Www.aut oenglish.org Written by Bob Wilson ©Robert Clifford McNair Wilson 2007 Business Idioms Exercise A Match the idioms with the meanings and then translate the idioms. 52 Most Common Business Idioms from the New York Times to Make Your Business English Spectacular. The products and services seem way ahead of the game (successful). Many of these entrepreneurs decided to go for broke (wagering everything) after developing a strong game plan (the strategy of reaching an objective). List of Most Common Business Idioms. Hit the nail on the To identify something exactly; to arrive at exactly the right answer. “He hit the nail on the head when he said the problem was the thermostat” Means something that is not clearly defined and needs careful judgement. Grey area (UK). Business idioms. Type of English: Business English Level: Upper-intermediate (B2-C1). Lesson 9: Business Idioms – Part 1 Idioms are short phrases with meanings that are different from the meanings of their individual words. Idioms are different from slang - idioms are in between formal and informal, so they are acceptable in everyday English conversations and e-mails - including some communication at work. Business idioms or Business Jargon is a critical component of workplace communications in the US. If you an English learner or an International student just starting work in the US, you will probably be confused on many of these expressions.
1. a foot in the door
to manage to enter an organization, a field of business, etc. that could bring you success
- I always wanted to work for that company but it took me two years to get a foot in the door.
[Tweet “A FOOT IN THE DOOR: to manage to enter an organization, a field of business, etc. that could bring you success”]
2. cash cow
the part of a business that always makes a profit and that provides money for the rest of the business
the part of a business that always makes a profit and that provides money for the rest of the business
- The new product became the company’s cash cow.
[Tweet “CASH COW: the part of a business that always makes a profit and that provides money for the rest of the business”]
3. too many chiefs, not enough Indians
used to describe a situation in which there are too many people telling other people what to do, and not enough people to do the work
used to describe a situation in which there are too many people telling other people what to do, and not enough people to do the work
- There are too many chiefs and not enough Indians in that company.
[Tweet “TOO MANY CHIEFS, NOT ENOUGH INDIANS: used to describe a situation in which there are too many people telling other people what to do, and not enough people to do the work”]
4. eager beaver
an enthusiastic person who works very hard
an enthusiastic person who works very hard
- George is an eager beaver and is certain to succeed in business.
[Tweet “EAGER BEAVER: an enthusiastic person who works very hard”]
5. a slice of the pie
a share of something such as money, profits, etc.
a share of something such as money, profits, etc.
Business Idioms And Phrases Pdf
- The company made big profits and the workers want a slice of the pie.
[Tweet “A SLICE OF THE PIE: a share of something such as money, profits, etc.”]
6. go belly up
to fail completely
to fail completely
- Last year the business went belly up after sales continued to fall.
[Tweet “GO BELLY UP: to fail completely”]
7. golden handshake
a large sum of money that is given to somebody when they leave their job, or to persuade them to leave their job
a large sum of money that is given to somebody when they leave their job, or to persuade them to leave their job
- When Tom left the company he was given a golden handshake.
[Tweet “GOLDEN HANDSHAKE: a large sum of money that is given to somebody when they leave their job, or to persuade them to leave their job”]
8. grease someone’s palm
to give somebody money in order to persuade them to do something dishonest
to give somebody money in order to persuade them to do something dishonest
- There are rumours that the company had to grease someone’s palms to get that contract.
[Tweet “GREASE SOMEONE’S PALM: to give somebody money in order to persuade them to do something dishonest”]
9. hold the fort
to have the responsibility for something or care of somebody while other people are away or out
to have the responsibility for something or care of somebody while other people are away or out
- While the boss is out of the office, I’ll have to hold the fort.
[Tweet “HOLD THE FORT: to have the responsibility for something or care of somebody while other people are away or out”]
10. keep head above water
to deal with a difficult situation, especially one in which you have financial problems, and just manage to survive
to deal with a difficult situation, especially one in which you have financial problems, and just manage to survive
- Business is bad. I’m not sure how much longer we’ll be able to keep our heads above water.
[Tweet “KEEP HEAD ABOVE WATER: to deal with a difficult situation, especially one in which you have financial problems, and just manage to survive”]
Read more:
What Happens if You Don’t Drink Enough Water Daily? [Video]
What Happens if You Don’t Drink Enough Water Daily? [Video]
11. red tape
official rules that seem more complicated than necessary and prevent things from being done quickly
official rules that seem more complicated than necessary and prevent things from being done quickly
- You have to go through endless red tape to start up a business.
[Tweet “RED TAPE: official rules that seem more complicated than necessary and prevent things from being done quickly”]
12. sell ice to Eskimos
to persuade people to go against their best interests or to accept something unnecessary or preposterous.
to persuade people to go against their best interests or to accept something unnecessary or preposterous.
- That salesman is such a smooth talker, he could sell ice to Eskimos.
[Tweet “SELL ICE TO ESKIMOS: to persuade people to go against their best interests or to accept something unnecessary or preposterous.”]
13. sleeping partner
a person who has put money into a business company but who is not actually involved in running it
a person who has put money into a business company but who is not actually involved in running it
Business Idioms Pdf Template
- Tom found a sleeping partner to invest money in his business.
[Tweet “SLEEPING PARTNER: a person who has put money into a business company but who is not actually involved in running it”]
14. walking papers
the letter or notice dismissing somebody from a job
the letter or notice dismissing somebody from a job
- Helen was given her walking papers yesterday.
[Tweet “WALKING PAPERS: the letter or notice dismissing somebody from a job”]
15. a dead duck
a plan, an event, etc. that has failed or is certain to fail and that is therefore not worth discussing
a plan, an event, etc. that has failed or is certain to fail and that is therefore not worth discussing
Business Idioms In English
- The project was a dead duck from the start due to a lack of funding.
[Tweet “A DEAD DUCK: a plan, an event, etc. that has failed or is certain to fail and that is therefore not worth discussing”]