Business Phrasal Verbs: 50 Essential Examples for Meetings
Learn 50 essential business phrasal verbs for meetings, presentations, and workplace communication at B2-C1 level.
Business Phrasal Verbs: 50 Essential Examples for Meetings
Master 50 essential phrasal verbs for professional meetings, presentations, and workplace communication at B2-C1 level.
Why This Matters
Phrasal verbs make up 80 percent of natural business English. Native speakers use them constantly in meetings. If you only know formal vocabulary, you will sound stiff and miss important context in fast conversations.
What Are Business Phrasal Verbs?
A phrasal verb is a verb combined with a preposition or adverb that changes the meaning. For example, "bring up" does not mean to bring something physically up. It means to introduce a topic. "Carry out" does not mean to carry something outside. It means to complete a task.
In business contexts, phrasal verbs are everywhere. Managers use them in emails, during meetings, and in performance reviews. Learning them is essential for C1-level workplace English.
50 Essential Business Phrasal Verbs by Category
Starting and Running Meetings
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Kick off | Start something | Let's kick off with the quarterly results. |
| Bring up | Introduce a topic | I'd like to bring up the budget issue. |
| Go over | Review or check | Let's go over the agenda quickly. |
| Run through | Practice quickly | Can you run through the presentation? |
| Touch on | Mention briefly | We touched on that in the last meeting. |
| Follow up on | Check progress | I will follow up on that next week. |
| Move on | Change topic | Can we move on to the next point? |
| Circle back | Return later | Let's circle back at the end. |
| Wrap up | Finish | Let's wrap up before lunch. |
| Hear from | Listen to input | I want to hear from the marketing team. |
Project Management and Tasks
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Carry out | Complete a task | We need to carry out the market research. |
| Set up | Establish | Let's set up a meeting for next week. |
| Roll out | Launch gradually | We will roll out the new system in phases. |
| Phase in | Introduce gradually | The changes will be phased in over six months. |
| Map out | Plan in detail | We mapped out the entire project timeline. |
| Flag up | Highlight | I want to flag up a potential issue. |
Tips for Learning Business Phrasal Verbs
Learn phrasal verbs in context, not from lists. Read business news articles and highlight every phrasal verb you find. Practice using 3 new phrasal verbs in each meeting you attend or simulate.
Use a tutor on iTalki to practice business English role plays. Tell them you want to practice phrasal verbs specifically for meetings and negotiations. You can also find specialized business English tutors on Preply who focus on workplace communication.
Common Mistakes
Do not separate inseparable phrasal verbs. For example, "look after the client" is correct but "look the client after" is wrong. Always check if a phrasal verb is separable or inseparable.
Do not overuse phrasal verbs. In very formal written communication, single-word verbs (investigate instead of look into) are sometimes more appropriate. Learn both versions.
FAQ
Are phrasal verbs used in formal business writing?
Some are common in formal writing (carry out, set up, go ahead). Others are too informal. Use formal alternatives in contracts and official documents.
How many phrasal verbs do I need for business English?
About 100-150 phrasal verbs cover most workplace situations. Start with the 50 in this guide and add more as you encounter them.
Can I use phrasal verbs in presentations?
Yes. Phrasal verbs make presentations sound natural and engaging. Use them moderately.
Practice Business English with a Tutor
For a complete list of everyday phrasal verbs, see our 50 essential phrasal verbs list. Our business email templates show you how to use them in real messages.Find a business English tutor on Preply or iTalki. Prices start at $5/hour.
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