10 High-Level Phrasal Verbs for Business and University Life
1. Bring up
- Definition: To introduce a topic or subject in a conversation or discussion.
- Example: During the meeting, Sarah brought up the issue of budget constraints.
2. Carry out
- Definition: To perform or complete a task, plan, or project.
- Example: The research team carried out an extensive study on climate change.
3. Follow up
- Definition: To take further action after something has been done or discussed.
- Example: Please follow up with the client to confirm the details of the agreement.
4. Look into
- Definition: To investigate or examine something carefully.
- Example: The professor asked us to look into the causes of economic inequality.
5. Come up with
- Definition: To think of or produce an idea, solution, or plan.
- Example: The marketing team came up with a brilliant strategy for the new product launch.
6. Take on
- Definition: To accept responsibility for a task, role, or challenge.
- Example: She decided to take on the role of project manager for the upcoming event.
7. Turn down
- Definition: To reject an offer, proposal, or request.
- Example: He turned down the job offer because it didn’t align with his career goals.
8. Set up
- Definition: To arrange or establish something, such as a meeting, system, or business.
- Example: The IT department set up a new software system for the company.
9. Run into
- Definition: To encounter someone or something unexpectedly, often a problem.
- Example: We ran into some technical issues during the presentation.
10. Work out
- Definition: To find a solution to a problem or come to an agreement after discussion.
- Example: After hours of negotiation, they worked out a deal that satisfied both parties.
QUIZ
Multiple Choice
1. Which phrasal verb means to introduce or mention a topic?
a) Carry out
b) Bring up
c) Follow up
d) Look into
2. What does "come up with" mean in this context?
a) Arrive at a meeting
b) Raise a topic
c) Create or think of an idea
d) Climb stairs
3. When you "take on" new responsibilities, you:
a) Reject them
b) Delegate them
c) Accept or assume them
d) Postpone them
True/False
4. To "carry out" an assignment means to complete or execute it.
5. "Running into" problems means avoiding them.
Fill in the Blank
6. After sending an important email, it's good practice to ________ ________ with the recipient if you don't receive a response.
7. When you need to investigate something, you ________ ________ it.
8. If you decline an opportunity, you ________ ________ the offer.
9. To stay organized, I ________ ________ my schedule for the week every Sunday evening.
10. Despite our differences, we managed to ________ ________ a solution that satisfied both parties.
Match the phrasal verbs to their meanings:
11. Bring up a) Investigate
12. Look into b) Mention or introduce a topic
13. Turn down c) Arrange or organize
14. Set up d) Reject or refuse
Answers:
1. b) Bring up
2. c) Create or think of an idea
3. c) Accept or assume them
4. True
5. False
6. follow up
7. look into
8. turn down
9. set up
10. work out
11. b
12. a
13. d
14. c
BONUS PRACTICE
Answer these questions using Phrasal Verbs:
1. Can you think of a time when you had to bring up an important topic during a meeting or class? How did it go?
2. Imagine you've been asked to carry out a confidential assignment this week. What steps would you take to keep it under wraps?
3. How do you usually follow up after sending an important email or completing a task?
4. Have you ever had to look into the details of a proposed project before agreeing to work on it? What did you learn?
5. What’s the most creative idea you’ve come up with recently? How did others react to it?
6. Do you prefer taking on new responsibilities at work or school, or do you prefer sticking to what you know? Why?
7. Have you ever had to turn down an opportunity because it wasn’t right for you? What was it?
8. How do you usually set up your schedule to stay productive during the week?
9. Have you ever run into unexpected problems while working on a project? How did you handle the situation?
10. Can you describe a situation where you had to work out a solution with someone who had different opinions from yours?