10 Phrasal Verbs to Use at the Office

While it’s true that you can use (almost!) any phrasal verb in an office environment, here are 10 that I think are especially interesting AND easy to use!

Each phrasal verb is followed by the Spanish translation and some examples. At the end of this page, you’ll find a link to a quiz where you can put your new phrasal verbs to the test!! Good luck

1) STAND OUT (destacar)

• We intereviewed lots of candidates, but one girl really stood out.

• How can we make this product stand out on the shelves?

• I think I really stood out at the meeting – I was the only one under 50!

2) GO OVER (revisar/analisar o salirse del presupuesto)

• I’ll need to go over my emails to find the information.

• Can we start this meeting by going over any problems you had?

• We went over budget by more than €1 million.

3) CUT (SOMEONE) OFF (interrumpir)

• I’m sorry to cut you off, but we have to finish this meeting now!

• I tried to give my opinion but I was continously cut off by my colleagues.

4) LOOK INTO (investigar)

• Have you heard the rumours? – Yes, we’re looking into them.

• We looked into John’s idea, but it’s going to be too expensive.

5) BUMP INTO (SOMEONE) (encontrar por casualidad)

• I bumped into John in the cantine today. He said it’s his last day.

• It was really nice bumping into you today!

AN ALTERNATIVE WITH THE SAME MEANING: RUN INTO

6) SPEAK UP (hablar mas alto o dar su opinion)

• Sorry, could you speak up? I’m having trouble hearing you.

• If you have something to say, speak up – we’d like to hear it!

7) BURN OUT (agotarse)

• At this rate, I’m going to burn out at age 30!

• If you burn out now, you’ll never survive to get a promotion.

This word is also used as a noun: burnout

8) WARM UP (TO SOMEONE/SOMETHING) (empezar a apreciar o cambiar de idea sobre algo/alguien)

• I didn’t like my boss at first but I’m warming up to him.

• I’ve warmed up to the idea. I think it has potential.

9) PULL (SOMETHING) OFF (conseguir algo muy difícil/sacar adelante)

• I don’t know how he pulled off the campaign in so little time – amazing!

• I can’t believe it, but thanks to all our hard work, we pulled it off!

10) TURN OUT (terminar/resultar)

• We were all worried about the result but it turned out really well!

• Good luck! Let me know how it turns out!

NOW TEST YOURSELF WITH THIS QUIZ!