- 1. Carry out
- 2. Take over
- 3. Take on
- 4. Lay off
- 5. Knuckle down
- 6. Hand in
- 7. Burn out
- 8. Knock off
- 9. Call off
- 10. Slack off
- Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the meaning of ‘carry out’?
- When do companies typically ‘take over’?
- What does it mean to ‘lay off’ employees?
- What does the phrasal verb ‘knuckle down’ imply?
- What is a common consequence of ‘burning out’?

How familiar are you with English phrasal verbs related to work? If you’re looking to enhance your speech and enrich your vocabulary with practical verbs, you’re in the perfect spot! Let’s dive in and explore these versatile expressions together!
Today we will look at 10 phrasal verbs in English related to the theme “work”.
1. Carry out

Meaning: to perform work, to do a job
Example: The building work was carried out by a local contractor.
2. Take over
Definition: To take on responsibility or assume control, often seen when one company integrates another into its operations. For instance, Toshiba is acquiring a smaller company.
3. Take on

Meaning: to accept new employees; to hire
Example:: We’re taking on new staff at the moment.
4. Lay off
Meaning: To terminate employees’ positions; in the US, this is commonly referred to as “firing,” while in the UK, it’s known as “sacking.” For instance, they were forced to lay off several workers.
5. Knuckle down
Meaning: to stop being distracted and to focus on work
Example: It’s time we knuckled down.
6. Hand in
Meaning: to submit, to deliver work;
Example: He’s already handed in his report.
7. Burn out

Meaning: to become exhausted from work
Example: I’m burned out from work stress.
8. Knock off
Meaning: to end the work day
Example: Let’s knock off early tonight.
9. Call off
business men phonecall
Meaning: to cancel an event
Example: She’s just called off the meeting.
10. Slack off

Meaning: to work with less energy; to be lazy
Example: Workers usually slack off on Fridays.
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We look forward to your next visit! Wishing you the best of luck on your English learning journey, whether you choose to work with a personal tutor or join our LingualNeeds Business English training for employees!
Bye-bye for now!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the meaning of ‘carry out’?
To perform work, to do a job.
When do companies typically ‘take over’?
When one company assumes control or responsibility for another company’s operations.
What does it mean to ‘lay off’ employees?
To terminate employees’ positions, commonly referred to as ‘firing’ in the US.
What does the phrasal verb ‘knuckle down’ imply?
To stop being distracted and to focus on work.
What is a common consequence of ‘burning out’?
To become exhausted from work.







