"Mastering Business English: Phrasal Verbs for Productive Meetings"

Meetings can be difficult as there is often new vocabulary that comes up. The goal with this article is to go over phrasal verbs that might be said in a meeting, in a realistic way.

Let's go through the list of phrasal verbs and provide the meanings and examples for each within the context of a meeting story:

1. Start Off: To begin or initiate something.

• Example 1: "Let's start off the meeting with a brief introduction of our team members."

• Example 2: "We'll start off by discussing the agenda for today."

• Example 3: "The manager started off the presentation with some key statistics."

2. Get Into: To become involved in or discuss a topic in more detail.

• Example 1: "Now, let's get into the details of our sales strategy."

• Example 2: "We need to get into the specifics of the budget allocation."

• Example 3: "It's time to get into the issues that have been raised in the feedback."

3. Jot Down: To quickly write or make a note of something.

• Example 1: "Please jot down any important points during the meeting for the minutes."

• Example 2: "I'll jot down your suggestions for improvement."

• Example 3: "I need to jot down these action items for our next steps."

4. Go Over: To review or discuss in detail.

• Example 1: "Let's go over the project timeline to ensure we're on track."

• Example 2: "I'll go over the main points of the report."

• Example 3: "We need to go over the changes in the marketing strategy."

5. Call Off: To cancel or terminate a planned event or activity.

• Example 1: "Due to bad weather, we had to call off the outdoor team-building activity."

• Example 2: "The manager decided to call off the meeting because of an urgent matter."

• Example 3: "The project launch was called off due to unforeseen issues."

6. Bring Forward: To reschedule something to an earlier date or time.

• Example 1: "Can we bring the deadline for this project forward by a week?"

• Example 2: "The meeting was brought forward to accommodate everyone's schedule."

• Example 3: "Let's bring the annual review meeting forward to next month."

7. Push Back: To reschedule something to a later date or time.

• Example 1: "The product launch was pushed back due to production delays."

• Example 2: "We had to push back the training session to next week."

• Example 3: "Let's push back the deadline for the final draft."

8. Look Into: To investigate or examine a matter.

• Example 1: "We need to look into the customer complaints about our service."

• Example 2: "The IT team will look into the technical issues reported by users."

• Example 3: "Management wants us to look into cost-cutting measures."

9. Draw Up: To create or prepare a document, plan, or proposal.

• Example 1: "I will draw up a project plan for our upcoming campaign."

• Example 2: "The legal team will draw up a contract for the new partnership."

• Example 3: "Let's draw up a budget proposal for the next fiscal year."

10. Deal With: to conduct or handle business-related activities, negotiations, or interactions with clients, partners, or other parties.

• Example 1: "Our company has a dedicated team that deals with supplier relationships and ensures timely deliveries."

• Example 2: "The department head is responsible for dealing with strategic alliances and partnership agreements."

• Example 3: "How should we deal with the increased competition in the market?"

11. Bring Up: To introduce or mention a topic for discussion.

• Example 1: "I'd like to bring up the issue of employee morale."

• Example 2: "During the meeting, she brought up a potential collaboration opportunity."

• Example 3: "We should bring up the budget constraints in today's discussion."

12. Follow Up: To continue or take further action on something discussed or initiated.

• Example 1: "After the meeting, we need to follow up on the action items."

• Example 2: "I will follow up with the client to confirm the project details."

• Example 3: "Let's follow up on the progress of the marketing campaign next week."

13. In Regard To: Regarding or concerning a particular matter.

• Example 1: "In regard to the new policies, we need to provide feedback."

• Example 2: "I wanted to discuss the changes in the project plan in regard to the client's request."

• Example 3: "We'll send an email in regard to the upcoming team building event."

14. Run Out: To deplete the supply of something so that it is no longer available.

• Example 1: "We ran out of coffee in the break room, so please restock it."

• Example 2: "We've almost run out of the materials needed for the project."

• Example 3: "The printer ran out of paper, so we can't print more copies."

15. Wind Up: To conclude or finish something.

• Example 1: "Let's wind up the meeting with a summary of our key decisions."

• Example 2: "We need to wind up this project by the end of the month."

• Example 3: "After discussing all the issues, we can wind up the negotiation."

Story

Below will be a small paragraph with the phrasal verbs above , and after a further break down in regards to each phrasal verb.

Hello everyone, and welcome to the meeting.

• Let's start off by introducing ourselves before getting into today’s agenda. Please feel free to jot down some notes as we will be going over some important changes that are being implemented.

• Unfortunately, the meeting with the new client has been called off, and the deadline for our project has been brought forward.

• Thankfully, the deadline for the second project has been pushed back, giving us more time to look into alternative options.

• We are currently in the process of drawing up the contract for our client in Canada, and they have been a pleasure to deal with.

• I would like to bring up last week's meeting as well.

• Jason, have you followed up with the client in regard to the contract that we drew up?

• Time is running out. Before we wind up the meeting, are there any questions?

Break Down

1. Start Off: "Let's start off by introducing ourselves..." - You initiated the meeting with introductions.

2. Jot Down: "Please feel free to jot down some notes..." - You encouraged participants to take notes during the meeting.

3. Call Off: "Unfortunately, the meeting with the new client has been called off..." - The planned meeting with the client has been canceled.

4. Bring Forward: "...and the deadline for our project has been brought forward." - The project deadline has been rescheduled to an earlier date.

5. Push Back: "Thankfully, the deadline for the second project has been pushed back..." - The deadline for the second project has been rescheduled to a later date.

6. Look Into: "...giving us more time to look into alternative options." - You have time to investigate or explore other possibilities.

7. Draw Up: "We are currently drawing up the contract for our client in Canada..." - You are preparing the contract for the Canadian client.

8. Deal With: "They are a pleasure to deal with." - The Canadian client is pleasant to work with.

9. Bring Up: "I would like to bring up last week's meeting as well." - You want to discuss or mention the previous week's meeting.

10. Follow Up: "Jason, have you followed up with the client in regard to the contract that we drew up?" - You're asking if Jason has taken further action or continued the communication with the client regarding the contract.

11. In Regard To: "In regard to the contract that we drew up..." - You're specifying that the topic of discussion is related to the contract.

12. Run Out: "Time is running out before we wind up the meeting..." - You have limited time remaining before concluding the meeting.

13. Wind Up: "...are there any questions?" - You are reaching the end of the meeting and are asking if there are any final inquiries.