branch out — diversify (into new areas or activities)
phrasal verbC1IELTS 7+neutralcommon
to start doing something different from your usual work or activities, especially to expand into new areas or markets.
Say it like a native
Textbook The company decided to expand its operations into new market sectors.
Native The company decided to branch out into new markets.
'Branch out into' is the natural verb for moving into new areas; the formal paraphrase is corporate.
Pattern: branch out (into something)
In use
- After years of selling only coffee, the company decided to branch out into baked goods.work
- In my opinion, it's important for companies to branch out into new markets if they want to stay competitive in today's global economy.IELTS speaking
Common mistake
✗ She wants to branch out to freelance work.
✓ She wants to branch out into freelance work.
'Branch out INTO' a new area, not 'to'.
Common collocations
branch out into— into, on your own, new areas, a bit
Don't confuse it
Unlike the basic sense of 'branch' (as in a part of a tree), 'branch out' is figurative and refers to expanding into new fields or activities.