Do phrasal verbs amp you up?
You may think phrasal verbs are too informal for a business setting.
In actuality, we often note use extremely formal language at work.
Phrasal verbs are often the most appropriate and natural verb to use!
Today Aubrey and Michelle share phrasal verbs that will help you talk about motivation and drive in the workplace.
Are you amped up?
Aubrey asks Michelle if she has anything she has become lax about.
Michelle says she is lax about working out and eating healthy.
She starts off strong committing then she gets busy or lazy but the important thing is she tries again.
Aubrey says this happens to everyone but what matters is recommiting.
The inspiration for today’s episode was the roleplay for episode 2534.
One of the questions was “Did you vote?” and Lindsay changed it to “Who did you vote for?”
She pointed out in the episode that she had upped the question.
The term “upped” is native and natural along with the other phrases you’ll learn today.
#1: Upped
This means someone or something is escalated or intensified.
It may sound informal but can definitely be used at work.
Examples
- We upped our development timeline to release the update sooner.
- To retain top talent, the company upped its professional development budget for the upcoming fiscal year.
#2: Step it up
The term step it up is another way to say you’re increasing effort or intensity.
It can also mean you’re taking a higher position or taking on a bigger challenge.
Similar to “upped,” it means you are intensifying something like your efforts or focus.
Examples:
- The sales team stepped it up after the first quarter.
- After seeing the early results, the volunteers stepped it up and doubled their door-to-door outreach.
#3: Amp up
This means to get motivated or excited about something or someone.
You can also use this to refer to goals being improved or made bigger.
You will hear this in sports but it can also be used in the business world.
Examples:
- They amped up the goals for the second half of the year.
- The CEO amped us up with a motivating speech before the meeting.
#4: Cranked up
This can be used similarly to amped up, meaning you’re pushed to feel more motivated, energized, or excited.
It can also refer to increasing volume or intensity, such as turning something up or doing more of it.
You’ll often hear cranked up to describe someone doing more than usual or something being done at a higher level or volume.
Examples:
- We had to crank up production last week after a major retailer doubled their order at the last minute.
- When sales slowed, the marketing team cranked up their social media outreach to attract new clients.
Roleplay
Aubrey and Michelle share a roleplay using the phrases discussed in today’s episode.
This will give you different ways to use them in a conversation.
In this scenario, Aubrey and Michelle are meeting for a strategy check-in.
Aubrey: Hey Michelle, quick update. After the competitor’s announcement yesterday, we upped our development timeline. We need that feature ready two weeks earlier.
Michelle: Got it. I’ll need to crank up the testing schedule.
Aubrey: I also wanted to let you know that the sales team really stepped it up this morning. They’ve already booked three new demos.
Michelle: That’s awesome! I’m really excited about the energy for this project. Everyone seems pretty amped up.
Aubrey: Yes! Let’s keep the momentum going.
Takeaway
Workplace English isn’t only about sounding correct.
It’s about sounding natural and engaged.
Phrasal verbs like amp up, step it up, up, and crank up help you talk about motivation, effort, and progress the way native speakers do.
When you use these expressions, you show energy, momentum, and intention, whether you’re discussing goals, deadlines, or team performance.
Start noticing these phrases in meetings or emails, then try using one in your next work conversation.
Small vocabulary shifts like this can make your English more dynamic and natural.
Check our episode BE 513: How to Own Your Apology at Work to get better ways to express yourself in the workplace.
What makes you motivated to keep achieving your work goals?
Let us know in the comments below.
