This lesson covers 30 C2 phrasal verbs on Business & Management. At Proficiency you must distinguish particles that change meaning subtly and match register across formal and informal contexts. Complete the runner, then use the glossary below to consolidate each verb. Detailed explanations appear in Review mode once you finish the set.
go over to sth
to leave one group or organisation and join a group or organisation that is competing against them
The company went over to a four-day working week.
take over sth or take sth over
to get control of a company by buying most of its shares (= the equal parts into which the ownership of the company is divided)
The group took over a smaller competitor last year.
turn over sth or turn sth over
if a business or a company turns over an amount of money, it makes that amount in a particular period of time
The finance director turned over the final page of the annual report.
set up sth or set sth up
to make arrangements so that something can happen or exist
The IT team set up a secure network for remote staff.
line up sth or line sth up
to move something in order to make it straight or level with something else
The sales team lined up three major clients for the launch.
drop out
to not do something that you were going to do, or to stop doing something
Two suppliers dropped out of the tender process.
balance sth against sth
to compare one thing with another when making a judgement or decision
Managers balanced the cost of the upgrade against its long-term benefits.
call for sth
to require or demand something
The board called for a detailed review of the sales figures.
set up sth
to establish a business, organization, or system
The founders set up the company from a small rented office.
tie down sth/sb or tie sth/sb down
to fasten something or someone in a particular position, especially by using ropes
The company tied down its key staff with long-term contracts.
pile up (sth) or pile (sth) up
to become a pile, or to make a lot of things into a pile by putting them on top of each other
Unpaid invoices piled up during the busy season.
set up sb or set sb up
to give someone the money that they need to start a business
The manager set up a new colleague with the equipment she needed.
pick up
if something [e.g. business, economy, trade] picks up, it improves or increases after a bad period
Sales picked up after the new advertising campaign.
carry over sth
to transfer something, such as work or money, to a later period
Any unused budget will carry over into the next financial year.
fix up sth or fix sth up
to arrange something [esp. meeting]
We fixed up a meeting with the client for Thursday morning.
invest sth in sth
to use a lot of time or effort trying to achieve something or trying to make something successful
The business invested heavily in renewable energy.
aim sth at sb
to intend something to influence someone, or to be noticed or bought by someone
The company aimed its new service at small business owners.
pick out sth/sb or pick sth/sb out
to choose one thing or person or several things or people from a large group
The hiring panel picked out the strongest candidate from the shortlist.
back off
to stop being involved in a situation, especially in order to allow other people to deal with it themselves
The director agreed to back off and let the project team decide.
soldier on
to continue doing something, although it is difficult or unpleasant
Despite the setback, the sales team soldiered on.
look after sth
to be responsible for dealing with something
The new manager looks after the company’s overseas accounts.
bring in sb/sth or bring sb/sth in
if something, for example a company, brings people or business in, it attracts people, often encouraging them to buy products or services
The firm brought in an external consultant to review the strategy.
see about sth
to deal with something, or to arrange for something to be done
The office manager will see about ordering more laptops.
deal in sth
to buy and sell particular goods as a business
The firm deals in specialist medical equipment.
take up sth or take sth up
to use a particular amount of time, space or effort
The firm took up a new marketing opportunity in the region.
phase out sth
to gradually stop using, producing, or providing something
The company plans to phase out its oldest software package.
sort out sth or sort sth out
to arrange or organise things which are untidy
The operations manager sorted out the delivery problem quickly.
knock sth about/around
informal to consider an idea
The managers knocked the proposal about before approving it.
break into sth
to become involved in a type of business or activity that is difficult to become involved in
The retailer hopes to break into the Asian market next year.
go ahead
if an event goes ahead, it happens
The board told the team to go ahead with the new warehouse.