Work & Office 2 — Phrasal Verbs
Work · 8 phrasal verbs · Level B1
take on
Meaning: to accept work or responsibility / to hire
take ON transitive inseparable — the object stays after the whole verb
Example: Don't take on more than you can finish.
In conversation: The company is taking on five new engineers.
Common partners: take on a project · take on new staff
⚠️ Common mistake: Two main meanings — accept (work) and hire (people). Both common at work.
A Can you take on this client?
B Yes, my schedule has room.
lay off
Meaning: to stop employing people because there is not enough work
lay OFF transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Companies lay off workers when business is slow.
In conversation: They may lay off staff this winter.
Common partners: lay off workers · get laid off
⚠️ Common mistake: Lay off ≠ fire: lay off = no work available; fire = the person did something wrong.
A Did the plant lay off many people?
B About thirty. Times are hard.
hand over
Meaning: to give control or responsibility to someone else
hand O-ver transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: She handed over the project to her deputy.
In conversation: Hand over the keys when you leave.
Common partners: hand over control · hand over the keys
⚠️ Common mistake: Hand over TO someone: handed the report over to the director.
A Hand over your badge, please.
B Here — my last day feels strange.
step down
Meaning: to leave an important job or position
step DOWN intransitive intransitive — no object
Example: The CEO plans to step down after ten years.
In conversation: He stepped down as team captain.
Common partners: step down as CEO · step down from a role
⚠️ Common mistake: Step down FROM a role / AS a title: stepped down as manager.
A The director stepped down today.
B Who takes her place?
fill in
Meaning: to do someone's job while they are away
fill IN intransitive (for + person) inseparable — the object stays after the whole verb
Example: Can you fill in for me on Friday?
In conversation: She filled in while the manager was sick.
Common partners: fill in for a colleague · fill in a form (write information)
⚠️ Common mistake: Fill in A FORM means write the information (very common too!) — context decides.
A Fill in for me tomorrow?
B Sure — send me your task list.
call in
Meaning: to phone your workplace / ask someone to come and help
call IN intransitive & transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: If you are ill, call in before eight in the morning.
In conversation: We called in an expert to fix the system.
Common partners: call in sick · call in a specialist
⚠️ Common mistake: Call in sick = phone work to say you're ill. Call in an expert = ask them to come.
A I might call in sick tomorrow.
B You do look terrible. Rest.
wrap up
Meaning: to finish something completely
wrap UP transitive separable — a pronoun goes in the middle of the verb
Example: Let's wrap up the meeting by three.
In conversation: She wrapped up the report before lunch.
Common partners: wrap up a meeting · wrap up by Friday
⚠️ Common mistake: Wrap up a GIFT uses paper; wrap up a MEETING means finish it — same verb, two worlds.
A Let's wrap up — it's almost five.
B One last question, then we finish.
follow through
Meaning: to complete what you promised or started
FOL-low THROUGH intransitive (on/with + object) inseparable — the object stays after the whole verb
Example: He promises a lot but does not follow through.
In conversation: Follow through on your plan and you'll succeed.
Common partners: follow through on promises · follow through with the plan
⚠️ Common mistake: Follow through ≠ follow up: follow up = check later; follow through = finish the thing itself.
A Did he follow through on the refund?
B Yes — the money arrived Tuesday.
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