1 B1 neutral
To take additional action on a specific matter that was raised or begun earlier.
"I'm calling to follow up on the job application I submitted last week."
inseparable
follow up on
B1 neutral inseparable transitive
To take further action on a specific matter that was previously started or mentioned.
In plain English
Go back and deal with something you already talked about or started.
What does "follow up on" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 neutral
To investigate or act upon a tip, lead, or piece of information.
"The police followed up on several leads before making an arrest."
inseparable
Usage tip
Very common in professional emails and meetings. Always requires an object ('follow up on the report', 'follow up on your request'). More specific than plain 'follow up'.
Words that pair with "follow up on"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
request lead complaint tip promise referral
How to conjugate "follow up on"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
follow up on
I/you/we/they
3rd person
follows up on
he/she/it
Past simple
followed up on
yesterday
Past participle
followed up on
have + pp
-ing form
following up on
continuous
Hear "follow up on" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "follow up on" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
Keep exploring
Jump to every phrasal verb built on the same verb, particle, or level.