50 Business English Collocations You Need to Sound Like a Pro

In the world of business, the right phrases can make all the difference. But let’s be honest—sounding professional doesn’t mean you have to sound stiff or robotic. That’s why we’ve included natural dialogues in this article to show you exactly how these business collocations come to life in real conversations. You’ll see how they’re used in meetings, emails, or casual office chats.

Collocations for Decision-Making & Responsibility

First, let’s cover collocations that help you talk about decisions and responsibility.

1) Make a decision

• Jenny: We’ve been spinning our wheels all week. I’m honestly getting a little frustrated.
• Jacqueline: I know, right? It’s been exhausting. Are you sure we’re ready to make a decision, though?
• Jenny: I’m not 100% sure either. But I think it’s time to just bite the bullet. Let’s brief the dev team and move forward.
• Jacqueline: Alright, let’s lock it in and move on. Hopefully, we won’t regret it later.

Phrase	Meaning
Spinning our wheels	Not making progress, stuck doing the same thing without results.
Make a decision	Choose between options.
Brief	Give someone a short summary or explanation.
Dev team	Short for “development team,” the people who build software or products.
Lock it in	Make something final or official.

2) Reach a consensus

• Manager: Nina, we’ve heard everyone’s opinions—are we any closer to reaching a consensus?
• Nina: Not quite, but I think we’re getting there. We should be able to get everyone on the same page soon.
• Manager: I really hope we can wrap this up soon.

Phrase	Meaning
Reach a consensus	To get everyone to agree on something.
Get people on the same page	To agree or have a shared understanding.

3) Take responsibility

• Maya: I missed the deadline on this project. That’s on me. I’m so sorry.
• Team Lead: Hey, no worries. Thanks for owning that, Maya. We all make mistakes. Let’s figure out how to get back on track.
• Maya: I’ll send an updated plan with new deadlines by the end of the day. We won’t fall behind again.

Phrase	Meaning
Take responsibility	Accept the blame or accountability for something.
Owning something	Accept something as your fault or something you’re responsible for.
Get back on track	Return to the correct path or course of action.

4) Come to a conclusion

• Eli: We’ve reviewed all the customer feedback and performance data.
• Taylor: Yeah, I think we’re ready to come to a conclusion. Option B seems like the better choice.
• Eli: Agreed. It’s been a long process, but let’s go ahead and present it to the client tomorrow.

Phrase	Meaning
Come to a conclusion	To make a final decision or judgment.
Option B	The second choice or alternative.
Present	Share or give something (like a proposal) to others.

5) Bear the responsibility

• Sophie: If this project doesn’t go as planned, I’ll be the one to bear the responsibility, right?
• Manager: Yes, but don’t worry. We’ve got your back. The whole team is here to support you.
• Sophie: Thanks. I’ll make sure everything is perfect before we go ahead.

Phrase	Meaning
bear responsibility	Be the person accountable for something.
to have someone’s back	to support someone, especially in difficult situations
Pitch in	Contribute help or resources.
Rollout	The launch or release of a new product, project, or update.

6) Make a choice

• Tom: We’ve tested every variation at this point. I just feel like we’re dragging it out now.
• Lena: Yeah, it’s time to make a choice and move on. No more second-guessing.
• Tom: Alright, I’ll lock in the final design today. We’re going with it.

Phrase	Meaning
Make a choice	Decide between options.
Second-guessing	Doubting a decision after it’s made.
Drag something out	Making something last longer than it needs to.

7) Face a challenge

• Manager: If shipping is delayed again, we’re facing a real challenge. I’m starting to get worried.
• Josh: Yeah, we can’t afford another setback. Let’s start coming up with backup suppliers now, just in case.
• Manager: Good thinking. I’ll ask procurement to look into it. We need to be prepared.

Phrase	Meaning
Face a challenge	Deal with a difficult situation.
Setback	An obstacle or delay.
Procurement	The department or process of buying goods and services.

8) Accept the consequences

• Ava: If we skip QA, we’ll need to accept the consequences if something goes wrong. I’m not comfortable with that.
• Daniel: It’s not worth the risk. Let’s stick to the process and do it right, even if it takes longer.
• Ava: Alright, I’ll update the release schedule to reflect the extra time needed.

Phrase	Meaning
Accept the consequences	Acknowledge and take responsibility for the result of an action.
Stick to the process	Follow the established steps or procedures.
Release schedule	The planned timeline for launching or releasing something.

Collocations for Performance & Results

These collocations are perfect when you’re talking about productivity, outcomes, or team performance.

9) Meet a deadline

• Rachel: Do you think we’ll meet the deadline?
• Carlos: If we don’t hit any snags this week, yeah—we should be fine to wrap it up on time.
• Rachel: Great, I’ll update the team and let them know we’re still on track.

Phrase	Meaning
Meet a deadline	Finish a task or project by the set time.
Hit any snags	Run into problems or obstacles.
Wrap something up	Finish or complete something

10) Achieve a goal

• Manager: Congratulations! You hit your quarterly numbers early.
• Sasha: Thanks! It feels great to finally achieve that goal we set back in January. We’ve been working toward it for months!
• Manager: Well done, Sasha. Let’s keep up the momentum for next quarter!

Phrase	Meaning
Achieve a goal	Successfully reach or complete a target or objective.
Momentum	The energy or progress gained to keep moving forward.

11) Exceed expectations

• Liam: The client loved the design. They said we totally exceeded expectations.
• Emma: Seriously? That’s awesome! We should send the team a shout-out for their hard work.
• Liam: Absolutely. I’ll draft a message and send it out right now.

Phrase	Meaning
Exceed expectations	To do better than what was anticipated.
Shout-out	A public acknowledgment or praise.

12) Deliver results

• Boss: I don’t care how creative the campaign is—we need to deliver results.
• Team Lead: Got it. We’ll make sure to keep everything focused and data-driven so we can show solid results.
• Boss: Perfect. Let’s check in with the client in a week to review the impact.

Phrase	Meaning
Deliver results	Achieve desired outcomes or success.
Data-driven	Based on information or evidence from data.
Review the impact	Assess, evaluate, or analyze the effects or results of something

13) Fall short

• Mark: We tried to boost engagement, but the campaign kind of fell short.
• Jess: Yeah, I think we need a fresh approach next time. Maybe we could try a different angle.
• Mark: I agree. Let’s review the feedback and see where we can improve.

Phrase	Meaning
Fall short	Not meet expectations or desired results.
Review feedback	Look over comments or evaluations to improve.
Try a different angle	Approach a situation or problem from a new perspective

14) Set a target

• Vanessa: Have we set a target for Q3 yet?
• Haroon: Not yet—we’re still waiting on the final numbers from finance, but I’ll follow up.
• Vanessa: Alright, just make sure we have a target in place before the end of the month.

Phrase	Meaning
Set a target	Establish a specific goal or objective.
Follow up	Check in or take further action on something.
Have a target in place	Have a specific goal or objective clearly defined and established

15) Monitor progress

• Project Manager: I’ll create a shared dashboard so we can monitor progress in real time.
• Dev Lead: Perfect. That’ll help us catch delays before they become bigger issues.
• Project Manager: I’ll make sure everyone has access and understands how to update their tasks.

Phrase	Meaning
Monitor progress	Keep track of how tasks or projects are advancing.
Catch delays	Notice and address any slowdowns or setbacks early.
Dev Lead	Short for Development Lead, responsible for guiding developers

16) Improve performance

• HR Rep: These coaching sessions are really helping people improve their performance.
• Manager: I’ve definitely noticed that! Especially with the newer team members—they’re getting more confident.
• HR Rep: That’s great to hear. We’re planning to offer more sessions next quarter.

Phrase	Meaning
Improve performance	Enhance how well someone or a team is doing their job.
Newer team members	Employees who are new to the team or company.

17) Boost productivity

• Ava: We need to find a way to boost productivity without burning everyone out.
• Nate: Maybe we could try shorter sprints and clearer goals? That way, everyone stays focused without feeling overwhelmed.
• Ava: Sounds good. Let’s propose that in our next team meeting and see how it goes.

Phrase	Meaning
Boost productivity	Increase the amount of work or output.
Burning out	Becoming too tired or stressed from overworking.
Sprints	Short, time-boxed periods where a team works to complete a specific set of tasks or goals

18) Track results

• Sam: Are we tracking results from the latest campaign?
• Kim: Yep, analytics are already rolling in. Want me to send you the report once I finish reviewing it?
• Sam: Yes, please. I’ll need that for the next client meeting.

Phrase	Meaning
Track results	Keep an eye on the outcomes or progress of something.
Analytics	Data collected and analyzed to understand performance.

Collocations for Communication & Meetings

Use these to sound professional in team meetings, emails, or day-to-day conversations.

19) Hold a meeting

Noah: Should we just send an email, or hold a meeting?
Leila: I think we need a meeting. This topic’s a bit too important to handle over email.
Noah: Good point. I’ll send out the invite and include an agenda. Hopefully, we can keep it short and to the point.
Leila: Sounds good. Let’s make sure we’re all prepared to make it efficient.

Phrase	Meaning
Hold a meeting	Organize and lead a meeting.
Agenda	A list of topics to be discussed in a meeting.

20) Schedule a call

Anna: I’ll schedule a call with the client to go over the changes.
Ben: Sounds good. I think it’ll be easier to explain everything over the phone than via email.
Anna: Agreed. I’ll check their availability and confirm the time.
Ben: Perfect. Hopefully, we can wrap things up quickly.

Phrase	Meaning
Schedule a call	Arrange a time to have a phone conversation.
Availability	The time slots when someone is free.

21) Give a presentation

Ivy: Are you ready to give your presentation tomorrow?
Marcus: Almost there. Just finishing up the slides and reviewing my notes one more time.
Ivy: Sounds like you’re almost done. Let me know if you want a second pair of eyes before you present.
Marcus: Thanks! I’ll let you know if I need any help.

Phrase	Meaning
Give a presentation	To present information to a group.
Second pair of eyes	Someone who helps review your work.

22) Raise a concern

Manager: If anything doesn’t feel right, don’t hesitate to raise a concern.
Natalie: Actually, I do have one—I think we need to double-check the numbers in section two.
Manager: Good catch! I’ll review it and make sure it’s accurate before we finalize.
Natalie: Thanks. Better safe than sorry, right?

Phrase	Meaning
Raise a concern	Bring up a worry or issue.
Double-check	Verify something to make sure it’s correct.

23) Clarify a point

Toby: Sorry, can I clarify one point before we move on?
Ella: Of course—what’s unclear?
Toby: Just the timeline for the launch. I want to make sure we’re all aligned on the dates.
Ella: Got it. Let’s go over it again to avoid any confusion later.

Phrase	Meaning
Clarify a point	Explain something in more detail to make it clearer.
Aligned	In agreement or on the same page.

24) Address an issue

Laura: We need to address the issue with late deliveries before the next round of orders.
Tim: I agree. It’s been causing delays. I’ll set up a call with the logistics team.
Laura: Thanks. Let’s get an action plan in place so we can fix it ASAP.
Tim: I’ll make sure we have all the details by the end of the day.

Phrase	Meaning
Address an issue	Deal with or focus on a problem.
Action plan	A clear plan of steps to take to solve a problem.

25) Ask a question

Kelly: Is it okay if I ask a quick question before we wrap up?
James: Sure—go ahead.
Kelly: I’m just wondering if we need to adjust the budget for the marketing campaign.
James: That’s a good question. Let’s take a look at the numbers after the meeting.

Phrase	Meaning
Ask a question	Inquire or seek information.
Wrap up	Conclude or finish something.

26) Express an opinion

Amira: I just want to express my opinion here—I’m not sure this is the right time to launch.
Team Lead: Fair point. We might want to revisit the timeline.
Amira: Maybe we should push it to next quarter for better results.
Team Lead: That makes sense. Let’s discuss it in more detail tomorrow.

Phrase	Meaning
Express an opinion	Share your thoughts or feelings about something.
Revisit	Review or consider something again.

27) Share information

Victor: I’ll share that information with the team after this call.
Mina: Thanks. Everyone’s been waiting on that update.
Victor: No problem, I’ll make sure it’s clear and concise so there’s no confusion.
Mina: Perfect, we’ll be able to move forward faster once they have it.

Phrase	Meaning
Share information	Give others knowledge or details.
Clear and concise	Easy to understand and brief.

28) Take notes

Devon: Mind taking notes during the meeting?
Chris: Not at all—I’ll send them out afterward.
Devon: Awesome, that’ll help me keep track of everything we covered.
Chris: Sure thing. I’ll make sure I capture all the important points.

Phrase	Meaning
Take notes	Write down important information.
Keep track	Stay organized and updated on something.

Collocations for Planning & Strategy

These collocations are super useful when talking about long-term goals, next steps, or mapping out your work.

29) Develop a strategy

Tina: Before we jump in, we really need to develop a solid strategy.
Omar: Totally agree. Let’s make sure we have something clear that everyone can follow.
Tina: I’ll draft an initial version and we can refine it together in the next meeting. How’s that sound?
Omar: Perfect. That way, we can hit the ground running.

Phrase	Meaning
Develop a strategy	Create a detailed plan to achieve specific goals.
Refine	Improve or perfect something.
Hit the ground running	Start something immediately and with a lot of energy or focus

30) Set a goal

Natalie: We should set a goal for onboarding new users by the end of Q2.
Jason: I like that. How about aiming for 2,000 sign-ups?
Natalie: Sounds realistic. I’ll break down the plan to hit that target.
Jason: Great! Let’s get moving on this ASAP.

Phrase	Meaning
Set a goal	Decide on a specific target or aim.
Hit the target	Achieve the goal you set.

31) Create a plan

Linda: Do we have a plan for the rollout yet?
Aaron: Not quite, but I’ll create a plan this week and run it by the team.
Linda: Great. Let’s make sure it includes clear milestones and deadlines so we stay on track.
Aaron: Absolutely. I’ll get started on that right away.

Phrase	Meaning
Create a plan	Develop a detailed roadmap for a project.
Run it by	Show or discuss something with someone for their approval or input.
Stay on track	Continue progressing as planned without getting delayed or distracted

32) Outline steps

Eva: It’d be helpful if you could outline the next steps after today’s session.
Marco: Sure thing—I’ll send over a breakdown by the end of the day.
Eva: Awesome, that way we can all stay aligned and get started right away.
Marco: I’ll make sure it’s super clear for everyone.

Phrase	Meaning
Outline steps	List the actions or steps needed to move forward.
Breakdown	A detailed explanation of something.

33) Allocate resources

Dina: Do we have enough people on this project?
Ravi: We might need to allocate more resources if we want to stay on track.
Dina: Good point. Let’s check if we can pull anyone from the other teams temporarily.
Ravi: I’ll make some calls and see if we can free up some hands.

Phrase	Meaning
Allocate resources	Assign people, time, or money to different parts of a project.
Pull people	Temporarily move people from one task or project to another.
Free up some hands	Make people available to help with a task or project

34) Forecast growth

Leo: Can we forecast growth for the next two quarters based on this data?
Michelle: Yes, I’ll run the projections and share them in tomorrow’s meeting.
Leo: Perfect. I’d like to use that data for our upcoming budget planning.
Michelle: Sounds good. I’ll make sure everything is ready for you.

Phrase	Meaning
Forecast growth	Predict future growth or performance based on data.
Projections	Estimates or predictions based on current data.

35) Analyze data

Farah: Before we decide, let’s analyze the data more carefully.
Jake: Good idea. I’ll pull a deeper report from the analytics tool.
Farah: Great. We need to make sure we’re looking at the right metrics to make the best decision.
Jake: Got it! I’ll focus on the key performance indicators.

Phrase	Meaning
Analyze data	Review and study data to understand trends or make decisions.
Metrics	Measurements used to evaluate performance.

36) Identify priorities

Rosa: We’re juggling too many tasks right now.
Brian: Let’s pause for a sec and identify the top priorities for this week.
Rosa: Agreed. If we can focus on the most critical ones first, it’ll make everything else easier.
Brian: I’ll make sure to assign the most important tasks to the team.

Phrase	Meaning
Identify priorities	Determine which tasks are the most important to focus on.
Juggling tasks	Managing multiple tasks at once.

37) Map out a timeline

Zoe: When’s the deadline again?
Ali: Let’s map out a timeline so everyone knows what’s due and when.
Zoe: That’ll help us stay organized and ensure we don’t miss any key milestones.
Ali: I’ll create it and send it over to the team so they can add their input.

Phrase	Meaning
Map out a timeline	Create a schedule showing when things need to be done.
Milestones	Important points or goals in a project.

38) Align goals

Terry: We need to make sure the marketing and product teams align their goals for this project.
Sandra: I’ll set up a sync so we’re not working in different directions.
Terry: Perfect. And we should also establish shared KPIs to measure our progress.
Sandra: I’ll work with both teams to get that set up.

Phrase	Meaning
Align goals	Ensure that everyone’s objectives are in agreement.
KPI (Key Performance Indicator)	Measurable values that show how well a company or team is achieving their objectives.

Collocations for Management & Collaboration

These collocations are key when you’re managing teams, collaborating across departments, or handling daily operations.

39) Manage a team

Sophie: How’s it going managing a remote team?
Derek: Honestly, better than expected. The daily check-ins have really helped keep everyone on the same page.
Sophie: That’s great to hear! I bet it helps maintain some kind of connection with everyone.
Derek: Definitely. I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how well it’s worked out so far.

Phrase	Meaning
Manage a team	Oversee and lead a group of people to achieve goals.
Check-ins	Regular meetings or updates to track progress.

40) Lead a project

Alicia: I heard you’re going to lead the new project. Congrats!
Josh: Thanks! It’s a big one, but I’m excited to get started.
Alicia: I’m sure you’ll do great. Let me know if you need any help getting things off the ground.
Josh: I’ll definitely keep you in the loop. I appreciate it!

Phrase	Meaning
Lead a project	Take responsibility for managing and guiding a project to completion.
Get things off the ground	Start a project or initiative successfully.

41) Delegate tasks

Kevin: Don’t try to do it all yourself—delegate some of those tasks.
Maya: You’re right. I’ve been burning the candle at both ends. I’ll loop in Priya and Alex to help out.
Kevin: Perfect. That way, you can focus on the bigger picture.
Maya: Exactly, I’ll feel much better with a little help.

Phrase	Meaning
Delegate tasks	Assign tasks to others to share the workload.
Loop in	Involve someone in the conversation or task.
Burning the candle at both ends	Working too hard or pushing yourself too much.

42) Collaborate effectively

Lena: How’s the design team working with marketing?
Marcus: Much better now. We’ve found a way to collaborate effectively without stepping on each other’s toes.
Lena: That’s awesome. A little communication really does go a long way!
Marcus: Absolutely. It’s made a huge difference in how we approach projects together.

Phrase	Meaning
Collaborate effectively	Work well together with others to achieve a common goal.
Stepping on toes	Interfering with someone’s work or responsibilities.

43) Build trust

Emma: I think weekly one-on-ones really help build trust within the team.
Daniel: Agreed. People are way more open now than they were last quarter.
Emma: It’s been a game-changer for team morale too.
Daniel: Definitely, people feel more heard and supported.

Phrase	Meaning
Build trust	Develop a sense of reliability and mutual respect with others.
Game-changer	Something that has a major positive impact on a situation.

44) Resolve a conflict

Grace: There’s been tension between Sam and Nick lately.
Tyler: I noticed. I’ll step in and help them resolve the conflict before it affects the project.
Grace: Sounds good. It’s better to address it now before it grows into something bigger.
Tyler: Agreed. We can’t afford to let it drag on.

Phrase	Meaning
Resolve a conflict	Settle a disagreement or problem.
Step in	Intervene to help manage a situation.
Let something drag on	Allow something—usually unpleasant or unresolved—to continue for longer than it should

45) Provide feedback

Nina: Can I provide you with some quick feedback on the pitch deck?
Omar: Absolutely—appreciate you taking the time.
Nina: Of course! It looks great overall, just a few tweaks to tighten the message.
Omar: I’ll make those changes right away. Thanks for the input!

Phrase	Meaning
Provide feedback	Give your opinion or suggestions about something.
Tighten the message	Make the communication more clear and concise.
A few tweaks	Small changes or adjustments

46) Offer support

Taylor: It’s been a rough week—our numbers are slipping.
Alex: Don’t worry. Let’s regroup tomorrow, and I’ll offer whatever support you need.
Taylor: Thanks, that means a lot. I think a new strategy might help turn things around.
Alex: Definitely. We’ll figure out a plan to get back on track.

Phrase	Meaning
Offer support	Provide assistance or encouragement to someone.
Turn things around	Make a situation better or improve results.

47) Coordinate efforts

Holly: If we’re going to meet this deadline, we’ll need to coordinate efforts across teams.
Brian: I’ll schedule a cross-functional sync to get everyone aligned.
Holly: That’s perfect. Let’s make sure we’re all on the same page.
Brian: Agreed. I’ll make sure to send out an agenda to keep everyone focused.

Phrase	Meaning
Coordinate efforts	Organize and align actions across different groups.
Cross-functional sync	A meeting involving people from different departments or teams.

48) Foster collaboration

Jen: I’m trying to foster more collaboration between junior and senior team members.
Mike: Nice. Maybe we can launch a buddy system to make that happen.
Jen: That’s a great idea. It’ll help everyone feel more included and supported.
Mike: Exactly! It could really strengthen team bonds.

Phrase	Meaning
Foster collaboration	Encourage teamwork and cooperation.
Buddy system	Pairing people together to help them learn from each other.

49) Give direction

Ava: Can you give some direction on the next phase of the project?
Devon: Yeah, I’ll send a short summary after the call to clarify things.
Ava: That works—let’s make sure we’re all clear on the next steps before we proceed.
Devon: Absolutely. I’ll make sure everyone is on the same page.

Phrase	Meaning
Give direction	Provide guidance or instructions on what needs to be done.
Clarify things	Make something easier to understand.

50) Build a relationship

• Carlos: I’ve been trying to build a better relationship with the new client.
• Lily: That’s smart—those little check-ins really go a long way.
• Carlos: Exactly! I want them to feel like they’re our top priority.
• Lily: Well, it sounds like you’re doing all the right things.

Phrase	Meaning
Build a relationship	Establish a positive connection or rapport with someone.
Go a long way	Have a significant positive effect.

Putting It All Together

Business English isn’t just about using fancy words—it’s about sounding natural, clear, and confident in real situations. Through these dialogues and vocabulary notes, you’ve explored useful collocations that native speakers use all the time in meetings, emails, and teamwork.

From “mapping out a timeline” to “building trust” or “boosting productivity,” these phrases will help you communicate like a pro in an English-speaking business environment.

Keep practicing these expressions, use them in your daily conversations, and soon they’ll feel like second nature.