1. I really appreciate…
You can also use this phrase to thank someone. For example, you might say:
I really appreciate your help.
Or you can combine #1 and #2:
Thanks so much for cooking dinner. I really appreciate it.
Thanks so much. I really appreciate you cooking dinner.
2. What do you think?
When you want to hear someone’s opinion on a topic, use this question.
I’m not sure if we should paint the room yellow or blue. What do you think?
3. How does that sound?
If you suggest an idea or plan, use this phrase to find out what others think.
We could have dinner at 6, and then go to a movie. How does that sound?
Let’s hire a band to play music, and Brent can photograph the event. How does that sound?
4. That sounds great.
If you like an idea, you can respond to #6 with this phrase. “Great” can be replaced with any
synonym, such as “awesome,” “perfect,” “excellent” or “fantastic.”
A: My mom is baking cookies this afternoon. We could go to my house and eat some. How does
that sound?
B: That sounds fantastic!
5. (Oh) never mind.
Let’s say someone doesn’t understand an idea you’re trying to explain. If you’ve explained it
over and over and want to stop, just say “oh, never mind.” You can now talk about something
else!
You can also use “never mind” to mean “it doesn’t matter” or “just forget it.” In these situations,
say it with a smile and positive tone, though. Otherwise, when you say this phrase slowly with a
falling low tone, it can mean you’re bothered or upset.
A: Are you going to the grocery store today?
B: No, I’m not. But why—do you need something?
A: Oh, never mind. It’s okay, I’ll go tomorrow.
6. Could you repeat that please?
If you’d like someone to say a word, question or phrase again, use this question. Since “to
repeat” means “to say again,” you can also ask, “Could you say that again please?”
We can say “please” either at the end of the question or right after “you,” like this:
Could you please repeat that?
Could you repeat that please?
7. Could you please talk slower?
Native speakers can talk very fast. Fast English is hard to understand! This is an easy way to ask
someone to speak more slowly.
Note: This phrase is not grammatically correct. However, it’s used often in everyday (casual)
speech. The grammatically correct question would be, “Could you please talk more slowly?”
That’s because “slowly” is an adverb, so it describes verbs (like “talk”). “Slower” is a
comparative adjective, which means it should be used to describe nouns (people, places or
thing), not verbs. (For example: My car is slower than yours.)
A: You can give us a call any weekday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at five five five, two five zero
eight, extension three three—
B: I’m sorry, could you please talk slower?
8. I’ll be with you in a moment.
When someone wants to see you, use this phrase if you need a minute to finish something first. If
a client is waiting at a store, you can also use this phrase to show that their turn is next.
You can replace “moment” with “minute”: “I’ll be with you in (just) a minute.”
Another common phrase for this situation is “I’ll be right with you.”
Good morning! I’ll be with you in a moment.
9. (Oh really?) Actually, I thought…
When you disagree with someone, “Actually, I thought…” will make you sound kinder and more
polite than saying “No” or “You’re wrong.” This phrase is useful when you have a different idea
than someone else.
A: So Sam’s coming in tonight at 8, right?
B: Actually, I thought he wasn’t working at all this week.
A: Oh, ok. I’ll have to look at the schedule again.
10. Actually, I [verb]…
Just like in #28, you can use “actually, I…” with many different verbs: “heard,” “learned,” “am,”
“can,” “can’t,” etc. You should use it for the same situation as above: when you have a different
idea than someone else.
A: Did you finish the reports?
B: Actually, I am running a bit behind, but they’ll be done by noon!
C: When you type, always put two spaces between sentences.
D: Actually, I learned to put a single space between sentences.
11. I’m (just) about to [verb]…
When you’re going to start something very soon, you’re “just about to” do something.
I’m just about to send those faxes.
I’m about to go and pick up some coffee. Do you want anything?
1. ‘The best of both worlds’ – means you can enjoy two different opportunities at the
same
time.
“By working part-time and looking after her kids two days a week she managed to get
the best of both worlds.”
2. ‘Speak of the devil’ – this means that the person you’re just talking about actually
appears
at
that
moment.
“Hi Tom, speak of the devil, I was just telling Sara about your new car.”
3.
‘See
eye
to
eye’ –
this
means
“They finally saw eye to eye on the business deal.”
agreeing
4. ‘Once in a blue moon’ – an
“I only go to the cinema once in a blue moon.”
that
event
5.
‘When
pigs
fly’
– something
“When pigs fly she’ll tidy up her room.”
that
6. ‘To cost an arm and a leg’–
“Fuel these days costs and arm and a leg.”
7.
‘A
piece
of
cake’–
“The English test was a piece of cake.”
someone.
happens
will
something
something
with
infrequently.
never
is
very
is
8. ‘Let the cat out of the bag’ – to accidentally
“I let the cat out of the bag about their wedding plans.”
happen.
expensive.
very
reveal
9.
‘To
feel
under
the
weather’ –
to
not
“I’m really feeling under the weather today; I have a terrible cold.”
easy.
a
secret.
feel
well.
10. ‘To kill two birds with one stone’ – to solve two problems at once.
“By taking my dad on holiday, I killed two birds with one stone. I got to go away but also
spend time with him.”
11.
‘To
cut
corners’ –
to
do
something
badly
or
“They really cut corners when they built this bathroom; the shower is leaking.”
cheaply.
12.
‘To
add
insult
to
injury’ –
to
make
a
situation
worse.
“To add insult to injury the car drove off without stopping after knocking me off my bike.”
13. ‘You can’t judge a book by its cover’ – to not judge someone or something based
solely
on
appearance.
“I thought this no-brand bread would be horrible; turns out you can’t judge a book by its
cover.”
14. ‘Break a leg’ – means ‘good luck’ (often said to actors before they go on stage).
“Break a leg Sam, I’m sure your performance will be great.”
15. ‘To hit the nail on the head’ – to describe exactly what is causing a situation or
problem.
“He hit the nail on the head when he said this company needs more HR support.”
Get Down to Business with 25 Cool English Idioms
and Phrases
1. Get down to business
Business meetings usually begin with some small talk while waiting for everyone to arrive.
When it’s time to start seriously focusing on the actual work, it’s time to get down to business.
Sample sentence: We’ve got 25 business idioms and phrases to cover today so let’s get down to
business.
2. From day one
This means “since the beginning.” You often hear the phrase from day oneused in the workplace
to talk about something that has been true since the very first day a project or business began.
Sample sentence: I hope management realizes that our deadlines are very tight. We need to hire
more people immediately. We’ve been short-handed from day one.
3. Learn the ropes
Learn the ropes is used in situations where someone, usually a new coworker, needs to learn the
basics of how something is done.
Sample sentence: The three new members of our project team will need to learn the
ropes ASAP.
4. Bring to the table
To bring [something] to the table means to bring something of use or benefit (skills, experience,
etc.) to a job or business activity (project, meeting, etc.).
Sample sentence: We need someone on the team who can bringproject management
experience to the table.
5. Learning curve
A learning curve is used to describe the progress someone has to make to gain experience or
learn a new skill set. A steep learning curveindicates the task may be difficult and therefore
take more effort.
Sample sentence: She is welcome to join our team, but there will be a steep learning curve.
6. Get off the ground
To get [something] off the ground means to start doing a job or project, usually after much
discussion or planning.
Sample sentence: Months after looking into how to boost declining sales, we were finally able
to get our aggressive sales campaign off the ground.
7. On a shoestring
When you do something on a shoestring, you’re working on a tight budget or with very little
money.
Sample sentence: It’s going to be a challenge doing such a big project on a shoestring but we’ll
try our best.
8. From the ground up
If you build a business or project from zero or from the bottom, you’re starting from the ground
up.
Sample sentence: Have you read the news about the enterprising 12-year-old who’s building her
business from the ground up?
9. Behind the scenes
This phrase is used to describe something, usually work, that’s done or that happens away from
public view.
Sample sentence: Organizing a roadshow may look easy, but do you have any idea how much
hard work we’ve put in behind the scenes?
10. Touch base
To touch base with someone simply means to contact someone.
Sample sentence: I have a meeting right now but I’ll touch base with you later.
11. The eleventh hour
The eleventh hour is used to describe something that’s done or happens at the last minute.
Sample sentence: The project manager won’t be pleased about them changing the design at the
eleventh hour.
12. By the book
Doing something by the book means doing it strictly according to the rules, policies or the law.
Sample sentence: I don’t think John will listen to your suggestion. He insists on doing
everything by the book.
13. Run around in circles
To run around in circles means to keep doing something without achieving any real results. In
other words, you’re doing a lot of unnecessary work but not getting anywhere.
Sample sentence: The deadline is coming up, but we’ve been running around in circles because
the client keeps changing their mind about the design.
14. Cut corners
If you cut corners, you’re taking shortcuts and using the easiest, quickest and cheapest way to
do something.
Sample sentence: If we cut corners, we can probably meet our sales target for the last quarter.
15. The bottom line
You may know that the last or bottom line on a financial statement is the most important. The
bottom line is what shows the total profit or loss. So then, the phrase the bottom line is used in
general to refer to the final outcome, or the most important point to consider.
Sample sentence: It’s true that we’re very short-handed, but the bottom line is we must still
deliver the project on time.
16. In a nutshell
Have you seen a nutshell? Think of how small it is and how little it can hold. So, in a
nutshell means in summary, or in as few words as possible.
Sample sentence: This book is about successful businesspeople and how they reached the top. In
a nutshell, it’s about how to grow a successful business.
17. Fifty-fifty
Fifty-fifty simply means dividing something into equal parts so that both parties get 50%.
Sample sentence: Since I’m as busy as you are, let’s split the work for this project fifty-fifty.
18. The big picture
The big picture means to look at the overall view of something, or the situation as a whole and
not at the details.
Sample sentence: I think his presentation was too long and detailed. He should’ve just given
us the big picture.
19. Long shot
Imagine you’re throwing a dart from a long distance. What are the chances of it hitting the
bullseye (the exact center of the target)?
Well, a long shot is an idiom that’s usually used to describe something that has a very small
chance of happening or succeeding.
Sample sentence: Landing such a high-paying job is a long shot but I’m still going to give it a
try.
20. Back to square one
Back to square one simply means to start over, or to go back to the beginning.
Sample sentence: I wish I’d saved my spreadsheet before the server crashed. Now I have to
go back to square one.
21. Back to the drawing board
Back to the drawing board also means to start over, but it’s used more often to describe going
back to the first stage of a project or process.
Sample sentence: Our design for small family homes wasn’t approved so we have to go back to
the drawing board.
22. Go down the drain
A drain is a hole where liquids and waste are sent away. For example, there’s a drain in your
sink, shower and toilet.
To go down the drain means that your effort, work or money is wasted or lost.
Sample sentence: If this sales campaign doesn’t succeed, all our hard work will go down the
drain.
23. Gray area
The color gray is between black and white. When something is in a gray area, it means the
situation isn’t certain. In a gray area there are no clear rules and it’s difficult to say if it’s right or
wrong.
Sample sentence: You have many good points in your proposal but there’s one gray area we
need to discuss.
24. Go the extra mile
To go the extra mile means to give more effort or do more than what’s expected of you.
Sample sentence: Anyone would be glad to have Pam on their team. She’s a great team player
and is always willing to go the extra mile.
25. Call it a day
I saved the easiest one for last. When your work has been completed for the day, or when you
decide to stop working on an activity, you call it a day.
Sample sentence: Now that we’ve learned 25 new business idioms and phrases that you can start
using immediately, let’s call it a day.
50 COMMON BUSINESS IDIOMS
idiom
meaning
example
Ahead of the pack
To be more successful
than the competition
If we want to stay ahead
of the pack, we’ll have
to increase our
marketing budget.
Back to square one
To start something over
again because a
previous attempt failed
To make this software
finally work, we have to
go back to square one.
Ballpark number/figure
A very inexact estimate
To give you a ballpark
figure, how much the
border wall to Mexico is
going to cost, I’d say
about 30 million dollars.
Big picture
Everything that is
involved with a
particular situation
Working on all these
details, we have lost
sight of the big picture.
By the book
To do things exactly
We told our auditors that
according to the rules or we do everything by the
the law
book.
Corner the market
To dominate a particular Amazon more or less
market
corners the online
retailing market.
Cut-throat
Very intense,
aggressive, and
merciless competition
Easy come, easy go
Something gained easily I lost 500 Euros in a
is also lost easily
poker game last night,
but that’s life – easy
come, easy go.
Game plan
A strategy or plan for
achieving success
What is our game plan
for dealing with our new
competitor?
Get down to business
Stop making small talk
and start talking about
serious business topics
Now that everyone’s
here, let’s get down to
business and start with
the presentation.
Get something off the
ground
To start something (e.g. Now that we have
a project or a business) finished the planning
phase, we’re eager the
get the project off the
ground.
Go down the drain
Something is wasted or
lost
All our efforts in entering
this new market went
down the drain.
Go the extra mile
To do more than what
people expect
To give our customers
the best shopping
experience, we go the
extra mile.
Hands are tied
Not being free to
I’d love to help you, but
Competition in the food
retailing business is cutthroat.
behave in the way that
you would like
my hands are tied.
In a nutshell
Using as few words as
possible
In a nutshell, we will run
out of cash in three
months time.
In full swing
At a stage when the
level of activity is at its
highest
Construction of our new
production site is in full
swing now.
In the driver’s seat
To be in charge or in
control of a situation
Being offered the
position of managing
director, I’ll soon be in
the driver’s seat.
Keep one’s eye on the
ball
To give something one’s We should not diversify
full attention and to not our product offering too
lose focus
much, but rather keep
our eyes on the ball.
Learn the ropes
Learn the basics of
something (e.g. a job)
I’m learning the ropes in
my new position.
Long shot
Something that has a
very low probability of
happening
Winning the lottery is a
long shot.
No-brainer
Something that is really
obvious or easy
Making money working
for an investment bank
is a no-brainer.
No strings attached
Something is given
They will let you try the
without involving special product for free with no
demands or limits
strings attached.
Not going to fly
Something isn’t
expected to work out
This product is definitely
not going to fly.
On the same page
To be in agreement
about something
Let’s go over the
contract details once
more to make sure
we’re on the same
page.
Out in the open
Something that is public Our financials our out in
knowledge and not
secret anymore
the open anyway.
Put all one’s eggs in one To rely on only one
basket
thing to bring success
It’s not smart to invest in
American tech stocks
only and put all one’s
eggs in one basket.
Put the cart before the
horse
To do or think about
things in the wrong
order
Trying to find an
investor without having
a business plan is like
putting the cart before
the horse.
Raise the bar
To set standards or
expectations higher
The iPhone raised the
bar for smartphone
makers.
Red tape
Official rules and
processes that seem
excessive and
unnecessary
The new law is going to
create a lot of red tape.
Rock the boat
To do or say something Don’t rock the boat until
that will upset people or the negotiations are
cause problems
finished.
Safe bet
Something that is
certain to happen
It’s a safe bet that
computer processor
speed will more than
triple within the next 10
years.
Same boat
To be in the same
difficult situation as
someone else
None of us has any
money left, so we’re all
in the same boat.
See eye to eye
To agree with
somebody
My boss doesn’t see
eye to eye with me
about our marketing
campaign.
See something through
To continue until
something is finished
I want to see this project
through before taking on
another one.
Sever ties
To end a relationship
We had to sever ties
with several suppliers
due to poor product
quality.
Shoot something down
To reject something
(e.g. an idea or a
proposal)
You shouldn’t shoot
down your co-workers
ideas during a
brainstorming session.
Smooth sailing
A situation where
success is achieved
without difficulties
Once our largest
competitor went out of
business, it was smooth
sailing.
Stand one’s ground
To not change one’s
opinion or position
They tried to cut my
travel budget, but I
stood my ground.
Take the bull by the
horns
To directly confront a
difficult situation in a
brave and determined
way
My mid-level managers
constantly delayed
projects, so I took the
bull by the horns and
fired several of them.
Talk someone into
something
To convince someone to I was reluctant to
do something
redesign our website,
but my employees
talked me into it.
Talk someone out of
something
To convince someone
not to do something
We wanted to take on
more debt, but our CFO
talked us out of it.
The elephant in the
room
An obvious problem or
controversial issue that
no one wants to
discuss.
We should have
discussed our pending
litigation, but no one
wanted to talk about the
elephant in the room.
Think outside the box
To think of creative,
unconventional
solutions instead of
common ones.
Our current approach
will get us nowhere. We
have to think outside the
box.
Time’s up
Time for something or
someone has ended.
I think his time’s up as
the CEO.
Touch base
To make contact with
someone.
I will touch base with
you later today.
Twist someone’s arm
To convince someone to My boss thought the
do something that he or budget was a little high,
she does not want to do. so I had to twist his arm
to get him to agree to it.
Up in the air
Something is undecided Our international
or uncertain
expansion plan is still up
in the air.
Uphill battle
Something that is
difficult to achieve
because of obstacles
and difficulties
Upper hand
To have more power
Due to my experience, I
than anyone else and so had the upper had in the
have control
argument.
Word of mouth
Something is given or
done by people talking
about something or
telling people about
something
Gaining market share in
this country will be an
uphill battle due to tough
competition.
Many local stores rely
on word of mouth to get
new customers.