Common Phrasal Verbs Used at Work

What are phrasal verbs?

Phrasal verbs are phrases consisting of a verb and another element such as an adverb or a preposition, or both, and has a meaning that differs from the meaning of its separate parts. 
Phrasal verbs are very commonly used in spoken language and presents a challenge for many non-native speakers, especially since many phrasal verbs use the same verb but only change the particle (the preposition or adverb) and then mean something totally different.  Additionally, phrasal verbs, just like normal words, can have more than one meaning.
 
Here is a list of common phrasal verbs used in the workplace as well as related phrasal verbs that can be confused with them:

1. to take on (something) or to take (something) on 
Meaning: 
a. to accept a job or responsibility, especially one that is challenging or difficult
Examples: 

• Because many people are down with the flu, the remaining workers have to take on more than their usual workload. 
• "Leaders in every field deliberately apply their talents and energies where they can achieve their greatest return on the amount of energy that they invest They refuse to take on jobs or work in areas where they cannot perform at exceptional levels." (Brian Tracy, The Power of Self-Confidence)
• "I share their expertise with you as you take on the challenge of helping your child with word problems specifi -
  cally, and with mathematics in general." (Judy Willis, MD, How Your Child Learns Best)

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b. to fight or compete against someone or something

• It's hard for small companies to take on multinational corporations which seem to have limitless resources in comparison.
• Apple is already taking on established car manufacturers like Tesla and Toyota with the rumored development of their "Apple Car."

2. to look into (something)
Meaning: to examine or carefully consider the facts about a situation, problem or idea

• ​The engineering department is already looking into the cause of these glitches.
• Due to low sales, the company is now looking into the possibility of discontinuing this product.
• Last year, she looked into hiring a personal assistant and an accountant to help her run the business full-time. It was the best decision she'd ever made to help with her work-life balance. 

3. to turn (someone/something) down
Meaning: to reject or say no to someone; to refuse someone's offer or request

• ​I had to turn down my client's lunch invitation just to make it on time for this meeting.
• She was offered this supervisory position but she turned it down for lack of confidence in managing a team. 

4. to get ahead
Meaning: to be successful in the work that you do, or in society in general; to make progress, especially more than others have done

• Because Jane put in more hours talking to prospects, she soon got ahead of the other trainees in her company.
• He's always been very competitive. Even when he was in school, his objective had always been to get ahead and to get the best grades that he possibly could.

5. to step down
Meaning: to give up a job or position; to resign from a position, usually in order to let someone else take their place

• After profits plummeted, the CEO stepped down and apologized to the stockholders. 
• When the video showing her verbally abusing staff became viral, she stepped down from her position as ambassador.

6. gear to/towards;
to gear (something) to/towards/for somebody or something;
to be geared towards (passive verb)
Meaning: 
- to design or organize something so that it is suitable for a specific purpose, situation, or group; 
- designed in order to achieve a particular purpose

• These campaigns are geared towards attracting new and younger users to the platform. 
• The company specializes in equipment geared for beginners so they offer more affordable prices. 

7. to squeeze (somebody/something) in
Meaning: to manage to do something even when you are very busy or don't have enough time; 

• I know we only have ten minutes left, but could we squeeze in one last question from the audience?
• Her schedule is full, but I suppose she could squeeze you in if she's able to have a quick lunch. 

8. to cut something back / to cut back (on) something
Meaning: to reduce something;  to spend less, use less, or do less,  of something

• The recession has caused many companies to cut back on hiring new employees.
• In order to keep everyone on the payroll, I'm afraid we have to cut back on everyone's working hours as well as on paid-leave benefits. 

9. to wrap up something / to wrap something up
Meaning: ​
- to complete something successfully;
- to settle the final details of a job or an agreement in a satisfactory way;
- to conclude or bring something to an end;

• They wrapped up the week-long workshop with an exhibit of the projects done by the participants.
• This contract signing wraps up the months of negotiations between the two companies. 

10. to sell off something/to sell something off
Meaning: 
- ​to sell something cheaply in order to get rid of them or because you need the money
- to get rid of remaining or unsold items by selling them at especially low prices
- to sell all or part of an industry or company

• After restructuring, the company sold off its perfume business in order to just focus on its more profitable clothing line.
• I heard that the store will be selling off  designs from last season.