Phrasal Verbs Related to Work

Work Phrasal Verbs in English: Learn 10 Useful Expressions for the Workplace

Do you find it difficult to learn phrasal verbs? … we will look at the meanings of 10 phrasal verbs related to work.

Learning phrasal verbs can be challenging, especially those used in everyday work situations. In this lesson, you’ll learn 10 common phrasal verbs related to work — from burn out and lay off to take on and carry out — with clear meanings and example sentences to help you sound more natural at work.

Burn out

Meaning: to work so hard that you become exhausted or ill.

• I told him many times not to work so hard, because he would burn himself out.
• Tom was almost burned out by the age of 35. 

Call off

Meaning: to stop an activity, to cancel something.

• The company called off their operations in the war-affected area.
• The strike of the factory workers was called off because of the bad weather.

Carry out

Meaning: to complete a task.

• The Minister appointed a delegate to carry out the aid programme for poor children in the country.
• More research will be carried out before the book is published.

 

Keep up with

Meaning: to be updated, to stay equal with others.

• Lawyers have to keep up with the new laws.
• The company is always trying to keep up with the latest technology.

Knock off

Meaning: to stop working, to end work for the day.

• We usually finish work at 5, but today we’re knocking off later because of the meeting.
• There is no one at the office because they knocked off early.

Knuckle down

Meaning: to start working in a serious and focused manner, to work without distractions.

• The deadline is near, so we have to knuckle down. There is no time to waste.
• It’s about time you knuckle down and finally finish that project.

Lay off

Meaning: to stop employing someone, to make someone redundant.

• Our company laid off 50 employees last week because there is no work for them.
• If the crisis persists, we’ll be forced to lay off more people, as we won’t have sufficient funds to pay them.

Put off

Meaning:  to postpone something, such as a meeting, to delay.

• Since we can’t reach a decision today, I suggest we put off the meeting until next week.
• You know what they say: never put off till tomorrow what you can do today. So, get back to work!

Take on

Meaning: to hire someone.

• Our company is taking on some new staff at the moment. Do you want to apply for work?
• We are thinking about taking on someone to care for our grandmother. She could use some help in the house.

Take over

Meaning: to start to control something such as a business or company.

• After Mr Bradley retired, his son took over the business.
• Simon took over as a restaurant manager only last week.

Which of these phrasal verbs do you use at work? Tell us in the comments or learn more in our lesson: 20 Business English Idioms 

Do the quiz to perfect your knowledge:

 

 

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