Business English Phrasal Verbs: Free ESL Vocabulary Exercise 1

💬 Useful phrases
“follow up on” — to check the progress of something previously discussed or initiated
“carry out” — to perform or complete a task or plan
“take on” — to accept or begin a new responsibility, task, or challenge
“bring up” — to introduce a topic or issue for discussion in a meeting or conversation
“put forward” — to suggest or propose an idea for consideration
“wrap up” — to conclude or finish a meeting, project, or activity
“break down” — to analyze something in detail, or to stop functioning
“set up” — to establish, organize, or prepare something for operation

1. We __________________________ up with a new structure. = We developed/created a new structure.

came brought gave

Correct answer: came — Come up with = develop/produce an idea.

2. We have to __________________________ out ( = develop) a better way to communicate with our customers.

figure come give

Correct answer: figure — Figure out = find a solution or method.

3. They cut __________________________ ( = eliminated) the middleman and started providing this service themselves.

off up out

Correct answer: out — Cut out = eliminate/remove.

4. Tom found a way to __________________________ ( = bypass/eliminate) this problem.

get down get around get up

Correct answer: get around — Get around = bypass/avoid.

6. We need to __________________________ ( = examine/review) these reports before 3:00 PM.

go through get around give off

Correct answer: go through — Go through = examine/review in detail.

7. We need to _________________ ( = schedule/arrange) an interview for Friday.

set up take off save up

Correct answer: set up — Set up = arrange/organize.

8. The meeting has been __________________________ off ( = cancelled).

made talked called

Correct answer: called — Call off = cancel.

9. The president has called __________________________ ( = requested) sweeping changes in the way we do business.

up for around

Correct answer: for — Call for = request/demand.

10. I knew they'd __________________________ to our way of thinking. = I knew that they would eventually accept our way of thinking.

get up come around feel out

Correct answer: come around — Come around = change your opinion to agree with someone.

Phrasal verbs in Business English 1