# Phrasal verbs for strengths & weaknesses

> Learn the exact phrasal verbs native engineers use to answer "What are your strengths and weaknesses?" in English tech interviews.

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Course

English · Interview

\~6 min read

Discussing your strengths and weaknesses in interviews is a great time to use phrasal verbs. Native speakers use them to sound more natural and expressive - they add colour and emotion, and help speech feel less formal.

Using phrasal verbs to describe your strengths and weaknesses will help you sound more authentic and relatable, and less robotic. Let's look at **7 must-know verbs**.

1

### break down

to simplify something complex

Instead of saying simplify (or decompose, which is a common mistake reserved for scientific contexts), use break down.

> ExampleI can break down complex ideas for non-technical teammates.

Avoid

decompose / simplify (too formal)

2

### take on

to accept a job or responsibility

Use take on instead of accept when talking about jobs and responsibilities. It sounds more natural and proactive.

> ExampleI'm happy to take on new responsibilities when needed.

Avoid

accept new responsibilities (sounds stiff)

3

### pick up

to learn through experience

Pick up means to learn a new skill, language or habit through experience rather than formal study.

> ExampleI can pick up new technologies easily.

Tip

Great for showing adaptability without sounding boastful.

4

### come up with

to produce or suggest an idea

If you come up with a plan or idea, you think of, produce or suggest it. Perfect for ownership stories.

> ExampleI came up with a more efficient workflow.

5

### rush into

to act too quickly (negative)

Rush into has a negative connotation, meaning you act too quickly without careful thought. Useful for honest weaknesses.

> ExampleI sometimes rush into tasks without asking questions.

Tip

Pair with what you do to fix it.

6

### hold back

to keep your opinion to yourself

If you find it difficult to give your opinions in discussion, you can describe this using hold back. Better than 'stay silent', which sounds like you actively choose to say nothing.

> ExampleI often hold back my opinion in meetings with more senior teammates.

Avoid

stay silent (sounds intentional)

7

### put off

to delay something unpleasant

Put off means to delay something until a later time, usually for tasks you don't want to do (documentation, difficult conversations).

> ExampleI used to put off writing documentation until the last minute.

Tip

Use 'used to' to show it's a past habit you've fixed.

## Quick quiz

5 fill-in-the-blanks. Get 4 right to pass.

Tip: mark all 7 verbs as "Got it" before you start.

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