Introduction to Business Phrasal Verbs
Learning business phrasal verbs is one of the fastest ways to improve your professional English. Native English speakers use phrasal verbs every day in meetings, emails, presentations, and workplace conversations.
If you understand and use common business phrasal verbs correctly, you will sound more natural, confident, and professional.
In this article, you’ll learn 10 essential business phrasal verbs, their meanings, and how to use them in realistic workplace situations.
1. Start Up
Meaning: To begin a new business or company.
Example Sentence:
Sarah decided to start up her own marketing consultancy after working in the industry for ten years.
Business Context:
Many entrepreneurs dream of starting up a business. This phrasal verb is commonly used when discussing new companies, startups, and business ventures.
2. Kick Off
Meaning: To begin something formally.
Example Sentence:
The project team will kick off the new initiative with a planning meeting next Monday.
Business Context:
Companies often kick off projects, meetings, training programmes, and marketing campaigns.
3. Push Back
Meaning: To delay or postpone something.
Example Sentence:
The product launch was pushed back by two weeks due to technical issues.
Business Context:
Deadlines, meetings, and project launches are frequently pushed back when unexpected problems arise.
4. Move Ahead
Meaning: To continue making progress.
Example Sentence:
After receiving approval from management, the team was able to move ahead with the proposal.
Business Context:
Managers often use this phrase when discussing project progress and next steps.
5. Roll Out
Meaning: To introduce a new product, service, system, or process.
Example Sentence:
The company plans to roll out a new customer relationship management system next month.
Business Context:
Businesses regularly roll out new products, software systems, policies, and training programmes.
6. Carry Out
Meaning: To perform or complete a task.
Example Sentence:
Engineers carried out a series of safety inspections before the equipment was installed.
Business Context:
Employees carry out tasks, research, inspections, audits, and assessments as part of their daily responsibilities.
7. Bring Forward
Meaning: To move something to an earlier date or time.
Example Sentence:
Management decided to bring forward the meeting because several team members were travelling later in the week.
Business Context:
Meetings, deadlines, launches, and project milestones are often brought forward to meet business needs.
8. Launch Into
Meaning: To begin something enthusiastically or energetically.
Example Sentence:
The sales director launched into a detailed presentation about the company’s growth strategy.
Business Context:
People often launch into presentations, discussions, explanations, or speeches during meetings.
9. Move Forward
Meaning: To continue progressing toward a goal.
Example Sentence:
The organisation is ready to move forward with the next phase of its digital transformation project.
Business Context:
This is one of the most common business phrasal verbs used in project management and strategic planning.
10. Set Up
Meaning: To establish or arrange something.
Example Sentence:
The IT department set up a new online portal for employees.
Business Context:
Companies set up meetings, systems, departments, offices, and business processes.
Why Are Business Phrasal Verbs Important?
Understanding business phrasal verbs helps you:
- Communicate more naturally in English.
- Participate confidently in meetings.
- Understand native speakers more easily.
- Write more professional emails.
- Improve your workplace communication skills.
Many business professionals learn grammar and vocabulary but struggle when native speakers use phrasal verbs. Learning common business phrasal verbs can significantly improve your fluency and listening comprehension.
Quick Review of These Business Phrasal Verbs
| Business Phrasal Verb | Meaning |
|---|
| Start Up | Begin a business |
| Kick Off | Begin formally |
| Push Back | Delay something |
| Move Ahead | Continue progress |
| Roll Out | Introduce officially |
| Carry Out | Perform a task |
| Bring Forward | Move earlier |
| Launch Into | Begin enthusiastically |
| Move Forward | Continue progressing |
| Set Up | Establish or arrange |
Final Thoughts On Business Phrasal Verbs
Mastering business phrasal verbs is an important step toward becoming a more confident English speaker in the workplace. The 10 phrasal verbs in this article are commonly used in meetings, project management, presentations, and everyday business communication.
Try using these business phrasal verbs in your next meeting, email, or conversation. The more you practise them, the more natural your Business English will become.
Which of these business phrasal verbs do you already use at work?