.)

Less natural: I’ll contact again next week.
(English: Less natural: I’ll contact again next week.)

✓ Can we bring up one more issue?
(English: Can we bring up one more issue?)

Less natural: Can we open one more issue?
(English: Less natural: Can we open one more issue?)

3. Mixing formal and informal patterns badly

Formal words are not wrong, but mixing them strangely can sound awkward.
(English: Formal words are not wrong, but mixing them strangely can sound awkward.)

✓ We need to look into the complaint.
(English: We need to look into the complaint.)

✓ We need to investigate the complaint.
(English: We need to investigate the complaint.)

✗ We need to make an investigation into the complaint in a quick meeting update.
(English: We need to make an investigation into the complaint in a quick meeting update.)

4. Recognising but not producing

This is the classic ESL problem.
(English: This is the classic ESL problem.)

You understand “Let’s wrap up”, but when it is your turn to speak, you say “Let’s finish this meeting now”.
(English: You understand “Let’s wrap up”, but when it is your turn to speak, you say “Let’s finish this meeting now”.)

That sentence is grammatical, but it may sound less natural in that business context.
(English: That sentence is grammatical, but it may sound less natural in that business context.)

This is why we built VerbPal around production.
(English: This is why we built VerbPal around production.)

Lexi appears in drill sessions to give pattern-based tips, and our review system keeps bringing back the verbs you almost know — the most dangerous category for real-world fluency.
(English: Lexi appears in drill sessions to give pattern-based tips, and our review system keeps bringing back the verbs you almost know — the most dangerous category for real-world fluency.)

Pro Tip: When you learn a phrasal verb, always learn one short business sentence with it.
(English: When you learn a phrasal verb, always learn one short business sentence with it.)

Do not memorise only the translation.
(English: Do not memorise only the translation.)

7. A practical study method for mastering business phrasal verbs

A list of 50 phrasal verbs is useful only if you can actually use them.
(English: A list of 50 phrasal verbs is useful only if you can actually use them.)

Here is a simple study system.
(English: Here is a simple study system.)

Step 1: Learn by function

Study small groups:
(English: Study small groups:)

• meetings: bring up, go over, move on, wrap up
• scheduling: put off, push back, call off
• emails: follow up, get back to, reach out
• negotiations: work out, iron out, turn down

Step 2: Learn one example you can really say

Not a strange dictionary sentence.
(English: Not a strange dictionary sentence.)

Use something from your work life.
(English: Use something from your work life.)

• I need to follow up with the client.
  (English: I need to follow up with the client.)

• Can we push back the meeting?
  (English: Can we push back the meeting?)

• Let’s go over the numbers.
  (English: Let’s go over the numbers.)

• We still need to iron out the details.
  (English: We still need to iron out the details.)

Step 3: Practise active recall

Cover the answer and force yourself to produce the phrasal verb.
(English: Cover the answer and force yourself to produce the phrasal verb.)

• postpone a meeting → put off
• contact again after a meeting → follow up
• investigate a problem → look into
• summarise at the end → sum up

Step 4: Recycle the verbs over time

Cramming is not enough.
(English: Cramming is not enough.)

You need review.
(English: You need review.)

At VerbPal, we use the SM-2 spaced repetition algorithm so your review sessions happen at the moment when retrieval is effortful enough to strengthen memory.
(English: At VerbPal, we use the SM-2 spaced repetition algorithm so your review sessions happen at the moment when retrieval is effortful enough to strengthen memory.)

That matters a lot for business English because under pressure, weak vocabulary disappears first.
(English: That matters a lot for business English because under pressure, weak vocabulary disappears first.)

Step 5: Use them in writing before speaking

If speaking feels stressful, start in emails:
(English: If speaking feels stressful, start in emails:)

• I’m following up on our last conversation.
  (English: I’m following up on our last conversation.)

• I’ll get back to you tomorrow.
  (English: I’ll get back to you tomorrow.)

• Please read through the attached file.
  (English: Please read through the attached file.)

• Let’s come back to this next week.
  (English: Let’s come back to this next week.)

Then move them into meetings.
(English: Then move them into meetings.)

If you also want a broader introduction to phrasal verb families, see our guide to Get, Take, Go: Phrasal verbs.
(English: If you also want a broader introduction to phrasal verb families, see our guide to Get, Take, Go: Phrasal verbs.)

For more general grammar support, you can browse the VerbPal blog or practise specific verbs in our English conjugation tables.
(English: For more general grammar support, you can browse the VerbPal blog or practise specific verbs in our English conjugation tables.)

Pro Tip: Your goal is not to know 50 phrasal verbs perfectly in one day.
(English: Your goal is not to know 50 phrasal verbs perfectly in one day.)

Your goal is to make the top 10 feel automatic, then build from there.
(English: Your goal is to make the top 10 feel automatic, then build from there.)

FAQ: Business phrasal verbs

Are phrasal verbs too informal for business English?

No.
(English: No.)

Many phrasal verbs are completely normal in professional English.
(English: Many phrasal verbs are completely normal in professional English.)

In fact, native speakers often prefer them in meetings and emails.
(English: In fact, native speakers often prefer them in meetings and emails.)

Follow up, set up, carry out, look into, and work out are all common in business contexts.
(English: Follow up, set up, carry out, look into, and work out are all common in business contexts.)

What are the most important business phrasal verbs to learn first?

Start with these ten: bring up, go over, follow up, get back to, set up, put off, push back, look into, sort out, work out.
(English: Start with these ten: bring up, go over, follow up, get back to, set up, put off, push back, look into, sort out, work out.)

These appear constantly in meetings, emails, and project updates.
(English: These appear constantly in meetings, emails, and project updates.)

What is the difference between “follow up” and “get back to”?

Use follow up when you contact someone again after an earlier interaction.
(English: Use follow up when you contact someone again after an earlier interaction.)

Use get back to when you promise to reply later.
(English: Use get back to when you promise to reply later.)

• I’m following up on yesterday’s meeting.
  (English: I’m following up on yesterday’s meeting.)

• I’ll get back to you tomorrow.
  (English: I’ll get back to you tomorrow.)

How can I remember phrasal verbs better?

Use active recall, short example sentences, and spaced review.
(English: Use active recall, short example sentences, and spaced review.)

That is exactly how we structure practice in VerbPal: production first, then timed review, so the phrase becomes available when you need it.
(English: That is exactly how we structure practice in VerbPal: production first, then timed review, so the phrase becomes available when you need it.)

Where can I practise more English verb patterns?

You can explore the VerbPal homepage, browse our learn English page, or practise individual verbs with our English conjugation tables.
(English: You can explore the VerbPal homepage, browse our learn English page, or practise individual verbs with our English conjugation tables.)

If business English is your focus, you may also like our post on the Do vs. Make cheat sheet.
(English: If business English is your focus, you may also like our post on the Do vs. Make cheat sheet.)