Phrasal Verbs
Phase out
The company decided to phase out the outdated software and replace it with a more advanced system.
to gradually eliminate or reduce something over a period of time.
Have you experienced any products or technologies being phased out recently? How did it impact you?
In lieu of
He decided to donate to the charity in lieu of buying extravagant gifts.
instead of; in place of.
When was the last time you chose to do something in lieu of another option? What was the situation?
Breathe life into: to revive or bring vitality to something.
Example: The innovative design breathed life into the old building, turning it into a vibrant cultural space.
Can you think of a project or initiative that needed someone to breathe life into it? What was the outcome?
Grind to a halt: to gradually slow down and come to a complete stop.
Example: The traffic in the city center ground to a halt during rush hour.
Have you ever experienced a situation where plans or activities suddenly ground to a halt? What happened?
Rule out: to eliminate or exclude a possibility or option.
When making decisions, do you tend to rule out options quickly or carefully consider each one?
Settle into
It took some time, but eventually, she settled into her demanding new job.
to become familiar or comfortable with a new situation or environment.
What strategies do you use to settle into a new job or environment?
By virtue of
She obtained the position by virtue of her extensive experience in the field.
because of; due to the possession or exercise of a particular quality or attribute.
Can you think of a personal or professional achievement you attained by virtue of your skills or qualifications?
Elicit a response: to draw out or evoke a reaction or answer from someone.
Example: The provocative question in the interview elicited a thoughtful response from the candidate.
Describe a time when a question or statement elicited a surprising or unexpected response. What was the context?
Bite the bullet: to endure a painful or difficult situation with courage and resilience.
Example: Facing budget cuts, the team had to bite the bullet and find ways to improve efficiency.
Describe a challenging situation where you had to bite the bullet and persevere. What did you learn from the experience?
Catch on: to become popular or widely accepted.
Have you observed any recent trends or ideas that quickly caught on in your community or workplace?
Wear off
The effects of the pain medication began to wear off, and the discomfort returned.
to gradually diminish or disappear over time.
Can you think of situations where the initial excitement of an event or activity wore off quickly?
In tandem with
The research was conducted in tandem with experts from various disciplines.
in conjunction with; together with; simultaneously.
Share an experience where you had to work in tandem with colleagues from different departments. How did it go?
Harbor ill will: to secretly hold resentment or hostility towards someone.
Example: It's important to address conflicts openly rather than harbor ill will towards colleagues.
Have you ever harbored ill will towards someone and later regretted not addressing the issue sooner?
Through thick and thin: in good times and bad times; during both favorable and challenging circumstances.
Example: True friends stand by you through thick and thin, offering support no matter what.
Share a story about a friendship or relationship that endured through thick and thin. What made the bond so strong?
Tie in with: to be connected or related to something else.
Share an example of a movie or book where the plot ties in with a broader theme or message.
Opt for
After careful consideration, he decided to opt for a career change.
to choose or select a particular option or course of action.
Describe a significant decision you had to make recently where you had to opt for one choice over another.
To the detriment of
The constant focus on profits was to the detriment of employee morale.
causing harm or damage to; at the expense of.
How can an excessive focus on productivity sometimes be to the detriment of employee well-being?
Strike a chord with: to resonate emotionally or be in harmony with someone.
Example: The poignant lyrics of the song struck a chord with listeners, evoking a strong emotional response.
Share a book, movie, or piece of music that recently struck a chord with you. Why did it resonate so deeply?
Burn the midnight oil: to work late into the night; to stay up late working on a project or task.
Example: The team burned the midnight oil to meet the tight deadline for the project.
Describe a project or task that required you to burn the midnight oil. How did you manage your energy and productivity during those late hours?
On the pretext of: under the false claim or appearance of; using a false reason.
Example: She left the meeting on the pretext of having an urgent appointment.
Why do you think people sometimes use a pretext to avoid certain situations or responsibilities?
Draw on
The author drew on personal experiences to create a compelling narrative.
to utilize or make use of something, typically resources or experiences.
How do you draw on your past experiences when faced with challenges or decision-making?
At odds with
His views on the issue were at odds with the majority of the team.
in conflict or disagreement with; not in harmony with.
How do you navigate relationships when your values are at odds with someone close to you?
Bear the brunt of: to endure the worst part or the main impact of something negative.
Example: Small businesses often bear the brunt of economic downturns more than larger corporations.
In what ways do small businesses often bear the brunt of economic challenges more than larger corporations?
Spill the beans: to reveal a secret or disclose confidential information.
Example: She accidentally spilled the beans about the surprise party, ruining the element of surprise.
Have you ever accidentally spilled the beans about a surprise or secret? What was the reaction?
Read between the lines: to understand a hidden or implied meaning in addition to the literal meaning.
Example: When negotiating, it's essential to read between the lines to grasp the true intentions of the other party.
When was a time you had to read between the lines to understand someone's true intentions? What did you discover?