Ever get an email that says “Let’s push back the call and follow up next week,” and feel a beat behind? In English-speaking offices, phrasal verbs are everywhere. Mastering them helps you sound natural, efficient, and confident at work.

In this post, you’ll learn high-impact phrasal verbs for scheduling, executing tasks, and making decisions. You’ll also get clear rules for separable vs. inseparable verbs, tone tips for emails, and plenty of practice.

What are phrasal verbs (at work)?

Phrasal verbs combine a base verb (like set, bring, look) with a short particle (up, in, on, off, over, etc.). Together, they often create a new meaning.

• set up = arrange/establish
• push back = delay
• bring forward = move to an earlier time
• follow up (with/on) = continue after an initial contact, check progress

You’ll hear them in emails, calls, stand-ups, and meetings.

Planning and scheduling

These are the verbs you’ll use to arrange and move meetings or deadlines:

• set up (a call/meeting/account): arrange or create
• push back (a meeting/deadline): delay
• bring forward (a meeting/deadline): move to an earlier time
• call off (a meeting/event): cancel
• pencil in (a tentative meeting): schedule temporarily

Use them to sound quick and clear in calendars and chats.

Due to a conflict, we had to the workshop by two weeks.

Email-ready examples

• “Could we set up a quick call tomorrow?”
• “Let’s push back the deadline to Friday.”
• “Can we bring the review forward to 2 p.m.?”
• “We’ll have to call off the client dinner due to weather.”
• “I’ll pencil you in for 3 p.m., but we can adjust.”

Executing tasks and following up

These verbs help you show progress and keep projects moving:

• carry out (a plan/task): perform/execute
• follow up with (a person) / on (a topic): check, continue, remind
• look into (a problem): investigate
• draw up (a contract/plan): prepare a formal document
• run (something) by (someone): ask for review/approval
• hand over (a project): transfer responsibility
• roll out (a feature/product): launch to users
• take over (a team/project/company): assume control/responsibility

Quick practice: object placement

Remember: separable verbs must split with pronouns (it/them). Inseparable verbs keep object after the particle.

Thanks for the feedback. I’ll with you tomorrow about the budget.

Decision-making and change

Use these to explain choices and shifts:

• turn down (an offer): reject
• figure out / work out (a solution): find/solve
• point out (an issue): highlight
• back up (a claim/file): support or make a copy
• break down (costs/data): divide into parts for clarity
• cut back on (spending): reduce
• lay off (staff): dismiss employees for economic reasons (sensitive)

I’ll follow to you up tomorrow. → I’ll follow up with you tomorrow. Use “follow up with (person)” or “follow up on (topic).” We will look it into this afternoon. → We will look into it this afternoon. “Look into” is inseparable. The object goes after the particle. He set up it yesterday. → He set it up yesterday. With pronouns, separable verbs must split: verb + pronoun + particle.

More natural lines you can use today

• “Could you run this by the client before we send it?”
• “Let’s break down the costs by region.”
• “We’ll need to cut back on travel this quarter.”
• “If they turn down the offer, we can work out a plan B.”
• “I’ll hand over the account when I return from leave.”

Mini-reference: quick pairs and contrasts

• bring forward vs. push back — earlier vs. later
• set up vs. call off — arrange vs. cancel
• draw up vs. run by — create vs. get approval/review
• roll out vs. take over — launch vs. assume control
• figure/work out vs. point out — solve vs. highlight a problem

When in doubt, try the plain verb first (arrange, delay, cancel), then choose a phrasal verb that matches the tone and context.

Wrap-up: what to watch for

• Meaning: Learn phrasal verbs in context (email lines, meeting phrases).
• Grammar: Know which are separable/inseparable and where pronouns go.
• Tone: Phrasal verbs are friendly and natural in most workplace messages; avoid very slangy ones in formal emails.

Keep a personal list of phrasal verbs you hear at work. Copy exact sentences you like and adapt them.

Final practice

Try writing two short emails:

1. Reschedule a meeting using “bring forward” or “push back.”
2. Ask a colleague to “draw up” a document and say you’ll “run it by” them.

Then say them out loud to feel the rhythm. You’ve got this—follow up with these phrases in your next meeting!