Business idioms
c
Angel investor - an investor who provides financial backing for small startups or entrepreneurs - Mr. Jones
pitched his new business and an angel investor decided to invest.
At arm’s length – a distance discouraging personal contact or familiarly - We kept the competitor of our
business at arm’s length.
Bad egg – a worthless, untrustworthy person - The new sales agent was a bad egg and deliberately lied to
the customer.
Bang for the buck – value for money; performance for cost - Time Warner Cable, Co. gave more bang for the
buck to the customer by bundling prices for their television, video and phone services.
Belt tightening – the introduction of rigorous reductions in spending - When demand for computers
decreased, the computer company had to do some belt tightening.
Bitter pill to swallow – bad new; something unpleasant to accept - After working long hours and not getting
paid for overtime, the secretary found it a bitter pill to swallow.
Blank check – complete freedom of action or control - The millionaire CEO funded the product research
with a blank check.
Blew it all - to spoil your chance of achieving something because of what you say or do - The marketing
director spent his entire budget; he blew it all on digital advertising.
Bounce back – to return to a good condition; to recover from a blow or defeat - The stock market will
hopefully bounce back in the new year.