Lesson 2 of 6
Phrasal Verbs for Work
Sound natural and professional in meetings, emails and calls.
American offices run on phrasal verbs. In one meeting you might hear: "Let's follow up on that", "Can you look into it?", "We need to push back the launch". If you don't know them, you'll miss important details. If you use them, you'll sound like part of the team.
LearnThe key ideas
Workplace essentials
| Phrasal verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| follow up (on) | check back or continue later | I'll follow up on this tomorrow. |
| look into | investigate | I'll look into the issue. |
| push back | delay, or disagree | They pushed the deadline back. |
| set up | arrange or organize | Can we set up a call? |
| bring up | mention a topic | I'd like to bring up the budget. |
| run by | ask for someone's opinion | Let me run this by my manager. |
| fill in (for) | replace temporarily, or inform | Can you fill me in on the meeting? |
| wrap up | finish | Let's wrap up here. |
ListenListen and repeat
- Just following up on my last email.A common, polite email opener.
- Can you fill me in?Tell me what I missed.
- Let me run it by the team.Get their opinion first.
- Let's wrap up and pick this up tomorrow.End now and continue later.
AvoidCommon mistakes
I will revert back to you.✓ I'll get back to you."Revert" isn't used this way in American English.
Please prepone the meeting.✓ Can we move the meeting up?"Prepone" isn't used in American English.
Let us discuss about it.✓ Let's go over it."Go over" means review.
SpeakShadowing practice
Press Listen, then repeat straight away, copying the speed, rhythm and tone. Say each sentence three times, then record yourself.
- Hi team, just following up on yesterday's meeting.
- I'll look into it and get back to you by Friday.
- Let me run this by my manager and I'll circle back.
Record the sentences above and compare with the audio.
CheckQuick quiz
1. "Can you fill me in?" means:
2. Natural American alternative to "I will revert back":
3. "They pushed the deadline back" means it was:
PracticeToday's speaking task
Write a short work email (5–6 lines) using at least four of these phrasal verbs, then read it aloud.