If you work in an English-speaking environment, you might hear these common phrasal verbs used in business situations!

Business English Phrasal Verbs

To draw up an agreement, a contract, a list, etc. means to compose the document and put it in written form.

To get ahead means to be successful in your career or life; to make more progress than others

To burn out means to work too hard, so that you become completely stressed and exhausted. The noun form, burnout, is also used.

If something doesn’t measure up; it means it is not satisfactory; it doesn’t compare well with the standards.

To zero in on something means to focus closely on it.

If an employee is laid off, he/she loses her job; the company terminates their employment.

To pencil in an appointment means to set the appointment, but not confirm it as final.

If a company, program, factory, etc. closes down, it means it stops operating.

To run something by/past someone means to show an idea or proposal to that person and ask for their approval or feedback.

To sign off on something means to give official approval for it.