Communicating
collocations with phrasal verbs
working life
new employment
units 13 and 14
100

says good things about someone

speaks very highly of someone

100

start work in an official position

take up office

100


dismiss staff because there is no work for them to do


lay off staff

100

this collocation means meeting the requirements and qualifications outlined for a specific job or role.

Fit a job description

100


everyone knows



It is common knowledge


200

state your purpose

state your aim

200

punish very severely

come down heavily on someone

200


work for several different organisations rather than working full-time for one organisation


go freelance

200

this collocation refers to a challenging or intimidating job or assignment that may seem difficult to accomplish.

a daunting task

200


an unpleasant feeling of doubt that will not go away



a nagging doubt


300

Provide a detailed explanation or description of something

give an account of something

300

means to do something to become hungry

work up an appetite

300


 make a special position for oneself


carve a niche for oneself

300


gone on strike



taken industrial action


300


bring advantages


pay dividends

400


transfer knowledge


impart knowledge to someone

400

continue to maintain a belief

adhere to principles/beliefs/ideas

400


system for rapid training and promotion of talented staff


fast-track scheme

400



completing tasks as part of one's duties



run errands

400


make sure the amount spent is not more than the amount earned


balance the books

500


make something secret known


divulge sources/secret

500

to allocate some time for someone

free up some time

500


ones attitude or mood changes


have a change of heart

500


take a day off work pretending to be sick



throw a sickie


500



to take actions when a company is going bankrupt


calling in the receivers