Level: C1 | Topic: Phrasal Verbs for Meetings
At C1 level, phrasal verbs carry subtle distinctions in meaning and tone. Here are 8 advanced phrasal verbs used in formal business meetings — for justifying positions, driving change, presenting arguments, and managing difficult discussions.
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| account for | to explain or give a satisfactory reason for something | Can you account for the discrepancy in the Q3 figures? |
| bring about | to cause something to happen, especially a significant change | The new strategy is designed to bring about lasting change. |
| build up to | to approach a significant point gradually or carefully | He spent twenty minutes building up to his main proposal. |
| cut across | to affect or apply to several different groups or areas at once | This issue cuts across all departments. |
| follow through on | to complete an action that was promised or started | We need to follow through on the commitments made last quarter. |
| gloss over | to deliberately avoid giving proper attention to a problem | The report glosses over the risks associated with the merger. |
| set out | to explain or present something clearly and systematically | She set out the case for restructuring in three clear stages. |
| stand by | to continue to support a decision or statement despite criticism | The board is standing by its original position. |
Read each sentence. Is it true or false?
1. To gloss over a problem means to examine it thoroughly.
2. To account for something means to provide an explanation for it.
3. To follow through on a commitment means to abandon it.
4. To cut across departments means to affect several areas at once.
5. To bring about change means to cause it to happen.
6. To stand by a decision means to withdraw it under pressure.
7. To set out a proposal means to present it clearly.
8. To build up to a point means to approach it gradually.
1. The CFO was asked to _____ the unexpected variance in costs.
2. The new leadership team hopes to _____ a shift in company culture.
3. She spent the first ten minutes _____ her central argument.
4. This regulatory challenge _____ every team in the organisation.
5. We must _____ the promises we made to our stakeholders last year.
6. The presenter appeared to _____ the financial risks in her summary.
7. He _____ the rationale for the proposed merger in four clear stages.
8. Despite fierce criticism, the committee chose to _____ its decision.
Click a phrasal verb then click its matching meaning.
1. The summary seemed to __ several critical compliance concerns.
2. This initiative aims to __ a fundamental shift in how we work.
3. The skills shortage __ engineering, sales, and operations alike.
4. After a lengthy preamble, he finally __ his proposal.
5. The director __ the new governance framework in detail.
6. The audit team could not __ the missing funds.
7. The chair made clear the board would __ its original ruling.
8. It is essential that we __ the commitments in the action plan.
Click the words to build the correct sentence.
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Click a phrasal verb, then click the correct column.
Fill in the missing phrasal verbs.