| branch out | expand | We need to branch out into new markets. |
| break into | enter (with effort or force) | It is difficult to break into the American market. |
| carry on | continue | John carried on working after the shop closed. |
| close down | stop operating | The company had to close down because of financial problems. |
| look forward to | anticipate with pleasure | I look forward to meeting you next week. |
| note down | write | Note down the address so you don’t forget. |
| step down | resign or leave (a position/job) | The manager stepped down for family reasons. |
| take off | rise quickly | Sales took off last quarter. |
| take up | occupy or fill (time) | The meeting will take up the morning. |
| weigh up | consider | I will weigh up the advantages and disadvantages. |
| back up | make a copy of | Back up your computer files before you leave. |
| carry out | perform or conduct | We plan to carry out a customer survey next month. |
| come up | happen or arise | Something has come up, so I can’t come to the meeting. |
| get on | make progress | How did you get on with the report yesterday? |
| keep up with | follow | Do you keep up with the financial news? |
| set up | start (a business) | Kate is setting up a business as a translator. |
| go through | experience | The company is going through a difficult time. |
| find out | discover or obtain (information) | Can you find out the sales figures for last month? |
| call off | cancel | The conference was called off because there was a problem with the venue. |
| call back | return a phone call | Can you call back later? |
| deal with | handle (a problem) | I deal with customer complaints. |
| drop in | visit | I will drop in tomorrow morning. |
| fill out | complete (a form) | Please fill out this form. |
| hold on | wait | Can you hold on, please? |
| join in | participate | Please join in and share your ideas. |
| lay off | fire (staff) | We have to lay off 20 people because of the financial crisis. |
| put back | delay or postpone | The meeting has been put back until next week. |
| run out of | have no more of something | The printer has run out of ink. |
| sort out | organise or fix | I need to sort out my travel plans. |
| take on | employ (staff) | The business is growing, so we need to take on more staff. |