Phrasal Verbs for Workplace Communication – Introduction
Mastering phrasal verbs is essential for sounding more natural and confident in professional settings. Whether you’re participating in meetings, collaborating on projects or handling workplace challenges, using the correct expressions can help you communicate more smoothly and effectively.
In a previous article, 10 Essential Business Phrasal Verbs (link to article), we explored some of the most important phrasal verbs used in professional environments. This article expands on that list with even more workplace-ready expressions. Incorporating these new phrasal verbs into your daily conversations will improve your fluency and build stronger professional relationships.
If you want to practise using these expressions in real conversations with other professionals, consider joining our Business English Community, where you can engage in discussions and refine your language skills.
Phrasal Verbs for Meetings and Discussions
Chip in – To contribute to a conversation or project.
“During the brainstorming session, everyone chipped in with great ideas.”
Run through – To quickly review or explain something.
“Before we finalise the report, let’s run through the key points one more time.”
Wrap up – To finish or conclude a meeting.
“We’re running out of time, so let’s wrap up the discussion.”
Phrasal Verbs for Workplace Collaboration
Pitch in – To help or contribute effort.
“We’re on a tight deadline, so everyone needs to pitch in to get the project done.”
Back up – To support someone’s idea or decision.
“During the presentation, Sarah backed up my argument with strong data.”
Step in – To intervene or take control of a situation.
“When the discussion got too heated, the manager stepped in to calm things down.”
Phrasal Verbs for Handling Workload and Deadlines
Catch up (on/with) – To get up to date with work.
“I was on leave last week, so I need to catch up on emails.”
Hand in – To submit something. (Note: turn in is more commonly used in the US.)
“Please hand in your expense reports by Friday.”
Take on – To accept responsibility or a new task.
“She’s taking on additional duties while her colleague is away.”
Phrasal Verbs for Workplace Challenges and Problem-Solving
Iron out – To resolve a problem or disagreement.
“We need to iron out the final details before signing the contract.”
Bring forward – To reschedule something for an earlier date.
“The meeting has been brought forward to Tuesday instead of Thursday.”
Work around – To find a way to overcome an obstacle.
“There’s a delay in the delivery, but we can work around it by using a temporary solution.”
Phrasal Verbs for Office Socialising and Networking
Pop in – To visit briefly. (More typical in UK English; in the US, drop in is used.)
“I’ll pop in to your office later to discuss the proposal.”
Get along (with) – To have a good relationship with someone.
“Luckily, I get along well with my colleagues.”
Chat up – To engage someone in friendly conversation. (In UK English, this can sometimes have a flirting connotation, but it can also be neutral in workplace contexts.)
“At the conference, I chatted up a potential client about our services.”
Phrasal Verbs for Workplace Communication – Conclusion
Using phrasal verbs correctly can make your workplace communication more natural and effective. Whether you’re in meetings, collaborating with colleagues or handling daily tasks, these expressions will help you navigate professional conversations with ease.
Want to practise these phrases in real conversations? Join our Business English Community, where professionals like you improve workplace communication through engaging discussions and interactive learning.
Also, don’t forget to check out my previous article, 10 Essential Business Phrasal Verbs (link to article), to expand your vocabulary even further!
