The Language of Work & Effort
📘 Phrasal Verb Series – Think in English (Part 4)
🌿 The Language of Work & Effort
“In English, work is not pressure — it’s movement toward purpose.” 🌱
1️⃣ Carry out – To turn plan into action.
To carry out means to lift an idea and make it walk — the bridge from thought to reality.
🪶 Example:
- “The team carried out the project successfully.”
- “We need to carry out more research before deciding.”
→ 생각이 현실이 되는 순간, 일은 생명을 얻는다.
💬 “carry out”은 생각을 움직임으로 옮기는 동사입니다.
2️⃣ Set up – To prepare the ground for growth.
To set up is not just to start — it’s to make space where something can begin.
🪶 Example:
- “They set up a new branch in New York.”
- “Let’s set up a meeting for tomorrow.”
→ 시작은 준비의 예술이다.
💬 “set up”은 ‘시작’이 아니라, 새로운 가능성을 위한 자리 만들기예요.
3️⃣ Take over – To step into responsibility.
When you take over, you don’t dominate — you continue what someone else began.
🪶 Example:
- “She took over her father’s business.”
- “After the manager left, John took over the role.”
→ 이어받는 건 권력이 아니라 책임이다.
💬 “take over”는 지배가 아니라, 이어받는 책임의 언어예요.
4️⃣ Fill out – To complete the shape.
To fill out is to give details to the outline — to make what’s empty meaningful.
🪶 Example:
- “Please fill out this form carefully.”
- “She filled out the survey online.”
→ 빈칸을 채우는 건 단순한 문장이 아니라 생각의 흔적.
💬 “fill out”은 빈칸에 생각을 채우는 행위입니다.
5️⃣ Back up – To support from behind.
When you back up someone, you don’t stand out — you stand behind with strength.
🪶 Example:
- “I’ll back you up no matter what happens.”
- “The data is backed up every night.”
→ 보이지 않는 곳에서 지탱하는 신뢰의 힘.
💬 “back up”은 뒤에서 받쳐주는 조용한 힘이에요.
6️⃣ Take on – To accept a challenge with courage.
To take on means to open your arms to difficulty — not because it’s easy, but because it matters.
🪶 Example:
- “She took on the role of team leader.”
- “I’m ready to take on a new challenge.”
→ 어려움을 껴안는 건, 의미를 선택하는 용기다.
💬 “take on”은 부담이 아닌, 의미 있는 싸움을 택하는 용기입니다.
7️⃣ Keep up – To stay in motion with effort.
To keep up is not competition — it’s consistency in motion.
🪶 Example:
- “Keep up the good work!”
- “He walks so fast I can’t keep up with him.”
→ 뒤처지지 않기보다, 꾸준히 흐르는 리듬의 지속.
💬 “keep up”은 뒤처지지 않기 위해서가 아니라, 지속함으로 나아가는 표현이에요.
8️⃣ Turn in – To complete and release.
When you turn in a report, you close a chapter.
It’s the calm of finishing what you’ve started.
🪶 Example:
- “I turned in my report yesterday.”
- “Students must turn in their homework by Friday.”
→ 노력의 끝은 완성이 아니라 ‘놓아주는 순간’.
💬 “turn in”은 제출이 아니라, 노력의 마지막 점을 찍는 행위입니다.
9️⃣ Work out – To strengthen by repetition.
To work out isn’t only exercise — it’s training life itself to respond with resilience.
🪶 Example:
- “Everything will work out fine.”
- “He works out at the gym every morning.”
→ 훈련은 몸만이 아니라, 인생의 회복력을 세운다.
💬 “work out”은 단련이 아니라, 반복 속에서 자신을 단단히 세우는 과정이에요.
🔟 Show up – To be present, fully.
To show up means more than arriving — it means choosing to be there, body and mind.
🪶 Example:
- “She always shows up early for work.”
- “Sometimes, just showing up is enough.”
→ 존재하는 것은 말보다 큰 신호다.
💬 “show up”은 단순한 등장 아니라, 온 마음으로 자리하는 존재감이에요.
🌸 Closing Thought
“Effort in English isn’t about pressure —
it’s about purpose, patience, and quiet strength.” 🌿
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