Business Idioms
Part 1
1) Learn the ropes
2) That won’t cut it
3) The ball is in your court
Meaning
a. That will not be enough to do a task or cope with a situation.
b. It’s your turn to make a decision or do something.
c. Learn how to do things or learn how things work.
4) Behind the scenes
5) On the same page
6) Sleep on it
a. Understand each other and agree.
b. Done privately or secretly, rather than publicly.
c. Delay making a decision on something until the following day.
7) Call it a day
8) In a nutshell
9) It’s a long shot
a. An attempt or guess with very small chance of succeeding or being
accurate.
b. In summary, in a few words.
c. Decide to stop working or doing an activity.
10) To touch base
11) Kill two birds with one stone
12) Let’s table it
a. Solve two problems with one action or solution.
b. Briefly make or renew contact with someone. To update someone or have
a quick conversation with them.
c. Postpone a discussion or activity until later. Usually used near the end of a
meeting when a conversation is dragging and everyone just wants to go
home.
13) In the same boat
14) In the bag
15) Move the needle
a. To make a difference; to have a noticeable impact on something.
b. Certain or sure to be won, achieved, or obtained.
c. To be in the same bad or difficult situation.
Complete the sentences using idioms
1. I think we should __________ and go home.
2. They seem really upset. A simple apology __________.
3. I just wanted to quickly __________ with you: did you get an email
from my secretary about the meeting?
4. They hired her to increase sales, but her strategies failed to
__________
5. As a professional, you need to constantly __________ to do really
well in your career.
Complete the sentences using idioms
6. You’ve all raised some good points. __________ until next week’s meeting.
7. Before we begin the discussion, I want to make sure that we are all
__________.
8. I’ve done what I can. Now __________.
9. I know__________, because there are many candidates, but I’m going to
apply for the manager’s job.
10. The negotiations are looking great, but the deal is not __________ yet.
Complete the sentences using idioms
11. There is a lot of negotiation going on __________.
12. You filed the wrong paperwork, too? We’re __________!
13. Our traffic is rising, customers are happy, and our revenue is still
growing; __________, our business is a success.
14. Let me __________ and give you an answer tomorrow.
15. I might as well __________ and drop off my tax forms while I’m at
the mall for the computer part I need.