Business Builder: Phrasal verbs for business

To help you improve your Business English communication skills I have made a list of advanced Business English phrasal verbs. Phrasal verbs are short phrases (more than one word) that are used as one verb. Let’s look at each phrasal verb’s meaning, and how to use it.

·         Branch out (try new things or diversify your business) – “We are branching out into the digital arena.”

·         Break into (enter something difficult, possibly by force) – “We are breaking into the Japanese market.”

·         Look forward to (be happy about something in the future) – “We look forward to you starting with us.”

·         Step up (rise to a challenge or take a difficult position) – “Jen stepped up and took on the team manager’s job.”

·         Step down (leave a position of authority) – “Craig stepped down from his directorship role.”

·         Take up (to occupy or use something) – “The new software takes up all of our disc space, we will need to upgrade our hardware.”

·         Weigh up (consider or balance out probabilities) – “We have weighed up our options and decided to hire Emily for the new position.”

·         Lay off (fire or make redundant) – “Pam was laid off last week.”

·         Take on (hire or employ) – “We took Adrian on a week ago.”

Do you know these more advanced phrasal verbs for Business English? Try them out in conversation or email and see how you get on.