English is the global language of business. In today’s professional world, understanding what you hear and expressing yourself clearly is essential for effective communication with your business partners. To succeed in conversations with colleagues and peers, you need to express ideas in a way that is clear and natural.
The purpose of this blog post is to introduce 25 common business idioms used in daily conversations. These expressions will help you improve your communication skills with native speakers—whether you’re learning English or simply want to sound more natural.
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25 English Idioms About Work & Business Life
While idioms are one of the coloring factors of the language it could confuse the non-native speakers. Here you’re going to find idioms you can come across in your work. Let’s explore these idioms with their meanings and examples.
On the same page
Meaning: Of two or more people, thinking in the same manner; having the same general thought.
Example: We have to be on the same page before we try to present this complex idea to the boss.
Back to the drawing board
Meaning: Revising something from the beginning, typically after it has failed.
Example: We have to go back to the drawing board. I think we made a big mistake at the start.
Ballpark figure
Meaning: An approximate number; an estimate.
Example: Our associate contacted many firms to get a ballpark figure for the project.
Back in business
Meaning: Engaging fully in one’s business activities again after a disruption.
Example: Our rival firm is back in business.
Cut corners
Meaning: To skip certain steps in order to do something as easily or cheaply as possible.
Example: Do not cut corners on this project. It is important for us.
Learn the ropes
Meaning: To learn or understand the basic details of how to do a job, task, or activity.
Example: Can you help him learn the ropes? He is new here.
Back to square one
Meaning: Back to the very first stage of something; returned to an initial starting point.
Example: I am afraid that we have to go back to square one. My computer crashed.
Long shot
Meaning: Something that has a very small chance of succeeding.
Example: I know it’s a long shot, but can you help me?
Bottom line
Meaning: The final figure on a statement showing total profit or loss; the most important factor.
Example: These large corporations are only driven by the bottom line.
By the book
Meaning: In accordance with rules or regulations.
Example: We have to do everything by the book.
Call it a day
Meaning: To stop working for the rest of the day.
Example: Let’s call it a day, I think we shipped the last package.
Get the ball rolling
Meaning: To set something, often a process, in motion.
Example: We need to get the ball rolling. We have much to do today.
In a nutshell
Meaning: In summary.
Example: Just tell me in a nutshell.
Learning curve
Meaning: The rate at which something can be learned or mastered.
Example: The learning curve for this tool is steep.
Think outside the box
Meaning: To think innovatively, beyond traditional ideas.
Example: You have to think outside the box to solve this problem.
Big picture
Meaning: The overall view or long-term scope of something.
Example: Focus on the big picture right now.
Burning the midnight oil
Meaning: To stay up late working on a project or task.
Example: Denise has been burning the midnight oil to finish this report.
Clear the air
Meaning: To remove doubt or tension from a situation.
Example: They cleared the air by showing us the document.
From the ground up
Meaning: From the beginning to the end; entirely.
Example: I’ve been working on this project from the ground up.
Go the extra mile
Meaning: To go beyond what is necessary or expected.
Example: I had to go the extra mile to catch the manager’s attention.
To corner the market
Meaning: To dominate the market in a product.
Example: Our rival firm has cornered the market with their new product.
Behind the scenes
Meaning: Without being widely known; privately.
Example: Who knows what’s going on behind the scenes?
Bring to the table
Meaning: To offer a useful skill or attribute.
Example: He brings to the table years of leadership experience.
Clamp down on
Meaning: To limit or control strictly.
Example: We need to clamp down on spending.
Cut to the chase
Meaning: To get to the important points quickly.
Example: I need an assistant who can cut to the chase.
Frequently Asked Questions About English Idioms in Work & Business Life
Now that you’ve seen some of the most useful idioms for the workplace, you might still have a few questions about how they’re used. To make things easier, we’ve answered some of the most common questions about English idioms in work and business life.
What is the idiom for great effort?
An idiom that is used for someone showing great effort is “burning the midnight oil,” which means staying up late working on a project or task. The phrase comes from the old practice of using an oil lamp to work at night.
What is an idiom for work?
There are many idioms related to work. One example is “back in business,” which means engaging fully in one’s business activities again after a disruption. For example: “Our rival firm is back in business.”
What to say instead of working hard?
Instead of just saying “working hard,” you can use the idiom “go the extra mile,” which means going beyond what is necessary or expected in order to please someone, achieve something, or get something done correctly.
What is the meaning of ‘to corner the market’?
This idiom describes a company that dominates a particular product or industry. If a company “corners the market” in something, it is more successful than any other company at selling that product.
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