Business English: 30 Advanced Business Phrasal Verbs

1. Bring forward

Meaning: To move a meeting, deadline, or event to an earlier time.
Example: The manager brought forward the project deadline to next Monday.

2. Call off

Meaning: To cancel something.
Example: They called off the meeting due to scheduling conflicts.

3. Carry over

Meaning: To transfer something (like work, budget, or time) to another period.
Example: Unused vacation days can be carried over to the next year.

4. Come up with

Meaning: To create or propose an idea or solution.
Example: We need to come up with a strategy to increase sales.

5. Cut back on

Meaning: To reduce expenses, resources, or efforts.
Example: The company is cutting back on travel expenses this quarter.

6. Draw on

Meaning: To use resources, experience, or knowledge.
Example: She drew on her previous experience to solve the problem.

7. Figure out

Meaning: To understand or solve something.
Example: We need to figure out why the client is unhappy.

8. Go over

Meaning: To review or examine details carefully.
Example: Let’s go over the budget report before the meeting.

9. Hand over

Meaning: To give control, responsibility, or documents to someone.
Example: He handed over the project to his successor.

10. Iron out

Meaning: To resolve problems or difficulties.
Example: We need to iron out the contract details before signing.

11. Look after

Meaning: To take care of something or someone.
Example: She looks after client accounts in the absence of the manager.

12. Look ahead

Meaning: To plan or think about the future.
Example: It’s important to look ahead and anticipate market trends.

13. Make up for

Meaning: To compensate for a loss, mistake, or deficiency.
Example: The extra training will make up for the team’s skill gaps.

14. Pass on

Meaning: To give information or responsibility to someone else.
Example: Please pass on the client’s feedback to the team.

15. Pull off

Meaning: To succeed in doing something difficult.
Example: The team pulled off a major deal despite tight deadlines.

16. Put forward

Meaning: To suggest or propose an idea or plan.
Example: She put forward a proposal to increase customer engagement.

17. Run by

Meaning: To explain or discuss something with someone for approval.
Example: I’ll run the idea by my manager before we proceed.

18. Set out

Meaning: To present goals, plans, or instructions clearly.
Example: The CEO set out the company’s priorities for the next year.

19. Sort out

Meaning: To organize, resolve, or fix something.
Example: We need to sort out the billing issues before the audit.

20. Take over from

Meaning: To assume control from someone else.
Example: She will take over from the previous project manager next month.

21. Turn down

Meaning: To reject an offer, request, or proposal.
Example: The company turned down the investor’s offer.

22. Wrap up

Meaning: To finish or conclude a task, project, or meeting.
Example: Let’s wrap up the meeting and send a summary to everyone.

23. Zero in on

Meaning: To focus closely on a particular issue or goal.
Example: We need to zero in on the main causes of the delay.

24. Take on

Meaning: To accept new responsibilities, tasks, or employees.
Example:

• The company is taking on more staff to handle the increased workload.

• I can’t take on any more projects right now.

25. Carry out

Meaning: To perform or complete a task or plan.
Example:

• We need to carry out a market analysis before launching the product.

• The team carried out the project ahead of schedule.

26. Bring up

Meaning: To mention or introduce a topic in a discussion.
Example:

• During the meeting, she brought up the issue of employee turnover.

• I don’t want to bring up the budget cuts yet.

27. Draw up

Meaning: To prepare a formal document, plan, or contract.
Example:

• The lawyers will draw up the contract by next week.

• We need to draw up a business proposal for the client.

28. Look into

Meaning: To investigate or examine a problem or situation.
Example:

• We’re looking into the complaint filed by the customer.

• HR will look into the issue and get back to you.

29. Follow up

Meaning: To take further action or check on the progress of something.
Example:

• I’ll follow up with the client after the presentation.

• Please follow up on the emails I sent last week.

30. Phase out

Meaning: To gradually stop using or offering something.
Example:

• The company plans to phase out outdated software by next year.

• They are phasing out single-use plastics in the office.