The phrasal verb "follow up" is prevalent in both informal and formal speech, though it tends to have more prominence in professional and formal contexts. In business, healthcare, and customer service, "follow up" is commonly used to refer to the act of maintaining communication after an initial meeting or contact to ensure continuity or address outstanding issues. It is frequently used in emails and formal correspondence to indicate that one is checking in for updates or next steps. Informally, it's used to imply checking back or pursuing further information about something previously discussed. The usage often involves ensuring that previous tasks or conversations lead to subsequent actions, emphasizing diligence and persistence. Additionally, "follow up" can also be transformed into a noun, as in "a follow-up meeting," which underscores its flexibility in different grammatical structures.
B1
PreIntermediate
1. To continue or review action on something previously done or discussed.
After the meeting, she had to follow up with an email summary.
He will follow up on the application next week to check its status.
2. To pursue or investigate something further.
The doctor will follow up with more tests after the initial examination.
Police decided to follow up on the new lead in the case.