Business English Phrasal Verbs: Talking About Success
If you’ve ever heard words put together to create different meanings while at work, then chances are what you’re hearing is an English phrasal verb. They’re commonly used by Americans, you’ll hear them from your friends and your coworkers. If you have to give a presentation at work, then you can casually weave in English phrasal verbs to connect with your listeners and sell your idea or product.
Below, you’ll find 20 of the most common English phrasal verbs describing success that you’ll hear at work. Along with an example, you’ll find each phrasal verb with a meaning, and further explanation, and if you’re wondering what a phrasal verb is, then just remember this simple equation:
Verb + preposition or verb + preposition + preposition = English phrasal verb
20 English Phrasal Verbs for Business Success
Phrasal Verb: To catch on (non-separable)
Meaning: To become popular
Example: A new effort to market audiobooks to teenagers has failed to catch on with them. Sales show that they have not become as popular as the company hoped.
Explanation: In the example above, to catch on is the English phrasal verb that is being used to describe the popularity of audiobooks amongst teenagers.
Phrasal Verb: To pull off something (non-separable with nouns)
Meaning: To succeed in doing something
Example: The soccer player pulled off a record attempt in scoring the highest amount of goals.
Explanation: The phrasal verb in this example shows that the soccer player was able to accomplish the task of scoring a record number of goals.
Phrasal Verb: To pull it/them/this etc. off (needs to be separated with pronouns etc.)
Meaning: To succeed in doing something
Example: How did Peter pull this off? He is so successful now, and it didn’t look like his company was going to be a success in the beginning.
Explanation: Describing Peter’s business success, this phrasal verb is separated by a demonstrative pronoun to ask how Peter was able to succeed at business.
Phrasal Verb: To take off (non-separable in this context)
Meaning: To increase rapidly
Example: Sales in umbrellas have taken off due to the bad weather.
Explanation: This is a fairly simple and straightforward phrasal verb to illustrate the rapid growth in umbrella sales as a result of the poor weather.
Phrasal Verb: To build on success (non-separable)
Meaning: To use success as a base for more success
Example: Sarah has really built on her success as a lawyer. She is, now, running her own law firm.
Explanation: Sarah’s initial success is used for her to have other successes, as illustrated here by the phrasal verb.
Phrasal Verb: To catch up with someone (non-separable)
Meaning: To reach the same quality or standard
Example: Always try to catch up with the most successful people in your company.
Explanation: This phrasal verb tells the reader that it is important to try to reach the same quality or standard as the most successful people in their company.
Phrasal Verb: To catch up with someone (non-separable)
Meaning: To reach the same speed as someone
Example: During a marathon, Sarah is catching up with Ann even though Ann is usually much faster.
Explanation: In this case, the phrasal verb deals with reaching the same speed, which is a specific type of quality or standard.
Phrasal Verb: To catch up with someone (non-separable)
Meaning: To exchange the latest info about something (usually someone’s life) with someone
Example: Sarah: “Bye Peter, we’ll need to catch up soon!” Peter responds: “Sure, let’s grab some coffee next week.”
Explanation: In this case, the phrasal verb deals with expressing that a person wants to update someone else on their life.
Phrasal Verb: To keep up with someone/something (non-separable)
Meaning: To make progress at the same speed as someone or something else
Example: It is hard to keep up with the current fashion trends.
Explanation: In this context, the speaker finds it difficult to refresh their wardrobe style at the same rate as contemporary fashion trends.
Phrasal Verb: To keep up with someone/something (non-separable)
Meaning: To make progress at the same speed as someone or something else
Example: During the marathon, Sarah is keeping up with Ann. How amazing!
Explanation: In this literal case, Sarah is able to run at the same speed as Ann during the race.
Phrasal Verb: To pay off (non-separable)
Meaning: To be successful, to be worth it
Example: The investment will pay off.
Explanation: In this case, the phrasal verb is used to show that the investment will be successful.
Phrasal Verb: To stay ahead (non-separable)
Meaning: To continue to be more advanced and successful than other people
Example: For our country to stay ahead, we should invest more in infrastructure.
Explanation: For the country to be more successful than others, this phrasal verb suggests it needs to invest more in infrastructure.
Phrasal Verb: To believe in (non-separable)
Meaning: To be certain that something is good or right
Example: We all believe in the purpose of the project.
Explanation: In this example, the group is confident about the purpose of the project.
Phrasal Verb: To cheer up (needs to be separated when used with pronouns, optional with nouns)
Meaning: To make someone or a group of people happier
Example: We brought back coffee for everyone in the office, hoping to cheer up the team.
Explanation: This phrasal verb is used to show that the purpose of the coffee is to make the team happier.
Phrasal Verb: To eat out (non-separable)
Meaning: To eat at a cafe or restaurant
Example: Tonight, I’m going to eat out with my family at our favorite place in town.
Explanation: In this example, the speaker is taking their family out to a restaurant to eat dinner.
Phrasal Verb: To hurry up (non-separable)
Meaning: To do something more quickly
Example: Before holiday season, we try to hurry up to make sure all of our projects are done early.
Explanation: The phrasal verb in this sentence is used to tell the reader that the team tries to work quickly before the holiday season.
Phrasal Verb: To join in (non-separable)
Meaning: To become involved in an activity with other people
Example: The whole office joined in to play board games on Friday afternoon.
Explanation: The entire office was involved in playing board games on Friday, which is explained through the phrasal verb.
Phrasal Verb: To look up (separable by pronouns)
Meaning: To try and find information about a specific topic
Example: We will need to look up the dimensions for the table before moving it into the dining room.
Explanation: In this example, the speaker needs to find information about the table’s dimensions.
Phrasal Verb: To put off (separable by pronouns)
Meaning: To decide to do something at a later point in time
Example: I need to put off this report until Monday, when the team has all of the data compiled.
Explanation: In this example, the speaker has decided to delay the report to a later point in time.
Phrasal Verb: To sort out (separable by pronouns)
Meaning: To resolve a problem or misunderstanding
Example: He was able to sort out the problem with the car’s engine before we made it out of the autoshop.
Explanation: The problem with the car’s engine is resolved by the person at the autoshop.
Phrasal Verb: To write down (needs to be separated with pronouns, optional with nouns)
Meaning: To write something on a piece of paper to avoid forgetting
Example: The students in my class like to write down the information on the whiteboard when studying for their exams.
Explanation: In this example, the phrasal verb shows how the students take the information from the whiteboard and write it on a piece of paper to help them study.
Now, you have at least 20 verbal phrase examples to use at work, home, or when meeting new people. If you’d like to be successful in your job, then these will help you connect with English-speaking American coworkers. Soon, they’ll be trying to catch up with your skills!
A Note About Phrasal Verbs Describing Success & American Culture
Phrasal verbs of success such as ‘to take off’ and ‘to stay ahead’ are commonly used in the United States by politicians, community leaders, and companies to connect with their audiences. They are used to create a cultural narrative rooted in the American Dream — one that is filled with hope, resurrection, and success.
If you’re trying to get an American audience to listen to your message, then it’s important to root it in positivity, and optimism. Since Americans highly respect people who have reinvented themselves in the face of hardship, these stories can be powerful in crafting a message. Verbal phrases like ‘to catch on’, ‘to pull off’, ‘to stay ahead of the curve’, and ‘to take on’ can be used in these stories to make them relatable. After all, shared language helps to create shared understanding.
(Image source: http://wejungo.com/make-success-your-choice/)