Idioms for business

Idioms
for business
Idioms for business

From cash cows to project launches, and crunching numbers to

generating buzz, the business world is full of idiomatic expressions.

Idioms serve many purposes in business communication. They can help you sound less robotic
and more personable (let’s take a crack at it sounds funnier and more motivating than let’s try
to do it). They can help you avoid being too direct and overbearing with people you don’t know
so well (getting back on track is lighter than returning to the initial topic). They also can be used
to inject more life and soul into our words (launching a project sounds more powerful than
starting one!)

Learning idioms in English, however, is not just about helping you become a more approacha-
ble and natural speaker in English. Understanding idioms is also massively important in under-
standing the wealth of business content out there on the web, whether it be podcasts, articles,
or presentations.

However, mark my words, err on the side of caution not to make your idioms rain like cats and
dogs in your use of the tongue, as it can end up not doing the trick!

However, be careful not to overuse idioms in your speech! If you do so, your speech can
sound rather unnatural!
Idioms for business

Contents
1. Idioms for meetings
2. Idioms for negotiations
3. Idioms for emails
4. Idioms for business lunches
5. Idioms for presentations
Idioms for business
IDIOMS FOR MEETINGS
Jack: Ok, so it seems as if there’s a lot of
ground we need to cover today. Just so
we’re all on the same page, Jill, can you
explain what happened?
Jill: Well, in a nutshell, we’ve been experi-
encing some issues with the site, which has
affected sales.
Dave: Some issues? That’s putting it lightly!
It was down for 2 entire days! I’m not sure
what the IT department are playing at!
Jack: Ok, thanks Dave. Let’s not get too far
off track here. Laying blame on people
rarely helps.
Dave: I’m sorry, Jack, but these problems
are really getting out of hand.
Jack: Ok, we need to speak about a lot to-
day. Just so we all understand each other,
Jill, can you explain what happened?
Jill: Well, if I need to speak simply, we’ve
been experiencing some issues with the
site, which has affected sales.
Dave: Some issues? You’re not explaining
everything fully! It was down for 2 entire
days! I’m not sure what stupid things the
IT department are doing!
Jack: Ok, thanks Dave. Let’s focus on the
issues and not blame people for mistakes.
Dave: I’m sorry, Jack, but these problems
are really becoming too much.
Idioms for business

• “to cover a lot of ground”: to have a lot of topics to discuss in a meeting and have
a productive discussion.
• “to be on the same page as sbd”: when everybody has the same information as
each other, and therefore can think in a similar way with no room for confusion.
• “in a nutshell”: in summary; when a complex situation is explained in a short way.
• “to put sth lightly”: to make an understatement; when sth is more serious or
extreme than your words suggest.
• “I don’t know what they’re playing at!”: “I don’t know what they are doing!”;
a phrase used when you think somebody is working in a stupid and ineffective way.
• “to get too far off track”: to go off the subject; when the initial focus on the conversation/
meeting is lost, usually because people are telling anecdotes or arguing.
• “to lay blame on sbd”: when you accuse another person of being the reason
something went wrong.
• “to get out of hand”: when something becomes out of control

Complete the following sentences with the correct idiomatic phrase taken from above
(you may need to change the form of the verb):
1. That last email should’ve cleared everything up and meant we’re _____________ now.
2. The amount of problems is really _____________, it’s too much to be ‘just a mistake’.
3. That was a productive meeting, we really _____________ today.
4. So, _____________, we did a terrible job. I’ll explain in more detail in the report.
5. That’s a great story, but let’s not _____________ here.
6. ‘Slightly ugly’ is definitely _____________. It looks absolutely hideous!
Idioms for business

IDIOMS FOR NEGOTIATIONS

Ed: So, we’d like to make you an offer.
Julia: Wow, that’s great.
Ed: After weighing up your experience and
what you can bring to the team, we’ve de-
cided we can offer $35,000.
Julia: Oh, I expected quite a bit higher than
that. Is there not any room to negotiate?
Ed: Well, what did you have in mind?
Julia: I was really expecting $40,000 given
my flawless track record.
Ed: That’s definitely out of our range.
I suppose we could stretch to $37,000,
however.
Ed: So, we’d like to make you an offer.
Julia: Wow, that’s great.
Ed: After considering your experience and
what you can bring to the team, we’ve
decided we can offer $35,000.
Julia: Oh, I expected quite a bit higher than
that. Can we negotiate?
Ed: Well, what would you like to offer?
Julia: I was really expecting $40,000 given
my flawless track record.
Ed: That’s definitely too expensive for us.
I suppose we can consider $37,000, however.

Julia: Make it $38,000 and we have a deal. Julia: Make it $38,000 and we have a deal.

Ed: I’m sorry, but we’re going to have to Ed: I’m sorry, but we cannot offer more than 37.
stand firm on 37.
Idioms for business

• “to weigh up sth” : to consider sth; to think carefully about the advantages and
disadvantages of sth before making a decision
• “to have room to negotiate” : when there is a possibility to negotiate, when
the 2 parties are flexible when it comes to agreeing on a price.
• “to have sth in mind” : to be thinking about
• “to be out of sbd’s range” : when your offer is too big for the other person to accept
• “to stretch to [an amount]” : when you state that you can accept an offer, but it is
much more expensive than you had expected.
• “to stand firm on [an amount]”: when you state that your current offer is the final offer
and you will not be negotiating any further.

Complete the following sentences with the correct idiomatic phrase taken from above
(you may need to change the form of the verb):
1. I’m afraid that offer is way too low for more. Surely there’s some _____________?
2. If you include the bonuses, I guess we could _____________£15,000.
3. After _____________ your offer, we’ve decided to accept!
4. We could potentially negotiate. How much did you _____________?
5. There’s no way we can offer any more. We will be__________ on £50,000. No more, no less.
6. $100,000 is ridiculous. That’s way _____________and you know it.
Idioms for business
IDIOMS FOR EMAILS
Hey Dana,
Sorry I couldn’t make it to the meeting
earlier, I’ve got so much on my plate at the
moment. I’m feeling a bit out of the loop
with the conference arrangements, could
you bring me up to speed with everything?
Steph
Hey Steph,
Well, it’s been one thing after another with
the venue, so we’ve decided to pull the
plug and go back to the drawing board.
Maybe you could reach out to your con-
tacts to try and sort something out?
Dana
Hey Dana,
Sorry I couldn’t make it to the meeting ear-
lier, I’m really busy at the moment. I haven’t
heard much about the conference arrange-
ments recently, could you update me on
everything?
Steph
Hey Steph,
Well, there’s been lots of problems with the
venue, so we’ve canceled our booking, and
are trying to think of a new plan. Maybe
you could email your contacts to organize
something?
Dana
Idioms for business

• “to have a lot on your plate” : to be very busy

• “to be out of the loop” : not to be updated on a situation/project
• “to bring sbd up to speed” : to give sbd all the updates about a project or job
so they know what to do
• “it’s been one thing after another” : an expression used to complain that something
has provided constant problems
• “to pull the plug” : to cancel something because it’s become too expensive/problematic
• “to go back to the drawing board”: to restart something; start something again
from the beginning, usually because the initial plan failed.
• “to reach out to sbd” : to contact sbd, usually because you need/want sth.
• “to sort sth out” : to arrange a solution to a problem

Complete the following sentences with the correct idiomatic phrase taken from above
(you may need to change the form of the verb):
1. I’m afraid we have to _____________, it’s getting way too expensive for little benefit.
2. Can you _____________ them and ask if they can do it for less?
3. It’s obviously not working. We’re going to have to _____________ and find another solution.
4. You must have a _____________ right now with all these new projects.
5. Can you summarize what’s been happening? I’m a little _____________ with everything.
6. It’s really been _____________ with these guys; nothing but problems.
Idioms for business
IDIOMS FOR BUSINESS LUNCHES
Mark: Mr. Robertson?
Neil: Yes, and you must be Mark? Very nice
to meet you at long last.
Mark: You too. Thank you so much for
working me into your schedule today.
Neil: Not a problem. I’ve heard a great deal
about your recent projects and would love
to hear more. Can I offer you anything be-
fore we start? A drink, perhaps?
Mark: A coffee would go down a treat.
Neil: So how have you been finding our
city so far?
Mark: Well, to be honest, I’ve been rushed
off my feet ever since arriving, and haven’t
had a chance to take in the sights.
Mark: Mr. Robertson?
Neil: Yes, and you must be Mark? It is very
nice to finally meet you.
Mark: You too. Thank you so much for
agreeing to meet me today.
Neil: Not a problem. I’ve heard many things
about your recent projects and would love
to hear more. Can I offer you anything
before we start? A drink, perhaps?
Mark: A coffee would be nice.
Neil: So what do you think of our city?
Mark: Well, to be honest, I’ve been very busy
ever since arriving, and haven’t had
a chance to see anything.
Idioms for business

• “at long last” : an expression which shows an unexpectedly long amount of time
has passed before something is finally happening.
• “to work sbd into your schedule” : to reserve some time in your schedule to meet sbd,
even when your schedule is already quite full.
• “a great deal” : a big amount
• “to go down a treat” : to be perfect for the moment, usually referring to food and drink.
• “how have you been finding…?” : what is your opinion of…. so far?
• “to be rushed off your feet” : to be incredibly busy
• “to take in the sights” : to enjoy sightseeing in a new city in a leisurely way

Complete the following sentences with the correct idiomatic phrase taken from above
(you may need to change the form of the verb):
1. There been a _____________ of people asking about our new product.
2. Ah, this beer is really _____________. It’s just what I needed!
3. I’ve been _____________ all week; it’s non-stop work, work, work!
4. It’s nice to find the time to _____________, it’s a really beautiful city.
5. How have _____________ the hotel you’re staying at? I had a great stay there.
6. It’s great to see you _____________! Finally, after 2 years of Zoom calls!
7. I can’t this week, but I can _____________ next week. Perhaps Tuesday at 10?
Idioms for business
IDIOMS FOR PRESENTATIONS
Good morning. I’d like to kick off this pres-
entation thanking each and every one of
you here today. It’s been a record-break-
ing quarter, with sales literally through the
roof. This has all been down to you and
your hard work and you all deserve a mas-
sive pat on the back.
Today I’d like to run through our game
plan for the upcoming quarter, on how we
are going to get our new products off the
ground to give our competitors a serious
run for their money!
Firstly, ….
Good morning. I’d like to start this pres-
entation thanking each and every one of
you here today. It’s been a record-breaking
quarter, with very successful sales. This is a
result of you and your hard work and I would
like to acknowledge your success.
Today I’d like to give you information about
our strategy for the upcoming quarter, on
how we are going to develop our prod-
ucts to be more competitive in the market
against our competitors.
Firstly, ….
Idioms for business

• “to kick off sth” : to start sth

• “to be through the roof” : a very high amount, usually much higher than expected
• “to be down to sth” : a reason for something happening
• “to deserve a pat on the back” : an expression used when you have done a great job,
and your colleagues/superiors want to acknowledge this
• “to run through the game plan” : to describe a strategy or plan in detail with a team
• “to get a product off the ground” : to develop a new product and launch it to market
• “to give someone a run for their money”: when you provide strong competition
for someone

Complete the following sentences with the correct idiomatic phrase taken from above
(you may need to change the form of the verb):
1. It’s a real shame we lost today. I thought we gave them a real _____________ and put in
a great performance.
2. You all deserve a _____________ for the amount of effort and energy you’ve put into
this project.
3. Ok, let’s _____________, so we all know what we’re aiming for, and who’s doing what.
4. Demand has really been _____________ since we started the marketing campaign.
5. I’d say our success has been _____________ being an efficient, well-run team.
6. Let’s _____________ the meeting by saying a big congratulations to Bob.
Idioms for business

ANSWER KEY
IDIOMS FOR MEETINGS
1. That last email should’ve cleared everything up and meant we’re ALL ON THE SAME PAGE
now.
2. The amount of problems is really GETTING OUT OF HAND, it’s too much to be ‘just a mistake’.
3. That was a productive meeting, we really covered A LOT OF GROUND today.
4. So, IN A NUTSHELL, we did a terrible job. I’ll explain in more detail in the report.
5. That’s a great story, but let’s not GET TOO FAR OFF TRACK here.
6. ‘Slightly ugly’ is definitely PUTTING IT LIGHTLY. It looks absolutely hideous!

IDIOMS FOR NEGOTIATIONS

1. I’m afraid that offer is way too low for more. Surely there’s some ROOM FOR NEGOTATION?
2. If you include the bonuses, I guess we could STRETCH TO £15,000.
3. After WEIGHING UP your offer, we’ve decided to accept!
4. We could potentially negotiate. How much did you HAVE IN MIND?
5. There’s no way we can offer any more. We will be STANDING FIRM on £50,000.
No more, no less.
6. $100,000 is ridiculous. That’s way OUT OF OUR RANGE and you know it.

IDIOMS FOR EMAILS

1. I’m afraid we have to PULL THE PLUG, it’s getting way too expensive for little benefit.
2. Can you REACH OUT TO them and ask if they can do it for less?
3. It’s obviously not working. We’re going to have to GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD and
find another solution.
4. You must have a LOT ON YOUR PLATE right now with all these new projects.
5. Can you summarize what’s been happening? I’m a little OUT OF THE LOOP with everything.
6. It’s really been ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER with these guys; nothing but problems.
 Idioms for business

IDIOMS FOR BUSINESS LUNCHES

1. There been a GREAT DEAL of people asking about our new product.
2. Ah, this beer is really GOING DOWN A TREAT. It’s just what I needed!
3. I’ve been RUSHED OFF MY FEET all week; it’s non-stop work, work, work!
4. It’s nice to find the time to TAKE IN THE SIGHTS, it’s a really beautiful city.
5. How have YOU BEEN FINDING the hotel you’re staying at? I had a great stay there.
6. It’s great to see you AT LONG LAST! Finally, after 2 years of Zoom calls!
7. I can’t this week, but I can WORK YOU INTO MY SCHEDULE next week. Perhaps Tuesday at 10?

IDIOMS FOR PRESENTATIONS

1. It’s a real shame we lost today. I thought we gave them a real RUN FOR THEIR MONEY and put
in a great performance.
2. You all deserve a PAT ON THE BACK for the amount of effort and energy you’ve put into this
project.
3. Ok, let’s RUN THROUGH THE GAME PLAN, so we all know what we’re aiming for, and who’s
doing what.
4. Demand has really been THROUGH THE ROOF since we started the marketing campaign.
5. I’d say our success has been DOWN TO being an efficient, well-run team.
6. Let’s KICK OFF the meeting by saying a big congratulations to Bob.