LEARN THE ROPES

Meaning: Learn how to do things or learn how things work.

Examples:

 As a professional, you need to constantly learn the ropes to do really

well in your career.
 He still needs to learn the ropes, but he has great potential.

THAT WON’T CUT IT

Meaning: That will not be enough to do a task or cope with a situation.

Examples:

 You can cram for the test, but that probably won’t cut it. You will need
to study every day for several days in order to really understand the
material.

 They seem really upset. A simple apology won't cut it.

THE BALL IS IN YOUR COURT

Meaning: It’s your turn to make a decision or do something.

Examples:

 I’ve done what I can. Now the ball is in your court.

 Everybody in this company will support you if you decide to move to
another country but the ball is in your court if you decide to change
your mind at the last minute.
 BEHIND THE SCENES

Meaning: Done privately or secretly, rather than publicly.

Examples:

 There is a lot of negotiation going on behind the scenes.

 I can tell there is a lot of work behind the scenes.

ON THE SAME PAGE

Meaning: Understand each other and agree.

Examples:

 Before we begin the discussion, I want to make sure that we are all on
the same page.
 I have a great connection with my manager, I always feel we are on
the same page.

SLEEP ON IT

Meaning: Delay making a decision on something until the following

day.

Example:

 Let me sleep on it and give you an answer tomorrow.

 CALL IT A DAY

Meaning: Decide to stop working or doing an activity.

Examples:

 I think we should call it a day and go home.

 We have been working on this all day, why don’t we call it a day?

IN A NUTSHELL

Meaning: In summary, in a few words.

Examples:

 She put the matter in a nutshell.

 Our traffic is rising, customers are happy, and our revenue is still
growing; in a nutshell, our business is a success.

IT’S A LONG SHOT

Meaning: An attempt or guess with very small chance of succeeding

or being accurate.

Examples:

 I know it's a long shot, because there are many candidates, but I'm

going to apply for the manager's job.
 It's a long shot, but well worth trying.
 TO TOUCH BASE

Meaning: Briefly make or renew contact with someone. To update

someone or have a quick conversation with them.

Examples:

 I just wanted to touch base and make sure you hadn’t changed your
mind about seeing me.
 I just wanted to quickly touch base with you: did you get an email from
my secretary about the meeting?

IN THE BAG

Meaning: Certain or sure to be won, achieved, or obtained.

Examples:

 The election is in the bag.

 The negotiations are looking great, but the deal is not in the bag yet.

MOVE THE NEEDLE

Meaning: To make a difference; to have a noticeable impact on
something.
Examples: 
 They hired her to increase sales, but her strategies failed to move the
needle.
 We need to move the needle on global poverty.

MOVING PARTS
 Meaning: A complicated situation with a lot of variables or
components. Usually used when it would take too long to explain
something in detail.
Example: 
 We’ve looked at some venues and talked to sponsors and next week
we’re going to start working on the marketing for the event. There are
lots of moving parts, but luckily we have a great team.

CUT CORNERS
Meaning: To skip small but important steps.
Examples: 
 John’s team is making a lot of mistakes and it’s because they’re
always cutting corners.
 Whilst others may cut corners on small details, we insist on quality
items.

ON A SHOESTRING

Meaning: With very little money, with a small budget.

Examples:

 When I was younger, I traveled to Thailand on a shoestring.

 Surprisingly enough, the project was a success, even though we put it
together on a shoestring.

A WIN WIN SITUATION

Meaning: A situation where every outcome is a good outcome.
Example: 
 It will be a win-win situation for both foreign policy and the internal
market.
 Offering English training is a win-win situation -employees will gain
confidence and the organization will get a high ROI.

COLD AS A CUCUMBER

Meaning: Extremely calm, relaxed, and in control of your emotions.

Examples:

 She was cool as a cucumber before the interview because she was
well prepared.
 It was a very important meeting, but I stayed cool as a cucumber
because I knew our product was the best.

GO BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD

Meaning: Start over and go back to the beginning or the planning

stage.

Example:

 They should go back to the drawing board and review the whole issue
of employee training.

HOT POTATO

Meaning: A controversial subject that no one wants to talk about; often

an issue that makes everyone feel uncomfortable.

Examples:

 Gun control is a political hot potato.

 I try to avoid discussing about religion, it can be a hot potato.

TAKE WITH A GRAIN OF SALT

Meaning: Be a bit skeptical about it. Only believe part of it. (UK
version: take with a grain of salt)

Example:

 Take everything she says with a grain of salt, because she tends to
exaggerate.

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

Meaning: think in an original, creative way.

Example: 

 We'll need to think outside the box if we want to get this project off the
ground.

ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM

Meaning: An obvious issue people don't want to talk about.

Example:

 I know you all have very busy days, so perhaps we can start by
addressing the elephant in the room?