Corporate Moves — Phrasal Verbs
Corporate life · 8 phrasal verbs · Level C1
buy out
Meaning: to buy all of someone's share of a company
buy OUT transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: She bought out her partner in 2022.
In conversation: A larger chain may buy out the family business.
Common partners: buy out a partner · a buyout (noun)
⚠️ Common mistake: Buy out a PERSON = purchase their share so they leave: bought her out.
A He bought out his co-founder.
B Now he owns the company alone.
spin off
Meaning: to separate part of a company into a new company
spin OFF transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: The studio will spin off its streaming service.
In conversation: They spun off the games division last year.
Common partners: spin off a division · a spin-off (noun)
⚠️ Common mistake: A spin-off (noun) is also a TV show born from another show — same birth idea!
A The group spins off its bank arm.
B Investors like the focus.
scale back
Meaning: to reduce the size or amount of something
scale BACK transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Airlines scale back flights in winter.
In conversation: The city scaled back the festival budget.
Common partners: scale back production · scale back plans
⚠️ Common mistake: Scale back = reduce SIZE/SCOPE (its twin, scale up, means grow).
A We scale back the project this year.
B Smaller — but finished on time.
ramp up
Meaning: to increase production or activity sharply
ramp UP transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Factories ramp up production before the holidays.
In conversation: The team ramped up testing in March.
Common partners: ramp up production · ramp up efforts
⚠️ Common mistake: Ramp up suggests a steep, fast increase — not a gentle build up.
A Ramp up hiring this quarter.
B Fifty new roles — approved.
wind up
Meaning: to close a company or finish an activity
wind UP transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: They wound up the business after thirty years.
In conversation: Let's wind up the meeting with decisions.
Common partners: wind up a company · wind up in (end up in a place)
⚠️ Common mistake: Bonus meaning: wind up IN a place = end up there: He wound up in Chicago.
A Wind up the workshop by four.
B Final exercise, then certificates.
cash out
Meaning: to sell your investment and take the money
cash OUT intransitive & transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Founders often cash out after the big sale.
In conversation: He cashed out his shares at the peak.
Common partners: cash out shares · cash out big
⚠️ Common mistake: Cash out = exit WITH the money. Cash in = exchange/convert. Investors use both.
A She cashed out at the perfect time.
B Right before the crash — lucky.
write off
Meaning: to accept that money is lost / cancel a debt
write OFF transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Banks write off bad loans every year.
In conversation: The car was written off after the crash.
Common partners: write off a debt · write off as a loss
⚠️ Common mistake: Write off a PERSON/idea = dismiss them: Don't write him off — he may surprise you.
A The insurer wrote off the car.
B Too damaged to repair.
buy into
Meaning: to believe an idea / invest in a company
buy IN-to transitive inseparable — the object stays after the whole verb
Example: Investors buy into the plan when numbers are strong.
In conversation: I don't buy into the hype.
Common partners: buy into an idea · buy into a company
⚠️ Common mistake: Buy into an IDEA = believe it: She never bought into the fad.
A Do investors buy into the vision?
B The last pitch convinced half the room.
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