English Training BUSINESS IDIOMS

The Most Common Business Idioms

IDIOM WHAT IT MEANS EXAMPLES

"24/7" means 24 hours a day, seven The convenience store on the corner is open
24/7 days a week. 24/7.
When something unfortunate It was a tough break for us when Caroline quit.
a tough break happens, it can be called a "tough She was one of our top performers.
break."
To be "ahead of the curve" means to We're investing a lot of money in research and
ahead of the curve be more advanced than the development so we can stay ahead of the
competition. curve.
To be "ahead of the pack" means to If we want to stay ahead of the pack, we're
ahead of the pack be better or more successful than the going to have to work really hard and continue
competition. to innovate.
"ASAP" is an acronym for "as soon I need to finish these reports. My boss needs
ASAP
as possible." them ASAP.
"At stake" means at risk. I'n a little nervous about giving this
at stake
presentation. There's a lot at stake.
To go "back to square one" means to Our programmers identified what they thought
start something over again. the problem was with the software. After
back to square one working for several hours, it turns out that the
problem is something totally different, so it
looks like we have to go back to square one.
To go "back to the drawing board" The prototype wasn't successful. We have to
back to the drawing means to start something over again, go back to the drawing board.
board and go back to the planning stage of
something.
A backroom deal is an agreement I think they got the government contract
backroom deal or decision that is made without the because of a backroom deal.
public
A knowing
ballpark aboutisit.a very inexact
number Im not sure what a Super Bowl commercial
ballpark number
estimate. costs, but to give you a ballpark figure, Id say
To do something "behind someone's aboutdidn't
She threethink
million dollars.
it would be fair to go behind
behind someone's back" means to do something without his back and talk to management, so she
back someone's knowledge and in a way confronted him directly.
that is not fair.
What happens in secret or not in front They make it look so effortless, but they do a
behind the scenes of the general public is said to lot of hard work and planning behind the
happen "behind the scenes." scenes.
Everything that is involved with a Even though we all have very specific tasks to
big picture particular situation is called "the big do, our manager makes sure we don't lose
picture." sight of the big picture.

Date: ______________________________________ 1/10 English_ Class Assignment ____

English Training BUSINESS IDIOMS

The Most Common Business Idioms

IDIOM WHAT IT MEANS EXAMPLES

A blue collar worker is someone It's a blue collar town with a lot of farmers and
who works with his or her hands factory workers.
(manufacturing, construction,
maintenance, etc.) The opposite is a
white collar worker. A white collar
worker is someone who works in an
blue collar office (customer service,
management, sales, etc.) Blue
collar(and white collar) can also be
used to describe a job, position, or a
place.

To do things "by the book" means to There are a lot of regulatory industries that
do things according to company audit us on a regular basis. It's important that
by the book policy or law. It means to follow the we do everything by the book.
rules 100%.
To "call it a day" means to decide to Well, John, it's 7:00 and I'm getting hungry.
call it a day
stop working for the day. How about we call it a day?
catch someone off To catch someone off guard means Mike was caught off guard when they asked
guard to surprise someone by doing him to direct the meeting.
something
If someonethat he ororshe
"caves" was in"
"caves notit The employees complained about the change
cave (or cave in) expecting.
means that the person gives in to in policy, but the supervisor refused to cave in.
something
A change of or paceis
agrees something
to something Its nice to go on business trips because
that he orfrom
different she apreviously did not
normal routine orwant
change of pace
to accept.
schedule. its a change of pace.
To "come up short means to try to The charity fund raiser was supposed to raise
achieve something but fail. We often three million dollars, but they came up short.
come up short say that someone has come up
short when someone fails to achieve
a goal, but not completely.

To "corner a market" means to Apple has cornered the market on mp3

corner a market dominate a particular market. players. They have a very large percentage of
market share.
To "cut corners" means to take We don't cut corners on our luxury products.
cut corners shortcuts and find an easier or They are all made to high standards with
cheaper way to do something. materials of the highest quality.
If you stop doing something that is Advertising through that company was
unproductive and won't ever generate expensive and we didn't see an increase in
cut one's losses results, you "cut your losses." sales. So, we decided to cut our losses and
stop doing business with them.
"Cut-throat" is used to describe In business school, the competition was cut-
cut-throat something that is very intense, throat.
aggressive and merciless.

Date: ______________________________________ 2/10 English_ Class Assignment ____

English Training BUSINESS IDIOMS

The Most Common Business Idioms

IDIOM WHAT IT MEANS EXAMPLES

A "diamond in the rough" is He was a diamond in the rough. He was really
something or someone that has a lot intelligent and had great ideas, but his
diamond in the rough of potential but first requires a lot of management and English skills weren't very
work. good.
"Easy come, easy go," is an A lot of people who inherit money waste it on
expression used to communicate that stupid things. I guess it's easy come, easy go.
something gained easily is also lost
easy come, easy go
easily. We use this expression after
something has been lost.

"Fifty-fifty" means something is My business partner and I split everything fifty-

fifty-fifty divided equally -- 50% for one
person, 50% for the other person.
If you start a business, project, or
from the ground up something else from zero, you start it
"from the ground up."
A game plan is a strategy or plan.
game plan
To "get back in/into the swing of
things" means to get used to doing
get back in/into the something after you have had a
swing of things break from that activity.
fifty.
Bill Gates built Microsoft from the ground up.
They're not sure what their game plan is for
the upcoming election.
Our company shuts down operations for three
weeks during the holiday season. When I go
back to work in January, it's always difficult to
get back in the swing of things.

To "get down to business" means to Well, everyone's here, and I know everyone is
stop making small talk and start very busy. So, let's get down to business and
get down to business talking about serious topics related to talk about the proposal.
business.
To "get something off the ground" We're very glad that the planning process is
get something off the means to start a project or business. over. We're looking forward to getting the
ground project off the ground.
To "get the ball rollingmeans to start We really need to get the ball rolling on this
get the ball rolling something (a work project, for project. The deadline is in June, and it's
example). already April.
If someone likes you, you are "on the I always remember my coworkers' birthdays
get/be on the good good side" of that person. and get them a card or small gift. I like to get
side of someone on people's good side.
To "get or have your foot in the door" My son just took a low-paying internship
means to take a low-level position position with a large company. He was happy
get/have foot in the with a company with the goal of to get his foot in the door at a well-known,
door eventually getting a better position respected company.
with the same company in the future.
To "give someone a pat on the back" The boss gave Brian a pat on the back for
give someone a pat on means to tell someone that he or she coming up with such a good idea.
the back did a good job.

Date: ______________________________________ 3/10 English_ Class Assignment ____

English Training BUSINESS IDIOMS

The Most Common Business Idioms

IDIOM WHAT IT MEANS EXAMPLES

give To "give something or someone the I can't believe she gave us the thumbs down. I
something/someone thumbs down" means to deny thought it was a great idea.
the thumbs down approval.
give To "give something or someone the They gave our new proposal the thumbs up.
something/someone thumbs up" means to approve. We're going out to celebrate tonight.
the thumbs up
To "go broke" means to go bankrupt There was too much competition and their
go broke or to lose all the money a person or expenses were too high. They eventually went
business had. broke.
When you waste or lose something, it He dropped out of college in his third year and
go down the drain is said to "go down the drain." never continued his studies. All of his hard
work and money went down the drain.
To "go the extra mile" means to do We go the extra mile for our customers. If
more than what people expect of you. someone is dissatisfied with a purchase, we
go the extra mile refund their money and offer them a discount
on their next purchase.

If something is going through the We're really happy that our number of
go through the roof roof, it means it is increasing very Facebook followers has gone through the roof.
quickly.
If something is in a gray area it I asked our lawyers if it was legal, and they
gray area means that it is something undefined said it wasn't clear. It's in a gray area.
that is not easily categorized.
If something is ground-breaking it The iPhone was a ground-breaking piece of
ground-breaking
means it is new and innovative. technology when it was released in 2008.
If you do not have any control over a I would love to get you a job at my company,
hands are tied situation, your "hands are tied." but my hands are tied. Management isn't
hiring any additional employees this year.
If you have a lot of work to do or a She has to sell $35,000 worth of products by
have someone's work particularly difficult assignment, you the end of the month. She has her work cut
cut out "have your work cut out for you." out for her.
To "hit the nail on the head" means to I agree with John 100%. I think he really hit
hit the nail on the head
do or say something 100% correctly. the nail on the head.
"In a nutshell" means in a few words. In a nutshell, this book is about how to
in a nutshell
motivate employees.
If a project is "in full swing," it means Construction on the new site is in full swing
that it has been completely started now.
in full swing and that it is progressing or moving
as fast as it ever will.
If a company is "in the black," it We're not having a great year, but at least
in the black means that they are making a profit. we're in the black.
To be in the drivers seat means to I'm not used to being in the driver's seat. I
in the driver's seat
be in control. should probably buy some management
books.

Date: ______________________________________ 4/10 English_ Class Assignment ____

English Training BUSINESS IDIOMS

The Most Common Business Idioms

IDIOM WHAT IT MEANS EXAMPLES

If a company is "in the red," it means When I started my own business, we were in
in the red that they are not profitable and are the red for the first two years. We didn't see a
operating at a loss. profit until the third year.
To "keep your eye on the ball means I know we can do it. We just need to keep our
keep your eye on the to focus and concentrate on what you eye on the ball and not lose our focus.
ball want to achieve.
The "last straw" means the last Our boss was unhappy with Brian's
annoyance, disturbance, or betrayal performance for a while, but when he came to
last straw which causes someone to give up, work three hours late without calling, it was
lose his or her patience, or become the last straw.
very angry.
To "learn the ropesmeans to learn I like my new position.
learn the ropes the basics of something. Im starting to learn the ropes.
A "long shot" is something that has a Winning the lottery is a long shot, but millions
long shot very low probability of happening. of people still buy lottery tickets.
A legal "loophole" occurs If a law is Some people complain that millionaires avoid
unclear or omits information. This paying taxes by finding loopholes in tax laws.
lack of legal clarity allows people or
loophole corporations to take advantage of the
situation and pay less in taxes or gain
some other advantage.

To "lose ground" means to lose some Apple lost some ground to Samsung last
lose ground (opposite type of an advantage (market share, quarter.
is to "gain ground") for example) to a competitor.
A "lose-lose situation" is when It's a lose-lose situation. If they lay off more
lose-lose situation someone has to choose between workers, they'll get bad press. If they don't lay
(also called a "no-win various options and all the options off more workers, they won't be able to
situation") are bad. compete.
A "nine-to-five" is a job during normal She was tired of working a nine-to-five job, so
working hours. The term came into she took her savings and started a restaurant.
nine-to-five existence because many work days
start at 9 AM and end at 5 PM.
If a decision is really obvious or really Taking the new job was a no brainer. They
no brainer easy to make, the decision is a "no offered me more money, a better schedule,
brainer." and more vacation days.
If something is given without They will let you try the product for free with
expecting anything in return, it is no strings attached. If you don't like it, there is
no strings attached given with "no strings attached." no pressure to buy it or give them anything in
return.
If there is "no time to lose," it means I told them I'd send the email by the end of the
no time to lose that there is a lot of pressure to day and it's already 4:45. I need to get to
complete something quickly. work. There's no time to lose.

Date: ______________________________________ 5/10 English_ Class Assignment ____

English Training BUSINESS IDIOMS

The Most Common Business Idioms

IDIOM WHAT IT MEANS EXAMPLES

If a solution isn't effective, people say I don't think that idea's going to fly. Let's keep
not going to fly
that it "isn't going to fly." generating ideas.
If someone says something "off the I have no idea how many branches they have.
top of his or her head," it means that Off the top of my head, I'd say about 20.
off the top of one's he or she gives a response without
head thinking about it for a long time or
doing any research on the subject.
If someone is "on a roll," it means Our profits have been above our projected
on a roll that he or she has had several numbers for five months in a row. We're really
successes in a row. on a roll.
To be "one the ball" means to be alert My new personal assistant is working out well.
on the ball
and aware of things. He's really on the ball.
If two people are "on the same page," Let's go over the details of what we agreed on
on the same page page they are in agreement about just to make sure that we're on the same
something. page.
To be "on top of something" means to I read a lot to stay on top of the latest changes
on top of something be in control of a situation and aware in my industry.
of changes.
To be "on your toes" means to be Stay on your toes. Anything can happen.
on your toes
alert.
If something is "out in the open" it is I think it's a good policy to do things out in the
out in the open public knowledge and not hidden open because people get suspicious if you do
from people. things in secret.
To be out of the loop means to not I felt like I was out of the loop after being on
know something that a select group vacation for two weeks.
out of the loop of people knows. The opposite, to be
(opposite: in the loop) in the loop, means to be part of a
select group with knowledge that
others do not have.

If someone gets the "pink slip," it
pink slip
means they have been fired.
To "play hardball" means to be
competitive in a cruel way and
play hardball without showing mercy. Playing
hardball means doing anything
possible
To "put alltosomeone's
win. eggs in one
put all someone's eggs basket," means to rely on only one
in one basket thing to bring you success.
To "put the cart before the horse"
put the cart before the means to do or think about things in
horse the wrong order.
They gave him the pink slip. He wasn't
performing very well.
He played hardball to get where he is, so I
would be careful what you say and do around
him.
It's not good to only invest in the stock market.
You don't want to put all your eggs in one
basket.
They were trying to find investors without even
having a business plan. They were putting the
cart before the horse.

Date: ______________________________________ 6/10 English_ Class Assignment ____

English Training BUSINESS IDIOMS

The Most Common Business Idioms

IDIOM WHAT IT MEANS EXAMPLES

To "raise the bar" means to set the The new software is getting great reviews. It
standards or expectations higher, looks like they've really raised the bar for the
raise the bar usually by achieving or creating competition.
something better than what had
previously existed.
To "read between the lines" means to He didn't say that he wants to leave the
understand something that wasn't company, but I can read between the lines.
communicated directly. Reading He's thinking of getting a new job.
between the lines involves
read between the lines understanding what someone is
implying or suggesting but not saying
directly.

"Red tape" refers to excessive rules, The new law is going to create a lot of extra
procedures, and regulations that red tape and we're going to have to pay our
make it difficult to accomplish lawyers a lot more money.
something. We usually use "red tape"
red tape to talk about government
requirements that create difficult,
time-consuming barriers for people
and businesses.
To "rock the boat" means to cause He thought about demanding a raise, but then
rock the boat problems or disrupt a peaceful he decided he didn't want to rock the boat.
situation.
"Round the clock" means 24 hours a We have round-the-clock production at all our
round-the-clock
day. manufacturing facilities.
To "run (or go) around in circles" I've made phone calls all day and haven't
run/go around in means to do the same thing over and made a single sale. I feel like I've been
circles over again without getting any running around in circles all day.
results.
A "safe bet" means something that It's a safe bet that smart phones will be much
safe bet
will probably happen. more advanced in 10 years.
If people are in the same difficult We're all worried about losing our jobs. We're
same boat
situation, they are in the "same boat." in the same boat.
When someone learns how to do He's been a computer programmer for ten
something so well that it appears that years. At this point, programming is second
he or she was born knowing how to nature him.
second nature
do it, we say that the activity is
"second nature" to him or her.

To see eye to eye with someone
see eye to eye
means to agree with that person.
To "see something through" means to
see something through do something until it is finished.
We don't always see eye to eye, but I respect
her opinions and appreciate her honesty.
I told my boss that I really wanted to see my
current project through before taking on
another project.

Date: ______________________________________ 7/10 English_ Class Assignment ____

English Training BUSINESS IDIOMS

The Most Common Business Idioms

IDIOM WHAT IT MEANS EXAMPLES

To "sever ties" means to end a We had to sever ties with several of our
sever ties relationship. suppliers due to late shipments.
To "shoot something down" means to It's best not to shoot ideas down during a
shoot something down deny something, such as a proposal brainstorming session. The goal is to generate
or idea. ideas, not to criticize them.
If there is no limit to the possibilities With their commission structure, the sky's the
sky's the limit of something, people often say "the limit to what you can make.
sky's the limit."
Small talk is conversation about We typically spend about 15 minutes making
small talk unimportant topics that do not offend small talk before we start our meetings.
people (the weather, for example).
"Smooth sailing" is a term used to Once our largest competitor went out of
smooth sailing (or describe a situation where success is business, it was smooth sailing.
clear sailing) achieved without difficulties.
Snail mail is the term used for the If you want to fill out form 52-E and send it to
traditional mail that goes through the the government, you have to do it using snail
snail mail (AmE) post office. The term is used because mail. They don't allow you to scan the
a snail is a slow-moving animal. document.
If you "stand your ground," it means We tried to change the dress code, but
stand one's ground that you will not change your opinion Human Resources stood their ground.
or position on an issue.
To "start off on the right foot" meansWe offered them a very generous price on
start off on the right to start something in a positive way. their first order and everything shipped on
foot time. We really started off on the right foot.
To "start off on the wrong foot" means I just switched cable companies. They
start off on the wrong to start something in a negative way. overcharged me for the first month's service.
foot They really started off on the wrong foot.
Something that is state of the art is Bill Gates lives in a state-of-the-art home with
state of the art modern and technologically a lot of modern technology that most people
advanced. don't have access to.
To "take something lying down The proposed law would kill our industry, but
take something lying means to accept something we're not going to take it lying down. We're
down unpleasant without fighting back. going to fight back and try to make sure the
law doesn't get passed.

To "take the bull by the horns means One of our mid-level managers wasn't very
take the bull by the to directly confront a difficult situation. popular and was causing some problems, so
horns we took the bull by the horns and replaced
him with somebody else.
To "talk someone into something" I was hesitant to redesign our website, but my
talk someone into means to convince someone to do employees talked me into it. I'm glad they did.
something something. The new site is much better than the previous
one.

Date: ______________________________________ 8/10 English_ Class Assignment ____

English Training BUSINESS IDIOMS

The Most Common Business Idioms

IDIOM WHAT IT MEANS EXAMPLES

To "talk someone out of something" I wanted to make a real estate investment, but
talk someone out of means to convince someone not to my financial adviser talked me out of it.
something do something.
"The elephant in the room" refers to a We should have been talking about our huge
the elephant in the big problem or controversial issue debt, but it seemed like no one wanted to talk
room which is obvious, but which no one about the elephant in the room.
wants to talk about.
To "think big" means to have high I'm not content with just opening one or two
think big goals and big plans for the future. more stores. I'm thinking big -- I think we can
open 10 more stores in the next five years.

To "think outside the box" means to Creating a completely new product that no
think of creative solutions instead of one has ever sold before is an example of
think outside the box common ones. Thinking outside the thinking outside the box.
box involves thinking of
unconventional ideas.
To "throw in the towel" means to quit. I was trying to learn Portuguese, but I got
throw in the towel
frustrated and threw in the towel.
"Time's up" means that the time for I think his time's up as the CEO. They're going
time's up something or someone has ended. to replace him as soon as they find a suitable
candidate.
To "touch base means to make Let me make a few phone calls to try to get an
touch base contact with someone. answer to your question. I'll touch base with
you later today.
To "twist someone's arm" means to The owner thought the advertising budget was
persuade or convince someone to do a little high. We had to twist his arm to get him
twist someone's arm something that he or she does not to agree to it.
want to do.
Something done secretly (and usually To avoid paying taxes, they paid some of their
under the table illegally) in the business world is done employees under the table.
"under the table."
If something is undecided, it is "up in We're looking for a test market right now, but
up in the air the air." nothing has been decided yet. Everything's
still up in the air.
Something that is difficult to achieve Winning the election is going to be an uphill
uphill battle because of obstacles and difficulties battle. He doesn't have a lot of support at the
is an uphill battle. moment.
If someone has an advantage over He was more experienced and well respected,
upper hand someone else, he or she has the so he had the upper hand in the argument.
"upper hand."

Date: ______________________________________ 9/10 English_ Class Assignment ____

English Training BUSINESS IDIOMS

The Most Common Business Idioms

IDIOM WHAT IT MEANS EXAMPLES

A white collar worker is someone There are mostly manufacturing positions
who works in an office (customer here. There aren't a lot of white-collar jobs
service, management, sales, etc.) here.
The opposite of a white collar worker
is a blue collar worker. A blue collar
worker is someone who works with
white collar his or her hands (manufacturing,
construction, maintenance, etc.)
White collar (and blue collarcan
also be used to describe a job,
position, or place.

A "win-win situation" is a situation
win-win situation where everyone involved gains
something.
If something spreads by "word of
mouth," people hear about it by
word of mouth informal conversation with friends,
family members, acquaintances, etc.
The "writing on the wall" refers to the
writing on the wall evidence and clues that something
(usually negative) is going to happen.
A yes man is someone who always
yes man agrees with his or her superiors.
We were happy to get the contract, and they
were happy to get such a good price. It was a
win-win situation.
A lot of local restaurants rely on word of mouth
to get new customers.
I'm going to get my resume ready. I can see
the writing on the wall.
The company isn't looking to hire someone
who is going to try to make a lot of changes.
They're basically just looking for a yes man.

Date: ______________________________________ 10/10 English_ Class Assignment ____