Let’s learn today some more phrasal verbs that are used in business contexts.

Our first phrasal verb is to carry something out. We usually carry out an assessment (fazer uma avaliação), a repairman can carry out some repairs (fazer alguns reparos), companies can carry out changes (fazer mudanças) and inspectors can carry out safety checks (fazer vistorias de segurança).

The next verb is to close down. We use close down when we say that a company finishes its activites for good (para sempre), it is not operating anymore. We can say that a company closed down its low-profit stores or that a company closed down in a loss.

When we say that a company needs to cut back or cut back on something, we mean that they are going to reduce the cost or numbers of something. Here are some examples:

The government must cut down on spending to reduce inflation.
The funding for this project has been cut down.
We need to cut back our spending but it is way too high.

Draw up. This verb means to prepare and write something, such as a business plan, guidelines, a list, or a contract. Some examples:

HR has drawn up a list of candidates they would like to interview.
Mark and Jim are drawing up the guidelines for the new project.
Ask the lawyers to draw up a new contract.

Our next verb is to level off. If a rate levels off it stops increasing or decreasing and stays at the same level. Some examples:

After the initial boom, sales growth is starting to level off.
The unemployment rate has leveled off in the last couple of months.
The slump in housing has finally leveled off.

Our last verb is to prop up. A prop is an object that keeps a structure from collapsing or falling down. To prop a company or an organization up is to help it by providing military or financial support.

Examples:

The government is not willing to prop up inefficient companies anymore.
They’re investing a lot of money to prop up failing business.
The City Hall has propped up the museum with annual grants.

That’s it for today, people! See you next time!