Welcome back to The Art of Business English. In this week's episode we are going to look at part 2 of my 3-part mini-series looking at ten more must know phrasal verbs for business.
Communicating with native English speakers in a business setting means you are likely to hear phrasal verbs several times during a conversation. Phrasal verbs can make the conversation difficult to follow for non-native English speakers. Reviewing phrasal verbs and their definitions will help with your comprehension.
If you haven’t already taken a look at episode 1 of the mini-series, then you can review it here.
Finally, of course, if you have any questions or would like to add yours to the list, then why don’t you send me a message on speakpipe below or drop me a comment.
Let’s take a look.
Draw up
Meaning:
To draw up an agreement, a contract, a list, etc. means to compose the document and put it in written form.
Example:
“My lawyer will draw up a contract and send it for your review.”
Watch the episode here
Burn out
Meaning:
To burn out means to work too hard, so that you become completely stressed and exhausted. The noun form, burnout, is also used.
Example:
“If you keep working 16-hour days, you’ll burn out within a month.”
(Not) Measure up
Meaning:
If something doesn’t measure up; it means it is not satisfactory; it doesn’t compare well with the standards.
Example:
“This designer’s work just doesn’t measure up to the quality we’ve come to expect.”
Zero in on
Meaning:
To focus closely on something.
Example:
“We’ve tried a lot of strategies, but we need to zero in on what’s actually working.”
Lay off
Meaning:
If an employee is laid off, they lose their job; the company terminates their employment.
Example:
“The R&D department had to lay off a couple of people.”
Pencil in
Meaning:
To set an appointment, but not confirm it as final.
Example:
“Let’s pencil in a lunch meeting next Wednesday —but I’ll call you later to confirm it.”
Run by/past
Meaning:
To show an idea or proposal to a person and ask for their approval or feedback.
Example:
“That’s an interesting idea. Let’s run it by the boss and see what she thinks.”
Close down
Meaning:
To stop operating.
Example:
“The company closed down the factory because it wasn’t meeting production quotas.”
Sign off on
Meaning:
To give official approval for something.
Example:
“The manager signed off on the revised budget for 2015.”
Put off
Meaning:
To postpone, delay.
Example:
“The construction on the new building was put off because of all the rain this summer.”
Final thoughts
I hope you have found this episode of the AOBE useful. Now you know more phrasal verbs which will help you to understand conversations in business settings better and to express yourself more accurately.
If you're interested in learning more collocations and expressions, you can enrol in our course "Confidence in Business Meetings" below in the sample lessons.
I will see you all next week for another free episode of the Art of Business English. Till then, take care.
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