Business Moves — Phrasal Verbs
Business · 8 phrasal verbs · Level B1
branch out
Meaning: to start doing new kinds of business
branch OUT intransitive intransitive — no object
Example: Small bakeries often branch out into catering.
In conversation: She wants to branch out into design.
Common partners: branch out into new markets · branch out on your own
⚠️ Common mistake: Branch out INTO a field: branched out into podcasts.
A We should branch out into video.
B Agreed — the audience is there.
close down
Meaning: to close a business permanently
close DOWN intransitive & transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Small bookstores close down every year in this country.
In conversation: They closed down the factory in June.
Common partners: close down a shop · close down for good
⚠️ Common mistake: Close down = permanent. A store that closes at 9 pm just 'closes'.
A Did the diner close down?
B Yes — after forty years. Sad.
sell off
Meaning: to sell part of a company or things you own
sell OFF transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Airlines often sell off their older planes.
In conversation: He sold off his shares before retiring.
Common partners: sell off assets · sell off shares
⚠️ Common mistake: Sell off = sell PARTS or assets; sell out = everything gone (or betray your group).
A Did you hear? They plan to sell off the warehouses.
B Prices will be low — a good time to buy.
team up
Meaning: to work together with someone
team UP intransitive (with + person) inseparable — the object stays after the whole verb
Example: Team up with a designer for this project.
In conversation: The two companies teamed up to build the app.
Common partners: team up with a partner · team up on a project
⚠️ Common mistake: Team up WITH people; team up ON a project or FOR a goal.
A Let's team up on the presentation.
B Great — you do slides, I talk.
start up
Meaning: to begin a new company or project
start UP transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Many people start up a small business from home.
In conversation: They started up the project in March.
Common partners: start up a business · a startup (noun)
⚠️ Common mistake: The noun startup is one word: a tech startup.
A He started up a repair shop.
B With his brother — it's going well.
go under
Meaning: to fail (a business)
go UN-der intransitive intransitive — no object
Example: Many small restaurants go under in their first year.
In conversation: The company went under owing millions.
Common partners: go under in a recession · about to go under
⚠️ Common mistake: A business goes under; a person goes bankrupt. Similar idea, different grammar.
A They say the travel agency is about to go under.
B Online booking is killing it.
draw up
Meaning: to prepare a formal document or plan
draw UP transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Lawyers draw up the contract before anyone signs.
In conversation: Draw up a list of everything we need.
Common partners: draw up a contract · draw up a plan
⚠️ Common mistake: Draw up is for formal documents — contracts, plans, lists with care.
A Draw up the agreement tonight.
B I'll send it to legal first.
carry on
Meaning: to continue doing something
CAR-ry ON intransitive (with + activity) inseparable — the object stays after the whole verb
Example: Carry on with your work — don't stop for me.
In conversation: They carried on despite the rain.
Common partners: carry on working · carry on as normal
⚠️ Common mistake: Carry on WITH something / carry on DOING something: carry on reading.
A Carry on — you're doing great.
B Thanks, almost done.
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