Phrasal verbs are an essential component of everyday English communication, widely used by native speakers and learners alike. Mastering phrasal verbs enhances fluency, helping you express complex ideas naturally and effectively. Whether in business, casual conversations, or professional settings, using phrasal verbs correctly can significantly improve your language skills. Understanding and incorporating common phrasal verbs into your vocabulary not only boosts comprehension but also makes your speech and writing more dynamic and engaging. For anyone striving to excel in English communication, be it for career advancement, academic success, or social interactions – phrasal verbs are indispensable tools. This guide to the most important phrasal verbs will empower you to communicate confidently and clearly every day.
1. Ask out – invite someone on a date
Business usage: “I would like to ask out our prospective client for a formal dinner to strengthen our business relationship.”
2. Back down – relinquish a position or yield
Business usage: “After a lengthy debate, the project manager decided to back down on the proposed deadline.”
3. Back up – provide support or create a copy
Business usage: “Please back up your report with concrete data before the board meeting.”
4. Blow up – explode or escalate rapidly
Business usage: “The issue with the client blew up when we failed to meet the agreed delivery date.”
5. Break down – cease functioning or analyze in detail
Business usage: “Let’s break down the quarterly results to better understand our performance in each market.”
6. Break in – enter forcibly or interrupt
Business usage: “I don’t mean to break in, but may I add a comment to the discussion?”
7. Break into – enter forcibly or penetrate a market
Business usage: “Our company is attempting to break into the Asian market this year.”
8. Break up – end a relationship or disperse
Business usage: “Let’s break up into smaller teams for the brainstorming session.”
9. Bring about – cause something to happen
Business usage: “The new CEO’s leadership style brought about significant changes in company culture.”
10. Bring up – mention, introduce a topic, or raise a child
Business usage: “During the meeting, she brought up the issue of rising operational costs.”
11. Brush up – improve by study or practice
Business usage: “Before the negotiation, I need to brush up on my knowledge of international trade laws.”
12. Bump into – meet by chance
Business usage: “I bumped into our regional manager at the industry conference.”
13. Burn out – become exhausted through overwork
Business usage: “Several employees have burned out due to the relentless pace of work lately.”
14. Call back – return a phone call
Business usage: “Please call back the client as soon as you have the updated information.”
15. Call off – cancel an event or arrangement
Business usage: “Due to unforeseen circumstances, we have to call off the product launch.”
16. Call on – visit formally or request participation
Business usage: “The director called on the CFO to present the annual budget.”
17. Calm down – become less agitated
Business usage: “Let’s all calm down and address the concerns logically.”
18. Carry on – continue an action or process
Business usage: “Despite the technical difficulties, the team carried on with the presentation.”
19. Carry out – perform or complete a task
Business usage: “The team successfully carried out the market research survey.”
20. Catch up – reach the same level or standard
Business usage: “After returning from her business trip, she had to catch up on several urgent emails.”
21. Check in — register upon arrival
Business example: “Please check in at the reception desk before proceeding to the conference room.”
22. Check out — examine or leave after paying
Business example: “I will check out the competitor’s new product features this afternoon.”
23. Clean up — tidy and organise
Business example: “The marketing team needs to clean up the data before the quarterly review.”
24. Come across — find by chance
Business example: “I came across an interesting market report while researching customer trends.”
25. Come back — return to a place or subject
Business example: “Let’s come back to the topic of digital transformation after the break.”
26. Come down with — become ill with
Business example: “Our HR manager came down with the flu and won’t attend today’s meeting.”
27. Come in — enter
Business example: “Please come in and take a seat; the meeting will start shortly.”
28. Come out — be released or published
Business example: “Her article on workplace diversity will come out in next month’s issue.”
29. Come up — arise or occur
Business example: “Several critical issues came up during the board discussion.”
30. Come up with — think of or create
Business example: “We need to come up with an innovative solution for supply chain delays.”
31. Count on — rely or depend
Business example: “You can count on our legal team to handle the contract negotiations.”
32. Cut back — reduce
Business example: “Due to budget constraints, we have to cut back on travel expenses.”
33. Cut off — disconnect or stop supply
Business example: “The supplier cut off materials without prior notice.”
34. Deal with — manage or handle
Business example: “He deals with all client complaints personally to ensure satisfaction.”
35. Do over — redo or repeat
Business example: “The presentation was unclear; please do it over for tomorrow’s meeting.”
36. Do without — manage in the absence of
Business example: “We’ll have to do without the additional staff this quarter.”
37. Dress up — wear formal clothes
Business example: “Dress up for the annual awards ceremony this evening.”
38. Drop by — visit briefly
Business example: “Our regional director will drop by the office to meet the new recruits.”
39. Drop off — deliver or decrease
Business example: “Sales tend to drop off after the holiday season.”
40. End up — finally reach a situation
Business example: “If we ignore the problem, we may end up losing key clients.”
41. Fall apart — break into pieces
Business example: “The merger plan fell apart after the partners disagreed on terms.”
42. Fall behind — fail to keep up
Business example: “We are falling behind schedule on the new product launch.”
43. Fall for — be deceived by or fall in love with
Business example: “Don’t fall for phishing emails—always verify the sender’s address.”
44. Figure out — understand or solve
Business example: “I will figure out a way to increase our profit margins.”
45. Fill in — complete information or substitute
Business example: “Please fill in for Sarah while she is on maternity leave.”
46. Fill out — complete a form fully
Business example: “All candidates must fill out the online application form.”
47. Fill up — make full
Business example: “Can someone fill up the printer with paper before the meeting?”
48. Find out — discover information
Business example: “We must find out why customers are leaving negative reviews.”
49. Get along — have a good relationship
Business example: “It’s important for team members to get along for project success.”
50. Get away — escape or take a break
Business example: “I’m planning to get away for a few days after we close the deal.”
51. Get back — return
Business example: “Please get back to me with your feedback by Friday.”
52. Get by — manage or survive
Business example: “The startup managed to get by with limited funding.”
53. Get in — arrive or be admitted
Business example: “Once you get in, please sign the attendance sheet.”
54. Get off — leave a vehicle or stop working
Business example: “What time do you get off work today?”
55. Get on — board a vehicle or make progress
Business example: “Let’s get on with the quarterly strategy review.”
56. Get out — leave a place
Business example: “You need to get out of the office by 6 p.m. due to maintenance.”
57. Get over — recover from
Business example: “It took time to get over the disappointment of the lost contract.”
58. Get rid of — eliminate or dispose
Business example: “We should get rid of outdated files to comply with GDPR.”
59. Get together — meet with others
Business example: “Let’s get together next week to finalize the project.”
60. Give away — donate freely or reveal
Business example: “Be careful not to give away proprietary information in your interview.”
61. Give back — return something
Business example: “Please give back the loaned equipment after use.”
62. Give in — yield or surrender
Business example: “After several rounds of negotiation, they finally gave in to our terms.”
63. Give up — stop trying
Business example: “Don’t give up—we can still win the contract with a new proposal.”
64. Go ahead — proceed
Business example: “You may go ahead with the launch once you get approval.”
65. Go away — leave a place
Business example: “The technical issues will not just go away without intervention.”
66. Go back — return to a place or subject
Business example: “Let’s go back to the beginning and review our objectives.”
67. Go on — continue
Business example: “The manager asked us to go on with the training despite connectivity issues.”
68. Go out — leave home/socialize or cease burning
Business example: “Remember to go out and network at the conference session.”
69. Go over — review in detail
Business example: “Let’s go over the financial statements before submission.”
70. Grow up — mature or become adult
Business example: “The company grew up in a highly competitive market.”
71. Hand in — submit a document or assignment
Business example: “Be sure to hand in your expense reports by Friday.”
72. Hand out — distribute to people
Business example: “She will hand out the training manuals during the workshop.”
73. Hang out — spend time relaxing
Business example: “They like to hang out after work to discuss new ideas informally.”
74. Hang up — end a phone call
Business example: “He hung up before I could explain the contract clause.”
75. Hold on — wait or grasp tightly
Business example: “Hold on for a moment while I connect you to the director.”
76. Hold up — delay or rob
Business example: “The project was held up by regulatory approval issues.”
77. Hurry up — move or act more quickly
Business example: “We need to hurry up if we want to meet the grant application deadline.”
78. Keep on — continue doing
Business example: “Keep on liaising with the partner until the paperwork is signed.”
79. Keep up — maintain pace or standard
Business example: “Try to keep up with the latest developments in the industry.”
80. Kick out — force someone to leave
Business example: “The board decided to kick out the underperforming vendor.”
81. Knock out — eliminate or render unconscious
Business example: “The latest bid knocked out several competitors.”
82. Let down — disappoint
Business example: “We cannot afford to let down our investors at this crucial stage.”
83. Let in — admit entry
Business example: “Please let in the candidate once they arrive.”
84. Look after — care for or supervise
Business example: “Who will look after the new interns this semester?”
85. Look at — examine closely
Business example: “Let’s look at alternative suppliers for cost reduction.”
86. Look for — search or seek
Business example: “I’m looking for a reliable logistics partner.”
87. Look forward to — anticipate positively
Business example: “I look forward to your presentation at the annual meeting.”
88. Look into — investigate
Business example: “The compliance team will look into the recent data breach.”
89. Look out — be vigilant or careful
Business example: “Look out for errors before finalizing the report.”
90. Look up — search for information
Business example: “I will look up the market statistics for our next pitch.”
91. Make up — invent or reconcile
Business example: “The analyst made up a new metric to measure team productivity.”
92. Mix up — confuse or disorder
Business example: “Please don’t mix up the client orders in the database.”
93. Move on — leave behind and proceed
Business example: “Let’s move on to the next agenda item.”
94. Pass away — die
Business example: “Our company founder passed away last year.”
95. Pass out — faint or distribute
Business example: “They will pass out brochures at the trade fair.”
96. Pick out — select or choose
Business example: “Please pick out the top three candidates for interview.”
97. Pick up — collect, acquire, or improve
Business example: “Sales will pick up as we approach the holiday season.”
98. Point out — indicate or mention
Business example: “She pointed out the discrepancies in the audit.”
99. Put away — store or tidy
Business example: “Please put away the confidential documents after review.”
100. Put off — postpone or delay
Business example: “Let’s put off the meeting until we have more information.”
101. Put on – wear
Business example: “Please put on your ID badge before entering the secure area.”
102. Put out – extinguish
Business example: “The facility team quickly put out the fire in the server room.”
103. Put up with – tolerate
Business example: “We cannot put up with repeated delays from the supplier.”
104. Run across – find unexpectedly
Business example: “I ran across some useful vendor contacts during the conference.”
105. Run away – escape (less common in business, more metaphorical)
Business example: “You can’t just run away from your responsibilities in the project.”
106. Run into – meet by chance
Business example: “I ran into a former client at the industry seminar.”
107. Run out of – have none left
Business example: “We’ve run out of promotional materials for the event.”
108. Set off – start a journey or cause to begin
Business example: “The sales team set off for their roadshow early this morning.”
109. Set up – arrange or establish
Business example: “They set up a new subsidiary in Germany last quarter.”
110. Show off – boast or display proudly
Business example: “Our team showed off their prototype at the product launch.”
111. Show up – arrive
Business example: “Only half the attendees showed up for the meeting.”
112. Shut down – turn off or close operations
Business example: “The factory shut down due to safety concerns.”
113. Shut up – stop talking (informal, use cautiously in business)
Business example: (Not typically used in formal business settings.)
114. Sit down – take a seat or have a meeting
Business example: “Let’s sit down and discuss the contract terms.”
115. Stand by – support or be ready
Business example: “The IT department stood by to resolve any issues during the rollout.”
116. Stand for – represent or mean
Business example: “ROI stands for Return on Investment.”
117. Stand out – be noticeable
Business example: “Our innovative product design makes us stand out in the market.”
118. Stand up – rise from sitting or defend oneself
Business example: “She had to stand up to criticism in the meeting.”
119. Stick to – follow strictly
Business example: “We must stick to the project timeline to meet deadlines.”
120. Take after – resemble in appearance or behavior
Business example: “He takes after his mentor in his negotiation style.”
121. Take away – remove or learn from
Business example: “What key points did you take away from the client feedback?”
122. Take back – return or retract
Business example: “We had to take back the faulty products.”
123. Take down – remove or write
Business example: “Please take down the meeting minutes accurately.”
124. Take in – absorb or understand
Business example: “It took a while to take in all the new company policies.”
125. Take off – remove or rise in air
Business example: “Our sales took off after the new advertising campaign.”
126. Take on – accept a task or responsibility
Business example: “She decided to take on the lead role in the project.”
127. Take out – remove or invite someone
Business example: “We took out a competitor by offering better terms.”
128. Take over – gain control
Business example: “Our company plans to take over the smaller competitor.”
129. Take up – start a hobby or occupy space/time
Business example: “He took up project management to broaden his skills.”
130. Talk back – reply rudely
Business example: “Employees should not talk back to their supervisors.”
131. Talk over – discuss
Business example: “Let’s talk over the proposal before finalizing it.”
132. Tear down – demolish
Business example: “They tore down the old office building to construct a new one.”
133. Tear up – rip into pieces
Business example: “The failed contract was torn up.”
134. Think over – consider carefully
Business example: “Please think over the merger offer.”
135. Throw away – discard
Business example: “Don’t throw away old files without backing them up.”
136. Throw up – vomit (rare in business)
Business example: (Not applicable in formal business context.)
137. Try on – test clothes (less common in business, more retail)
Business example: “The buyer tried on the uniform samples.”
138. Turn around – change direction or improve
Business example: “The CEO managed to turn around the struggling division.”
139. Turn down – reject or lower volume/amount
Business example: “They turned down our offer.”
140. Turn in – submit or go to bed
Business example: “Please turn in your reports by Friday.”
141. Turn off – stop (a device), or cause dislike
Business example: “Turn off the projector after the presentation.”
142. Turn on – start (a device), or arouse
Business example: “Turn on the conference call at 9 am.”
143. Turn out – result or attend
Business example: “The event turned out to be a great success.”
144. Turn up – appear or increase volume
Business example: “He turned up late for the client meeting.”
145. Use up – consume all
Business example: “We used up the entire budget for marketing.”
146. Wake up – stop sleeping or become alert
Business example: “Wake up to the changing market trends.”
147. Watch out – be careful
Business example: “Watch out for fraudulent emails.”
148. Wear out – exhaust or become unusable
Business example: “The IT equipment wore out after years of use.”
149. Work out – exercise or solve/plan
Business example: “We worked out a new strategy to increase sales.”
150. Write down – record in writing
Business example: “Write down the key points from the meeting.”
151. Zoom in – magnify or focus closely
Business example: “Zoom in on the data trends in the presentation.”
152. Zoom out – reduce focus
Business example: “Let’s zoom out and look at the big picture.”
153. Break off – end suddenly
Business example: “The negotiations broke off unexpectedly.”
154. Check on – look at status
Business example: “Please check on the progress of the project.”
155. Come over – visit
Business example: “The CEO came over for a surprise inspection.”
156. Count up – add together
Business example: “Count up the total expenses for the quarter.”
157. Cut out – remove
Business example: “Cut out unnecessary steps from the workflow.”
158. Drop out – quit school or leave prematurely
Business example: “He dropped out of the leadership program.”
159. Fall down – collapse
Business example: “The warehouse shelving fell down during the storm.”
160. Fix up – repair or arrange
Business example: “We need to fix up the conference room before visitors arrive.”
161. Give out – distribute
Business example: “They gave out flyers at the trade show.”
162. Go by – pass time
Business example: “Months went by without any significant progress.”
163. Head out – leave
Business example: “We headed out early for the client meeting.”
164. Hold back – restrain or delay
Business example: “The company held back the product launch due to quality issues.”
165. Join in – participate
Business example: “Feel free to join in the brainstorming session.”
166. Keep out – stay away
Business example: “Unauthorized personnel must keep out of this area.”
167. Let out – release or reveal
Business example: “They let out details about the new product ahead of schedule.”
168. Move in – start living somewhere
Business example: “The new team moved in to the renovated office.”
169. Move out – leave a home or office
Business example: “We need to move out of the current building next month.”
170. Pass by – go past
Business example: “The deadline passed by faster than expected.”
171. Pick on – bully or criticize unfairly
Business example: “Stop picking on the junior staff.”
172. Point at – direct attention
Business example: “She pointed at the chart to highlight the trend.”
173. Put down – insult or place something down
Business example: “Avoid putting down your colleagues publicly.”
174. Run over – hit with a vehicle or review quickly
Business example: “We ran over the agenda before the meeting.”
175. Send back – return something
Business example: “The client sent back the defective shipment.”
176. Set aside – reserve or save
Business example: “Set aside a budget for unexpected expenses.”
177. Slow down – reduce speed or pace
Business example: “Please slow down the production line for quality checks.”
178. Speak up – talk louder or express an opinion
Business example: “Speak up if you have any concerns.”
179. Speed up – go faster
Business example: “We need to speed up delivery to meet customer demand.”
180. Stick out – be noticeable
Business example: “Your proposal really sticks out among the competitors.”
181. Take apart – disassemble
Business example: “The engineers took apart the device for analysis.”
182. Talk into – persuade
Business example: “She talked him into accepting the terms.”
183. Talk out of – discourage someone from
Business example: “We talked the client out of terminating the contract.”
184. Think ahead – plan for the future
Business example: “Successful companies always think ahead.”
185. Turn around – improve or reverse
Business example: “The new strategy helped turn around sales.”
186. Wait for – expect or await
Business example: “We are waiting for the client’s approval.”
187. Warm up – prepare or heat
Business example: “Let’s warm up the meeting with some introductions.”
188. Wear off – fade away
Business example: “The initial excitement about the project wore off.”
189. Wipe off – clean surface
Business example: “Please wipe off the whiteboard after use.”
190. Work on – focus on
Business example: “We are working on improving customer service.”
191. Write up – prepare a report or document
Business example: “She wrote up the meeting minutes.”
192. Break out – escape or start suddenly
Business example: “A dispute broke out during negotiations.”
193. Catch on – become popular or understand
Business example: “The new app quickly caught on among users.”
194. Check over – review carefully
Business example: “Please check over the contract before signing.”
195. Come through – survive or succeed
Business example: “The company came through the crisis stronger.”
196. Drop back – fall behind
Business example: “Several suppliers dropped back in delivery times.”
197. Fall out – argue or separate
Business example: “Partners fell out over financial disagreements.”
198. Get ahead – succeed or progress
Business example: “Innovation is key to getting ahead in this industry.”
199. Hold on to – keep or retain
Business example: “Hold on to your client contacts carefully.”
200. Keep at – continue trying
Business example: “Keep at developing the new software features.”
201. Act up – behave badly or malfunction
Business example: “The new software has been acting up since the update.”
202. Answer back – reply rudely
Business example: “In a professional environment, never answer back to your manager.”
203. Ask around – inquire with multiple people
Business example: “I’ll ask around to find the best supplier for the parts.”
204. Back out – withdraw from an agreement
Business example: “The investor backed out at the last minute.”
205. Be over – be finished
Business example: “The audit will be over by the end of next week.”
206. Blow out – extinguish a flame
Business example: “Make sure to blow out all candles after the office party.”
207. Break through – succeed despite obstacles
Business example: “Our R&D team broke through the technical barriers.”
208. Bring in – introduce or hire
Business example: “We plan to bring in an expert consultant for the project.”
209. Brush off – ignore or dismiss
Business example: “He brushed off the complaints, which upset the customers.”
210. Bump off – kill (slang, rarely used in business)
Business example: (Not applicable in professional business contexts.)
211. Call in – summon someone
Business example: “The manager called in all staff for an urgent briefing.”
212. Carry away – become overly enthusiastic or overwhelmed
Business example: “Don’t carry away with the initial success; keep focusing on the fundamentals.”
213. Catch up on – complete delayed work
Business example: “I need to catch up on emails after being on leave.”
214. Cheer up – become happier
Business example: “Cheer up, the deal is still possible despite setbacks.”
215. Chip in – contribute money or effort
Business example: “Everyone chipped in to buy a gift for the retiring manager.”
216. Clamp down – enforce rules strictly
Business example: “The company clamped down on unauthorized use of confidential data.”
217. Come around – change opinion or visit
Business example: “After discussions, the client finally came around to our proposal.”
218. Come forward – offer help or information
Business example: “Several employees came forward with suggestions to improve productivity.”
219. Crack down – take severe measures
Business example: “The firm is cracking down on fraud within its accounts department.”
220. Cross out – remove by drawing a line
Business example: “Please cross out any errors before submitting the form.”
221. Cut in – interrupt or join closely
Business example: “I didn’t mean to cut in during your meeting.”
222. Do up – fasten or renovate
Business example: “They did up the office to create a more modern workspace.”
223. Drag on – continue too long
Business example: “The negotiations dragged on for several hours.”
224. Draw up – prepare documents or plans
Business example: “Our legal team is drawing up the contract.”
225. Drop off to sleep – fall asleep
Business example: “He dropped off to sleep during the lengthy presentation.”
226. Ease off – reduce intensity
Business example: “Sales pressure eased off after the promotional period ended.”
227. Fall for – believe a lie or get deceived
Business example: “Don’t fall for scams pretending to be from our company.”
228. Feel up to – feel capable of doing something
Business example: “I don’t feel up to attending the conference today.”
229. Figure on – expect or plan
Business example: “We figure on increasing profits by 15% next year.”
230. Fill in for – substitute temporarily
Business example: “Can you fill in for the manager during her absence?”
231. Follow through – complete what was promised
Business example: “It’s important to follow through with client commitments.”
232. Freak out – panic or become very upset
Business example: “Try not to freak out over minor project delays.”
233. Gear up – prepare for action
Business example: “The marketing team is gearing up for the product launch.”
234. Give off – emit (smell, light, etc.)
Business example: “The new printer gives off a strong odor at first use.”
235. Go overboard – do too much
Business example: “Don’t go overboard with spending on office decorations.”
236. Hand over – transfer control or responsibility
Business example: “The outgoing CEO will hand over management next month.”
237. Hit back – retaliate or respond strongly
Business example: “The company hit back at the negative press.”
238. Hold down – keep a job or position
Business example: “She’s held down her position as CFO for five years.”
239. Jack up – raise prices or amounts sharply
Business example: “They jacked up the price after the contract was signed.”
240. Key in – enter data
Business example: “Please key in the sales figures by noon.”
241. Kick off – start an event or project
Business example: “We will kick off the campaign next week.”
242. Knuckle down – start working hard
Business example: “It’s time to knuckle down and finish the report.”
243. Lay off – stop employing, dismiss
Business example: “The company had to lay off several employees during restructuring.”
244. Leak out – become known unofficially
Business example: “Details about the merger leaked out before the official announcement.”
245. Leave out – exclude
Business example: “Don’t leave out any critical data in your report.”
246. Light up – illuminate or become happy
Business example: “Her face lit up upon hearing the good news.”
247. Line up – arrange or schedule
Business example: “We lined up several interviews for next week.”
248. Live on – survive financially
Business example: “Many freelancers live on irregular income.”
249. Look down on – despise or feel superior to
Business example: “He tends to look down on those with less experience.”
250. Look out for – be vigilant about
Business example: “Look out for changes in market regulations.”
251. Make do – manage with limited resources
Business example: “We had to make do with a smaller budget this quarter.”
252. Make out – understand or discern
Business example: “I couldn’t make out the meaning of the technical terms.”
253. Measure up – meet standards or expectations
Business example: “Our products must measure up to international quality standards.”
254. Mess up – spoil or do badly
Business example: “Don’t mess up the client’s order.”
255. Miss out – lose an opportunity
Business example: “Don’t miss out on the early bird discount.”
256. Move ahead – make progress
Business example: “The project is moving ahead on schedule.”
257. Opt out – choose not to participate
Business example: “Several employees opted out of the wellness program.”
258. Pass on – transmit or give
Business example: “Please pass on the memo to all departments.”
259. Pay back – return money owed
Business example: “The company paid back its loan earlier than expected.”
260. Pick at – eat little or repeatedly
Business example: “She tends to pick at her lunch during busy days.”
261. Play along – cooperate or pretend
Business example: “We had to play along with the client’s unusual requests.”
262. Pull out – withdraw or stop involvement
Business example: “The investor pulled out due to market uncertainty.”
263. Push on – continue with effort
Business example: “Despite challenges, we must push on to meet our goals.”
264. Put across – explain or communicate clearly
Business example: “He put across his ideas very convincingly.”
265. Reach out – try to connect or communicate
Business example: “We should reach out to potential partners.”
266. Ride out – survive a difficult period
Business example: “The business managed to ride out the economic downturn.”
267. Rip off – cheat or overcharge
Business example: “Be careful not to get ripped off by vendors.”
268. Rule out – eliminate as a possibility
Business example: “We ruled out the cheaper supplier due to quality issues.”
269. Run down – criticize or lose power
Business example: “Avoid running down other companies during presentations.”
270. Scale back – reduce in size or scope
Business example: “We had to scale back our expansion plans.”
271. See through – detect deceit or continue to end
Business example: “I could see through their misleading claims.”
272. Settle down – become calm or established
Business example: “The startup finally settled down after its initial chaos.”
273. Shake off – get rid of something unwanted
Business example: “We need to shake off the negative reputation.”
274. Show around – give a tour
Business example: “The manager showed new clients around the facility.”
275. Single out – choose one from a group
Business example: “She was singled out for her outstanding performance.”
276. Size up – evaluate or assess
Business example: “Let’s size up our competitors before launching.”
277. Sleep in – stay in bed later than usual
Business example: “I planned to sleep in after finishing the project.”
278. Sort out – organise or resolve
Business example: “We need to sort out the supply chain issues.”
279. Sound out – check opinions or mood
Business example: “We sounded out the team about the proposed changes.”
280. Step down – resign from a position
Business example: “The CEO stepped down after 10 years.”
281. Stick around – stay nearby
Business example: “Please stick around after the meeting to discuss.”
282. Stick with – continue to support or use
Business example: “We decided to stick with our current software provider.”
283. Sum up – summarize or conclude
Business example: “To sum up, the project was a success.”
284. Switch off – stop paying attention or turn off
Business example: “Don’t switch off during important presentations.”
285. Talk down to – speak condescendingly
Business example: “Avoid talking down to clients.”
286. Talk over – discuss thoroughly
Business example: “We talked over the contract details for hours.”
287. Think through – consider all aspects carefully
Business example: “Think through all risks before proceeding.”
288. Throw in – add extras or contributions
Business example: “The vendor threw in free training as part of the deal.”
289. Track down – locate or find
Business example: “We tracked down the source of the software bug.”
290. Turn against – become hostile or unsupportive
Business example: “Employees turned against the new management style.”
291. Vouch for – support or confirm reliability
Business example: “I can vouch for her professionalism.”
292. Wait up – stay awake for someone
Business example: “I’ll wait up for the client to arrive.”
293. Walk out – leave angrily
Business example: “The attendees walked out of the negotiation.”
294. Wash away – remove completely
Business example: “The accounting error washed away our profits.”
295. Wind down – relax or conclude activities
Business example: “Let’s wind down after a busy quarter.”
296. Write off – dismiss as a loss
Business example: “We had to write off the damaged goods.”
297. Zone out – lose focus or attention
Business example: “Try not to zone out during long meetings.”
298. Zero in on – focus closely on
Business example: “The team zeroed in on key market segments.”
299. Work up – develop or build up (e.g., excitement)
Business example: “She worked up enthusiasm before the presentation.”
300. Whip up – quickly create or stir up
Business example: “The marketing team whipped up excitement for the product launch.”
301. Work out – resolve or successfully complete
Business example: “We worked out the contract terms after several rounds of negotiation.”
302. Write off – consider a loss or dismiss as unimportant
Business example: “The company had to write off the obsolete inventory.”
303. Zero in on – focus attention precisely on
Business example: “The marketing team zeroed in on millennials as the target audience.”
304. Act on – take action based on information
Business example: “We must act on the customer feedback to improve service.”
305. Ask for – request
Business example: “Don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need clarification.”
306. Back away – retreat or withdraw
Business example: “The company backed away from the controversial advertising campaign.”
307. Bail out – provide financial help to avoid failure
Business example: “The government bailed out the struggling bank.”
308. Bank on – rely or depend on
Business example: “We are banking on increased sales next quarter.”
309. Break down – analyze in detail or stop functioning
Business example: “Let’s break down the budget by department.”
310. Bring back – reintroduce or recall
Business example: “The product line was brought back due to popular demand.”
311. Brush up on – improve skills or knowledge
Business example: “He is brushing up on his French before the business trip.”
312. Call up – phone or summon
Business example: “Please call up the client to confirm the meeting.”
313. Carry forward – transfer or continue
Business example: “Unused vacation days can be carried forward to the next year.”
314. Catch on – understand or become popular
Business example: “The new software quickly caught on among our team.”
315. Check out – investigate or examine
Business example: “We need to check out the supplier’s credentials.”
316. Come back to – return to a topic or place
Business example: “Let’s come back to this issue after we review the data.”
317. Cut across – affect or involve various groups
Business example: “This policy cuts across multiple departments.”
318. Do away with – eliminate or abolish
Business example: “The company decided to do away with paper invoices.”
319. Drag out – prolong unnecessarily
Business example: “Don’t drag out the discussion; we need to make a decision.”
320. Draw on – use resources or knowledge
Business example: “We drew on expert advice to finalize the strategy.”
321. Drop by – visit briefly
Business example: “I’ll drop by your office after lunch.”
322. Fall through – fail to happen
Business example: “The deal fell through due to contract disputes.”
323. Figure out – find a solution or understand
Business example: “We need to figure out how to cut costs without layoffs.”
324. Fill out – complete a form
Business example: “All employees must fill out the benefits enrollment form.”
325. Get across – communicate clearly
Business example: “He got across the key message in his presentation.”
326. Give up on – stop believing in or trying
Business example: “Don’t give up on the client even if the negotiations are tough.”
327. Go down – decrease or be recorded
Business example: “Sales went down last quarter due to market conditions.”
328. Hold up – cause delay or remain strong
Business example: “The shipment was held up at customs.”
329. Keep away from – avoid
Business example: “Please keep away from confidential documents.”
330. Kick back – relax or take a break
Business example: “After the deadline, the team kicked back to celebrate.”
331. Lay out – explain or arrange
Business example: “She laid out the project plan in detail.”
332. Let off – excuse from punishment or release
Business example: “The client was let off with a warning after the mistake.”
333. Live up to – meet expectations or standards
Business example: “The new product lived up to our high quality standards.”
334. Look back on – reflect on past events
Business example: “We look back on the fiscal year as a time of great growth.”
335. Make up for – compensate for
Business example: “We offered a discount to make up for the delayed delivery.”
336. Move up – advance to a higher position
Business example: “He moved up to senior manager last month.”
337. Narrow down – reduce choices
Business example: “We narrowed down the candidates to three finalists.”
338. Open up – become accessible or share thoughts
Business example: “The CEO opened up about the company’s future plans.”
339. Pass out – distribute or faint
Business example: “They passed out brochures at the trade show.”
340. Pay off – yield good results or pay debt
Business example: “The investment paid off with increased profits.”
341. Pick up on – notice or understand subtle points
Business example: “She picked up on the client’s concerns quickly.”
342. Point out – highlight or indicate
Business example: “He pointed out the issues in the report.”
343. Pull together – collaborate effectively
Business example: “The team pulled together to meet the tight deadline.”
344. Put off – delay or postpone
Business example: “We had to put off the meeting due to scheduling conflicts.”
345. Read over – review or check quickly
Business example: “Please read over the contract before signing.”
346. Ring up – make a phone call or record a sale
Business example: “She rang up the client to confirm the appointment.”
347. Run through – rehearse or review
Business example: “Let’s run through the presentation one more time.”
348. Set up – establish or arrange
Business example: “We set up a conference call with the international team.”
349. Show up – arrive or appear
Business example: “Everyone showed up on time for the briefing.”
350. Shut down – close or stop operation
Business example: “The factory shut down during the holidays.”
351. Sort out – organize or resolve
Business example: “We need to sort out the budget issues.”
352. Take back – retract or return
Business example: “He took back his statement during the meeting.”
353. Take off – become successful or remove
Business example: “The new client base really took off last quarter.”
354. Talk over – discuss thoroughly
Business example: “We talked over the contract details.”
355. Team up – collaborate with others
Business example: “Our company teamed up with a local firm for the project.”
356. Tell off – reprimand or scold
Business example: “The manager told off the team for missing deadlines.”
357. Throw out – discard or reject
Business example: “We threw out old, irrelevant data from the database.”
358. Turn down – refuse or decrease
Business example: “They turned down our partnership offer.”
359. Turn up – arrive or increase volume
Business example: “He turned up late for the client meeting.”
360. Wake up – become alert or aware
Business example: “We need to wake up to the challenges in the market.”
361. Watch out – be careful or alert
Business example: “Watch out for changes in compliance rules.”
362. Work on – focus effort on
Business example: “The team is working on improving the customer experience.”
363. Write up – prepare a formal report
Business example: “She wrote up the analysis for the shareholders.”
364. Zoom in – focus closely on details
Business example: “Zoom in on the target demographic for the campaign.”
365. Zip through – complete quickly
Business example: “We zipped through the agenda in the meeting.”
366. Zero out – reset to zero
Business example: “Finance zeroed out last year’s accounts before auditing.”
367. Act on – take action based on
Business example: “The management acted on employee feedback.”
368. Bail out – help financially
Business example: “The investors bailed out the startup during tough times.”
369. Blow up – suddenly become angry or explode
Business example: “The client blew up over the delayed shipment.”
370. Bring down – reduce or lower
Business example: “We need to bring down operational costs.”
371. Call off – cancel
Business example: “They called off the product launch due to issues.”
372. Clear up – clarify or resolve
Business example: “We cleared up misunderstandings with the client.”
373. Cut back – reduce expenses
Business example: “The company cut back on travel budgets.”
374. Drop off – decrease or deliver
Business example: “Sales dropped off after the promotional period.”
375. Figure out – solve or understand
Business example: “We figured out the source of the problem.”
376. Hold on – wait briefly
Business example: “Hold on while I check the report.”
377. Keep up – maintain pace
Business example: “We must keep up with market trends.”
378. Let down – disappoint
Business example: “Don’t let down your team.”
379. Look into – investigate
Business example: “The auditors are looking into discrepancies.”
380. Make up – compensate or reconcile
Business example: “We made up for the delay with an extra discount.”
381. Pass out – distribute
Business example: “They passed out brochures at the exhibit.”
382. Put together – assemble or compile
Business example: “We put together a report for the board.”
383. Run into – meet unexpectedly
Business example: “I ran into a supplier at the conference.”
384. Set out – begin a task or explain
Business example: “He set out the objectives clearly.”
385. Speak up – talk louder or express opinion
Business example: “Please speak up if you disagree.”
386. Take over – assume control
Business example: “Our firm took over the smaller competitor.”
387. Turn around – reverse a negative situation
Business example: “The manager turned around the failing project.”
388. Work out – find a solution
Business example: “We worked out the logistics plan.”
389. Write off – cancel a debt or loss
Business example: “The company wrote off bad debts.”
390. Zoom out – widen focus
Business example: “Zoom out to see overall progress.”
391. Bring up – mention or raise
Business example: “She brought up budget concerns.”
392. Call in – request presence or phone
Business example: “We called in the consultant for advice.”
393. Come across – find unexpectedly
Business example: “We came across a new supplier option.”
394. Cut off – stop supply or service
Business example: “The client was cut off due to non-payment.”
395. Drop by – visit quickly
Business example: “I’ll drop by your office later.”
396. Fall behind – fail to keep up
Business example: “We fell behind schedule.”
397. Give away – distribute freely or reveal
Business example: “They gave away free samples.”
398. Hold back – restrain or delay
Business example: “The delays held back product release.”
399. Keep on – continue
Business example: “Keep on improving your skills.”
400. Look forward to – anticipate positively
Business example: “We look forward to working with you.”
401. Make out – understand or discern
Business example: “It was difficult to make out the meaning of the technical jargon in the report.”
402. Look up to – respect or admire
Business example: “Young professionals often look up to industry leaders for inspiration.”
403. Pass back – return something to someone
Business example: “The manager passed back the completed reports for revision.”
404. Pay off – settle a debt or yield positive results
Business example: “The investment in employee training really paid off last quarter.”
405. Pick up – acquire or improve
Business example: “Our sales started to pick up after the marketing campaign.”
406. Pull ahead – move into a leading position
Business example: “Our company pulled ahead of competitors in innovation.”
407. Put by – save money
Business example: “We put by a portion of profits for future expansion.”
408. Run up – accumulate debts or bills
Business example: “The department ran up excessive costs last month.”
409. See off – say goodbye or dismiss
Business example: “We saw off the departing CEO with a farewell party.”
410. Sell out – sell all available stock
Business example: “The new product sold out within hours of release.”
411. Set in – begin and become established
Business example: “The downturn set in after months of poor sales.”
412. Stand by – be ready or support
Business example: “We stand by our products with a two-year warranty.”
413. Stand up to – resist or confront
Business example: “The team stood up to unfair criticism with strong data.”
414. Stick with – continue using or supporting
Business example: “We decided to stick with our current supplier despite offers.”
415. Take down – write or remove
Business example: “Please take down the key points during the meeting.”
416. Take off – become successful or leave the ground
Business example: “Our new app has really taken off in the market.”
417. Talk down – speak condescendingly
Business example: “Avoid talking down to clients; always show respect.”
418. Tear down – demolish or criticize harshly
Business example: “The old factory was torn down to build a new office.”
419. Think up – invent or create
Business example: “We need to think up new strategies for customer retention.”
420. Throw out – discard or reject
Business example: “The legal team threw out the irrelevant clauses.”
421. Turn up – appear or increase volume
Business example: “Several key stakeholders turned up late to the meeting.”
422. Use up – consume completely
Business example: “We used up the entire marketing budget this quarter.”
423. Wake up to – become aware of
Business example: “The company woke up to the dangers of cybersecurity threats.”
424. Watch over – supervise or protect
Business example: “The project manager watched over the team’s progress.”
425. Work into – gradually include or incorporate
Business example: “We worked the new policy into the existing procedures.”
426. Write off – cancel or disregard
Business example: “We wrote off the obsolete inventory as a loss.”
427. Zero in on – focus precisely
Business example: “The sales team zeroed in on key clients to increase revenue.”
428. Account for – explain or constitute
Business example: “Online sales account for 40% of our revenue.”
429. Back up – support or create a copy
Business example: “Always back up your data to prevent loss.”
430. Break out – start suddenly or escape
Business example: “A technical issue broke out during the launch event.”
431. Bring forward – present or reschedule earlier
Business example: “The meeting was brought forward to accommodate the client.”
432. Call on – request or visit
Business example: “The CEO called on the CFO for budget approval.”
433. Carry out – perform or complete
Business example: “The team carried out the market research efficiently.”
434. Check up on – verify or monitor
Business example: “Please check up on the supplier’s delivery timeline.”
435. Clear out – remove or empty
Business example: “We cleared out old files to free up office space.”
436. Come up with – think of or produce
Business example: “The marketing team came up with an innovative campaign.”
437. Cut back on – reduce expenditure or usage
Business example: “We need to cut back on unnecessary travel expenses.”
438. Drop off – deliver or decline
Business example: “The shipment was dropped off yesterday.”
439. Figure out – solve or understand
Business example: “We figured out the best approach to enter the new market.”
440. Follow up – pursue or check progress
Business example: “Please follow up with leads from the trade show.”
441. Get across – communicate effectively
Business example: “She got across the importance of the new policy clearly.”
442. Give in to – surrender or yield
Business example: “The company gave in to customer demands for better support.”
443. Go over – review or examine
Business example: “Let’s go over the quarterly report before submission.”
444. Hold on to – keep or retain
Business example: “We must hold on to our key clients during this period.”
445. Keep up with – stay informed or maintain pace
Business example: “It’s critical to keep up with industry trends.”
446. Lay out – explain or arrange systematically
Business example: “The plan was laid out clearly in the presentation.”
447. Look after – take care of
Business example: “Who will look after the project in her absence?”
448. Make up for – compensate or amend
Business example: “We offered additional services to make up for the delay.”
449. Move forward – progress or advance
Business example: “The project is moving forward despite initial setbacks.”
450. Open up – become willing to discuss or start a business
Business example: “The CEO opened up about future corporate strategies.”
451. Pass over – ignore or skip
Business example: “She was passed over for the promotion.”
452. Pay up – pay money owed
Business example: “The client finally paid up after repeated reminders.”
453. Put across – communicate or explain clearly
Business example: “He put across his ideas effectively during the pitch.”
454. Put down to – attribute a cause
Business example: “The delays were put down to supply chain disruptions.”
455. Reach out to – contact or approach
Business example: “I reached out to several potential investors.”
456. Set aside – reserve or save
Business example: “Funds were set aside for unexpected expenses.”
457. Show off – display proudly (use sparingly formally)
Business example: “The team showed off their new product during the expo.”
458. Speak out – express opinion publicly
Business example: “Employees spoke out against the unfair policies.”
459. Stand by – support or be ready
Business example: “The IT team stood by during the system upgrade.”
460. Stick to – adhere to or follow
Business example: “We must stick to the project schedule.”
461. Take apart – dismantle or analyse
Business example: “Engineers took apart the prototype for testing.”
462. Talk up – promote enthusiastically
Business example: “The salesperson talked up the product’s features.”
463. Throw in – add extra
Business example: “The vendor threw in free training sessions.”
464. Track down – find or locate
Business example: “We tracked down the source of the defect.”
465. Turn over – hand control or generate revenue
Business example: “The division turns over millions annually.”
466. Use up – consume entirely
Business example: “We used up the entire budget several weeks early.”
467. Watch out for – be alert to potential problems
Business example: “Watch out for fraudulent emails.”
468. Work out – plan or resolve
Business example: “We worked out the details of the contract.”
469. Write off – accept a loss or dismiss
Business example: “We had to write off uncollectable receivables.”
470. Zip through – complete quickly
Business example: “We zipped through the meeting agenda.”
471. Act up – malfunction or behave badly
Business example: “The printer acted up during the key presentation.”
472. Bail out – provide emergency financial support
Business example: “The government bailed out several struggling firms.”
473. Back up – support claims or duplicate data
Business example: “Make sure to back up your data regularly.”
474. Break down – analyse or stop working
Business example: “Let’s break down the expenses by department.”
475. Brush up – improve knowledge or skills
Business example: “She brushed up on her presentation skills.”
476. Call off – cancel an event or activity
Business example: “They called off the annual conference due to low registrations.”
477. Carry forward – transfer unused resources
Business example: “Unused leave days can be carried forward.”
478. Catch on – become popular or understand
Business example: “The new software quickly caught on.”
479. Check out – investigate or verify
Business example: “Check out the vendor’s reputation before signing.”
480. Clear up – clarify confusion or tidy
Business example: “Let’s clear up the misunderstanding.”
481. Come through – succeed or deliver
Business example: “The team came through with great results.”
482. Cut out – remove or eliminate
Business example: “Cut out unnecessary steps in the process.”
483. Do over – repeat or redo
Business example: “The report was unclear; please do it over.”
484. Draw up – prepare documents or plans
Business example: “They drew up the contracts yesterday.”
485. Drop by – visit briefly
Business example: “I will drop by your office later.”
486. Fall behind – lag in progress
Business example: “We fell behind schedule.”
487. Follow through – complete an action
Business example: “Make sure to follow through on your promises.”
488. Get through – succeed in contacting or finishing
Business example: “I got through to the client after several attempts.”
489. Give off – emit scents or signals
Business example: “The new products give off a pleasant aroma.”
490. Go over – review or examine in detail
Business example: “Go over the safety protocols before the event.”
491. Hold up – delay or remain strong
Business example: “Traffic held up the delivery.”
492. Keep on – continue
Business example: “Keep on working hard.”
493. Knock down – demolish or reduce price
Business example: “They knocked down the old warehouse.”
494. Lay off – dismiss from employment
Business example: “They laid off several employees due to reorganisation.”
495. Look into – investigate or examine
Business example: “We are looking into the issue.”
496. Make up – reconcile or invent
Business example: “The partners made up after the dispute.”
497. Pass on – transmit or give
Business example: “Please pass on the message.”
498. Pull out – withdraw from involvement
Business example: “The investor pulled out of the deal.”
499. Put off – delay or discourage
Business example: “Don’t put off addressing client concerns.”
500. Run out – exhaust supply
Business example: “We ran out of office supplies last week.”
501. Act out – express feelings through actions
Business example: “Sometimes employees act out their frustration through decreased productivity.”
502. Back off – withdraw from a situation or conflict
Business example: “The company decided to back off the aggressive marketing strategy after customer complaints.”
503. Bail in – involve internal resources or support
Business example: “Instead of external funding, the firm bailed in with its own reserves.”
504. Bear with – be patient
Business example: “Please bear with me while I gather the necessary documents.”
505. Blow over – settle or be forgotten
Business example: “The minor scandal eventually blew over without affecting sales.”
506. Break away – separate from a group or company
Business example: “Several employees broke away to form their own startup.”
507. Bring about – cause to happen
Business example: “The new policy brought about improvements in employee satisfaction.”
508. Build up – increase gradually or develop
Business example: “The company built up a strong reputation over the last decade.”
509. Burn out – become exhausted or overwhelmed
Business example: “To avoid burnout, the HR department promotes work-life balance.”
510. Call out – publicly identify or challenge
Business example: “The report called out the inefficiencies in supply chain management.”
511. Carry on – continue despite difficulties
Business example: “Despite setbacks, the team carried on with the project.”
512. Cash in on – take advantage of an opportunity
Business example: “The firm cashed in on the trend for sustainable products.”
513. Check in with – contact to provide updates
Business example: “Please check in with the client after each project milestone.”
514. Clear out – remove or vacate
Business example: “The staff cleared out outdated inventory to make space.”
515. Come through with – deliver as promised
Business example: “The vendor came through with the delivery on time.”
516. Cut down on – reduce consumption or expenses
Business example: “Management asked us to cut down on office supply costs.”
517. Deal in – trade or have a business in
Business example: “The company deals in luxury goods.”
518. Dive into – start doing something enthusiastically
Business example: “We need to dive into the new project immediately.”
519. Draw up on – use as a resource
Business example: “We will draw up on expert consultants for this project.”
520. Drop back – fall behind or retreat
Business example: “Our sales dropped back after the competitor’s aggressive pricing.”
521. Face up to – confront or accept reality
Business example: “The CEO had to face up to the financial challenges.”
522. Fall through – fail to materialize
Business example: “The merger fell through due to regulatory issues.”
523. Figure in – be included or considered
Business example: “Logistics costs figure in the overall budget.”
524. Follow up on – pursue further action
Business example: “We need to follow up on the client’s complaint.”
525. Get down to – start seriously working on
Business example: “Let’s get down to the details of the proposal.”
526. Give out – distribute or emit
Business example: “The marketing team gave out samples at the event.”
527. Go along with – agree or support
Business example: “I’ll go along with your suggestion for the new campaign.”
528. Hold off – delay or postpone
Business example: “We decided to hold off on the product launch.”
529. Keep back – retain or hold in reserve
Business example: “Keep back some budget for emergency expenses.”
530. Kick around – discuss informally
Business example: “We kicked around ideas for the new branding.”
531. Lay down – establish rules or policies
Business example: “The company laid down strict data security protocols.”
532. Look over – review or inspect
Business example: “Please look over the agreement before signing.”
533. Make out – understand or perceive
Business example: “It’s hard to make out the details in this report.”
534. Nod off – fall asleep briefly
Business example: “Several attendees nodded off during the lengthy presentation.”
535. Opt in – choose to participate
Business example: “Employees can opt in for the healthcare plan.”
536. Pay off – bring success or repay debt
Business example: “The extra effort paid off with increased sales.”
537. Pick up on – notice or respond to
Business example: “She quickly picked up on the client’s concerns.”
538. Plug in – connect to power or network
Business example: “Please plug in your laptops before the meeting.”
539. Pull together – cooperate or unite for a goal
Business example: “The departments pulled together to meet the deadline.”
540. Put aside – save or set aside
Business example: “We put aside funds for research and development.”
541. Queue up – line up or arrange in order
Business example: “Clients queued up for the product launch.”
542. Run up against – encounter difficulties or opposition
Business example: “We ran up against unexpected regulatory hurdles.”
543. Set back – delay or hinder progress
Business example: “Technical issues set back the project timeline.”
544. Show up – arrive or appear
Business example: “All team members showed up on time.”
545. Sign off – approve or finalize
Business example: “The CEO signed off on the new budget.”
546. Step up – increase or improve
Business example: “We need to step up marketing efforts.”
547. Take out on – vent frustration on someone
Business example: “Don’t take out your stress on your colleagues.”
548. Talk through – explain in detail
Business example: “Let me talk you through the new software features.”
549. Turn down – reject or decrease volume
Business example: “They turned down our partnership proposal.”
550. Use up – consume entirely
Business example: “We used up the entire quarterly budget.”
551. Wait on – serve or attend to
Business example: “The receptionist waits on all visitors promptly.”
552. Walk through – guide or explain step-by-step
Business example: “The trainer walked us through the new procedure.”
553. Watch over – supervise or protect
Business example: “Managers watch over employee performance closely.”
554. Wind up – conclude or close
Business example: “We need to wind up the project by the end of the month.”
555. Work out – find a solution or plan
Business example: “We worked out a new schedule for the team.”
556. Write up – prepare a formal document
Business example: “She wrote up the final report for the board.”
557. Zero in on – focus closely on
Business example: “We zeroed in on cost-saving opportunities.”
558. Zoom in – magnify or focus
Business example: “Zoom in on the critical data during your presentation.”
559. Zip through – complete quickly
Business example: “We zipped through the training modules.”
560. Back out of – withdraw from a commitment
Business example: “The investor backed out of the funding agreement.”
561. Blow up at – lose temper suddenly
Business example: “She blew up at the team after the missed deadline.”
562. Bring forward – advance a date or proposal
Business example: “The meeting was brought forward to this Friday.”
563. Call in on – make a short visit
Business example: “I called in on the new branch last week.”
564. Carry forward – transfer or extend
Business example: “Unused leave days can be carried forward next year.”
565. Check back – return to verify
Business example: “Check back with me after you get the updates.”
566. Clear away – remove or tidy up
Business example: “Please clear away the materials after the workshop.”
567. Come down to – be due to or depend on
Business example: “Success comes down to good teamwork.”
568. Cut across – affect multiple departments or groups
Business example: “The changes cut across all divisions.”
569. Do away with – abolish or eliminate
Business example: “We decided to do away with paper invoices.”
570. Draw up – prepare documents or plans
Business example: “Our lawyers drew up the contract quickly.”
571. Drop behind – fall behind schedule
Business example: “We have dropped behind due to supplier delays.”
572. Face off – confront or compete
Business example: “Two teams faced off in the innovation challenge.”
573. Fall back on – rely on in difficulty
Business example: “We’ll have to fall back on our reserves.”
574. Get ahead of – surpass or outpace
Business example: “We need to get ahead of market trends.”
575. Get around to – find time to do something
Business example: “I finally got around to reviewing the proposal.”
576. Give out to – reprimand
Business example: “The manager gave out to staff for missing deadlines.”
577. Go against – oppose or contradict
Business example: “Campaigns that go against company values aren’t approved.”
578. Hang on to – retain or keep
Business example: “Hold on to your client contacts carefully.”
579. Hold up – delay or support
Business example: “The contract was held up in legal review.”
580. Keep off – avoid entering or touching
Business example: “Keep off sensitive documents.”
581. Kick in – begin to have an effect
Business example: “The new policies will kick in next quarter.”
582. Lay out – plan or arrange in detail
Business example: “The CEO laid out the strategy for growth.”
583. Look into – investigate or examine
Business example: “We are looking into the source of the issue.”
584. Make it up to – compensate for a previous fault
Business example: “We’ll make it up to you with extra support.”
585. Move on from – leave behind and progress
Business example: “It’s time to move on from past mistakes.”
586. Opt out of – choose not to participate
Business example: “Several employees opted out of the wellness program.”
587. Pay back – return borrowed money
Business example: “The client paid back the loan early.”
588. Pick up on – notice or acknowledge
Business example: “She picked up on the subtle hints from the client.”
589. Pull through – survive or recover
Business example: “The company pulled through the financial crisis.”
590. Put up with – tolerate something unpleasant
Business example: “We cannot put up with supplier delays any longer.”
591. Run by – present an idea for approval
Business example: “I want to run the proposal by the director first.”
592. Set apart – distinguish or separate
Business example: “Their innovation sets them apart from competitors.”
593. Show off – display proudly (use with discretion)
Business example: “The designers showed off the new features at the expo.”
594. Step down from – resign or leave a post
Business example: “The CFO stepped down from his position last month.”
595. Stick to – follow or adhere strictly
Business example: “We must stick to the budget this quarter.”
596. Take off – begin to succeed or depart
Business example: “Our sales figures really took off after the campaign.”
597. Talk up – promote enthusiastically
Business example: “She talked up the benefits of the new software.”
598. Tie up – complete or secure
Business example: “We tied up loose ends before the project closed.”
599. Turn in – submit or deliver
Business example: “Please turn in your reports by Monday.”
600. Work through – resolve by effort
Business example: “The team worked through challenges to finish on time.”
