Money is a very important part of every business. Whether you work in a small shop or a large office, you need to understand how companies manage their cash. Talking about budgets, costs, and profits can feel difficult, but using the right phrasal verbs makes these conversations much easier.
When you speak about finance, you want to sound careful and professional. These phrases will help you explain where money is going and how your team can save it. This guide will show you the most common phrasal verbs for finance so you can participate in budget meetings and understand financial reports with confidence.
Quick Summary: Top Phrasal Verbs for Finance
| Phrasal Verb | Finance Context | Example Sentence |
| Draw up | Creating a plan or contract | “We need to draw up the budget.” |
| Cut back | Reducing spending | “We must cut back on travel costs.” |
| Pay off | Finishing a debt payment | “We will pay off the loan in July.” |
| Add up | Calculating the total | “These numbers do not add up.” |
| Set aside | Saving money for a goal | “Let’s set aside money for marketing.” |
| Write off | Accepting a loss of money | “The bank will write off the debt.” |
1: Planning the Budget
At the start of the year, managers must decide how to spend the company’s money.
Draw up (To create): Use this when you are making a formal document or a list.
Example: “The finance team is drawing up the new budget right now.”
Set aside (To save for later): This means to keep money for a specific purpose in the future.
Example: “We should set aside $5,000 for new computers.”
2: Spending and Saving Money
Companies always want to be careful with their cash.
Cut back (To reduce): This is used when you need to spend less money because the budget is small.
Example: “To save money, we must cut back on expensive office snacks.”
Run out (To have no more): Use this when you have used all the money in your budget.
Example: “We cannot buy more paper because we ran out of money.”
3: Managing Debts and Payments
Managing payments is is a regular task at work and in customer service. These verbs describe paying for things.
Pay off (To finish a debt): Use this when you pay the full amount of money that you borrowed.
Example: “It took three years to pay off the office equipment.”
Settle up (To pay what you owe): A friendly way to say you are paying a bill or a person.
Example: “If you buy the lunch today, I will settle up with you tomorrow.”
If you are traveling and need to pay for a hotel, review our business travel guide for more payment tips.
4: Financial Results
After you calculate the numbers, you may need to share the results. This is often done during business presentations.
Add up (To calculate/To make sense): * Meaning 1: “The accountant is adding up the total costs.”
Meaning 2: “Something is wrong. These numbers don’t add up (they don’t make sense).”
Write off (To accept a loss): This is used when you know you will never get the money back.
Example: “The customer went out of business, so we must write off the unpaid bill.”
How to Practice Finance English
- Check your Receipt: Look at your personal spending and practice saying “I add up my costs every week.”
- Plan a Trip: Imagine a business trip and decide how much money to set aside.
- Take a Quiz: Visit our online quizzes to test your general and business English.
Conclusion
Managing money is a key skill for your career. By using phrasal verbs for finance and budgeting, you can explain costs and plans clearly. Whether you are drawing up a budget or cutting back on spending, these phrases will help you become a clear communicator in your office.
