Essential Business Phrasal Verbs
Set up
Meaning: To establish or create something (a business, meeting, system, etc.)
We plan to set up a new branch office in Singapore next year.
Can you set up a meeting with the marketing team for Thursday?
Follow up
Meaning: To pursue or investigate something further; to take additional action after initial contact
I’ll follow up with the client after our presentation to answer any questions.
Please follow up on the invoice that was sent last week.
Deal with
Meaning: To handle or manage a situation, problem, or person
How should we deal with this supply chain issue?
Carry out
Meaning: To perform or complete a task, plan, or instruction
We need to carry out a thorough market analysis before launching the product.
The audit will be carried out by an external firm.
Come up with
Meaning: To think of or produce an idea, solution, or plan
The team came up with several innovative solutions to reduce costs.
We need to come up with a new marketing strategy by next month.
Take on
Meaning: To accept or undertake (responsibility, work, employees)
Our department is taking on two new projects this quarter.
We’re planning to take on five new employees in the sales division.
Work out
Meaning: To solve a problem or calculate something; to develop successfully
Let’s work out the details of the contract in tomorrow’s meeting.
If everything works out, we’ll launch in December.
Back up
Meaning: To support someone or something; to make a copy of data
The research backs up our marketing claims.
Make sure to back up all your files before leaving today.
Point out
Meaning: To draw attention to something; to mention or indicate
She pointed out several errors in the financial report.
I’d like to point out that we’re ahead of schedule.
Call off
Meaning: To cancel an event or arrangement
We had to call off the conference due to low registration numbers.
The strike was called off after successful negotiations.