![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fixygrammar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/business-English-phrasal-verbs-illustration-1024x683.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nThis guide is your cheat sheet to dominating boardroom banter and sounding less like someone who translated their sentence in Google and more like someone who was born in a spreadsheet. Whether you\u2019re a student trying to level up or a professional who keeps hearing \u201ccircle back\u201d and thinking it\u2019s about office chairs, this one\u2019s for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Phrasal Verbs for Meetings<\/h2>\n\n\n\nRun through<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMeaning: Review something quickly, like your sanity before a Monday meeting. Example: “Let’s run through the agenda before the client arrives.” It works well with simple present tense structures<\/a>, especially when you want to sound prepared even though you just read the email.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPut forward<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMeaning: Suggest something, hopefully smarter than what Steve just said. Example: “She put forward a new strategy for the next quarter.” Pro tip: This is not the same as ‘put up with’, which is what we do with Steve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bring up<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMeaning: Casually toss a topic into the corporate void. Example: “I want to bring up the budget concerns during the meeting.” Best used when you want to sound like a responsible adult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Phrasal Verbs for Project Management<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fixygrammar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/project-management-phrasal-verbs-683x1024.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nDraw up<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMeaning: Create something formal, like a contract or a to-do list you\u2019ll ignore. Example: “They drew up a new contract for the supplier.” This one makes you sound like a lawyer, or at least someone with a working printer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Carry out<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMeaning: Actually do the thing you said you would. Imagine that. Example: “The team successfully carried out the new marketing strategy.” Sounds way more competent than just \u201cdid it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Follow up<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMeaning: Check in like a polite stalker. Example: “Please follow up with the client next week.” Bonus: You can\u2019t be passive-aggressive without a good email comma<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPhrasal Verbs for Negotiations<\/h2>\n\n\n\nBack down<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMeaning: Politely surrender so everyone can move on with their lives. Example: “After some pushback, they backed down on the price.” It\u2019s like waving the white flag but in business casual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Talk over<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMeaning: Discuss thoroughly, not just blurt opinions in Slack. Example: “Let\u2019s talk it over before making a decision.” Note: Also means interrupt someone, but hey, nuance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Break down<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMeaning: Explain it like everyone\u2019s five. Example: “Can you break down the budget forecast for us?” And if you need help with sentence basics, simple subjects<\/a> are your friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPhrasal Verbs for Customer Relations<\/h2>\n\n\n\nReach out<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMeaning: Contact someone in a non-creepy, businessy way. Example: “I\u2019ll reach out to the client with the proposal.” Translation: I\u2019ll send an email and then panic if they don\u2019t reply in five minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/fixygrammar.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/customer-communication-phrasal-verbs-1024x683.png\")
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nSet up<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMeaning: Organize a meeting, a call, or your life. Example: “I\u2019ll set up a call with the sales team.” This phrase is basically productivity cosplay. Also seen in simple sentences<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\nPhrasal Verbs for Reporting and Approval<\/h2>\n\n\n\nSign off on<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMeaning: Approve something like a boss (or by your boss). Example: “The CEO signed off on the new campaign.” Use when pretending things don\u2019t get lost in 47 Slack threads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Look over<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMeaning: Give it the ol\u2019 review-and-pretend-you-read-it treatment. Example: “Can you look over the final draft before submission?” Be careful not to overlook<\/a> what matters\u2014like typos in that \u201cimportant\u201d proposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHelpful Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Wanna dig deeper into your English rabbit hole? You\u2019re in luck:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Become a business email wizard with these tips<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- If \u201cin, on, at\u201d still haunt your dreams, fix it here<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Sound cooler with these lesser-known idioms<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Browse the FixyGrammar blog<\/a> like you\u2019re on a mission<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Still saying \u201ctheir\u201d when you mean \u201cthey\u2019re\u201d? Un-sabotage yourself<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- See the full phrasal circus here<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
So, what have we learned, dear aspiring office linguist? Business English phrasal verbs are basically cheat codes for sounding fluent, smart, and vaguely intimidating. Whether you’re trying to impress your boss, survive a Zoom call, or just get someone to respond to your calendar invite, these verbs have your back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next time you want to put forward an idea or look over a document, do it with some flair\u2014and maybe less fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your turn!<\/strong> Which phrasal verb will you awkwardly test out this week? Drop it in the comments or casually slip it into your next awkward coffee chat.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAnd don\u2019t forget to follow up<\/a> with some actual practice. Your future fluent self will thank you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Meaning: Review something quickly, like your sanity before a Monday meeting. Example: “Let’s run through the agenda before the client arrives.” It works well with simple present tense structures<\/a>, especially when you want to sound prepared even though you just read the email.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meaning: Suggest something, hopefully smarter than what Steve just said. Example: “She put forward a new strategy for the next quarter.” Pro tip: This is not the same as ‘put up with’, which is what we do with Steve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meaning: Casually toss a topic into the corporate void. Example: “I want to bring up the budget concerns during the meeting.” Best used when you want to sound like a responsible adult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meaning: Create something formal, like a contract or a to-do list you\u2019ll ignore. Example: “They drew up a new contract for the supplier.” This one makes you sound like a lawyer, or at least someone with a working printer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meaning: Actually do the thing you said you would. Imagine that. Example: “The team successfully carried out the new marketing strategy.” Sounds way more competent than just \u201cdid it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meaning: Check in like a polite stalker. Example: “Please follow up with the client next week.” Bonus: You can\u2019t be passive-aggressive without a good email comma<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meaning: Politely surrender so everyone can move on with their lives. Example: “After some pushback, they backed down on the price.” It\u2019s like waving the white flag but in business casual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meaning: Discuss thoroughly, not just blurt opinions in Slack. Example: “Let\u2019s talk it over before making a decision.” Note: Also means interrupt someone, but hey, nuance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meaning: Explain it like everyone\u2019s five. Example: “Can you break down the budget forecast for us?” And if you need help with sentence basics, simple subjects<\/a> are your friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meaning: Contact someone in a non-creepy, businessy way. Example: “I\u2019ll reach out to the client with the proposal.” Translation: I\u2019ll send an email and then panic if they don\u2019t reply in five minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n Meaning: Organize a meeting, a call, or your life. Example: “I\u2019ll set up a call with the sales team.” This phrase is basically productivity cosplay. Also seen in simple sentences<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meaning: Approve something like a boss (or by your boss). Example: “The CEO signed off on the new campaign.” Use when pretending things don\u2019t get lost in 47 Slack threads.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Meaning: Give it the ol\u2019 review-and-pretend-you-read-it treatment. Example: “Can you look over the final draft before submission?” Be careful not to overlook<\/a> what matters\u2014like typos in that \u201cimportant\u201d proposal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Wanna dig deeper into your English rabbit hole? You\u2019re in luck:<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, what have we learned, dear aspiring office linguist? Business English phrasal verbs are basically cheat codes for sounding fluent, smart, and vaguely intimidating. Whether you’re trying to impress your boss, survive a Zoom call, or just get someone to respond to your calendar invite, these verbs have your back.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Next time you want to put forward an idea or look over a document, do it with some flair\u2014and maybe less fear.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your turn!<\/strong> Which phrasal verb will you awkwardly test out this week? Drop it in the comments or casually slip it into your next awkward coffee chat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And don\u2019t forget to follow up<\/a> with some actual practice. Your future fluent self will thank you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Put forward<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Bring up<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Phrasal Verbs for Project Management<\/h2>\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nDraw up<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Carry out<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Follow up<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Phrasal Verbs for Negotiations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Back down<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Talk over<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Break down<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Phrasal Verbs for Customer Relations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Reach out<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nSet up<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Phrasal Verbs for Reporting and Approval<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Sign off on<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Look over<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Helpful Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
Conclusion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n