BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES

5. Business expressions

English has a lot of phrasal verbs – verbs that are combined with prepositions to form new verbs
with new meanings. Complete the sentences below with phrasal verbs. Choose a word from each
column to put in the spaces.

pin on
is out
put off
put off
pencil forward
draw up
look in
tied with
bear up
put through
come down
EXAMPLE: Good morning. Could you put me through to extension 253, please?

EXAMPLE: Good morning. Could you put me through to extension 253, please?

1. I’ve been trying to arrange a meeting with Mrs Tienworn for weeks but she’s a difficult
woman to ________ _______.
2. I’m afraid I can’t make this afternoon’s meeting. Something urgent has _____ _____.
3. Shall we _____ _____ next Tuesday? I’ll check that I’m free with my secretary and give
you a ring to confirm.
4. Tomorrow’s meeting ______ _____. Everyone seems to be too busy doing other things.
5. That’s settled then. I _____ _____ to seeing you on the 15th.
6. Are you sure it’s convenient? I know you’re very busy and I don’t want to _____ you
_____.
7. I think Mr Lee’s number has been changed. Could you _____ _____ me a moment and
I’ll find the new list.
8. We only have a few permanent staff but there are a lot of freelance designers and
consultants we can _____ _____ if we need ideas and advice.
9. She asked me to tell you she’ll be late. She’s _____ _____ in a meeting with a client.
10. There’s an emergency at the Manila office. You’ll have to _____ _____ your trip to the
States and fly out to the Philippines instead.