BUSINESS IDIOMS

IDIOM

• A group of words established by usage as

having a meaning not driven from those of the
individual words (e.g. Over the moon)
Don’t do anything naughty
when the new manager is
here. He does everything by
the book.
Don’t do anything naughty
when the new manager is
here. He never breaks the
rules.
I’m sorry. My hands are tied
today. Maybe I can help you
tomorrow.

I’m sorry. I have other

things I need to do today. I
can help you tomorrow.
It’s a long shot, but if we are
lucky, our boss might let us
take our A.L at the same
time.
It’s not probable (likely), but
if we are lucky, our boss
might let us take our A.L at
the same time.
Why didn’t you accept your
Boss’s promotion offer?!
That’s a no-brainer!

Why didn’t you accept your

Boss’s promotion offer?!
That’s a very very easy
decision!
I understand the Boss’s
email now. Thanks for
explaining. Now we are on
the same page.
I understand the Boss’s
email now. Thanks for
explaining. Now we have
the same idea.
I know you want to go to
HKU but you should apply to
many schools. Don’t put all
of your eggs in one basket!
I know you want to go to
HKU but you should apply to
many schools. Don’t use all
of your time/money/energy
on one option.
The boss is angry so we
should be on time everyday
this week. Don’t rock the
boat until he is happy again.
The boss is angry so we
should be on time everyday
this week. Don’t do
anything he might not like
until he is happy again.
None of us has any
money left, so we’re
all in the same boat.
None of us has any
money left, so we’re all
in the same situation.
You shouldn’t shoot down
your co-workers ideas
during a brainstorming
session.
You shouldn’t reject
(criticize) your co-workers
ideas during a brainstorming
session.
Our current approach will
get us nowhere. We have
to think outside the box.

Our current approach will

get us nowhere. We have to
think creatively.
Our international
expansion plan is still
up in the air.

Our international expansion

plan is still not confirmed.
(We don’t know if the
company will use the plan)
The convenience store on
the corner is open 24/7.

The convenience store on

the corner is open all day
everyday.
I asked our lawyers if it I asked our lawyers if it was
was legal, and they said it legal, and they said it wasn't
wasn't clear. It's a gray clear. It's a little bit legal
area. and a little bit illegal.
Some people complain that
millionaires avoid paying
taxes by finding loopholes in
tax laws.
Some people complain that
millionaires avoid paying
taxes by finding special
problems in tax laws.
If you want to fill out form 52-E and
send it to the government, you have
to do it using snail mail. They don't
allow you to scan the document.

If you want to fill out form 52-E and

send it to the government, you have
to do it using normal (paper) mail.
They don't allow you to scan the
document.
A: I’m going to be a professional
basketball player.
B: Bwahahahaha!!!!
A: I’m not joking! I mean business!

A: I’m going to be a professional

basketball player.
B: Bwahahahaha!!!!
A: I’m not joking! I’m serious!
I’ll help you finish your I’ll help you finish
homework but you have to your homework but
buy me dinner. If you you have to buy me
scratch my back I’ll dinner. If you help
scratch yours. me then I’ll help you.
THANK YOU