Business Idioms 1

Question 1

It’s a LOSE-LOSE SITUATION

Answer 1

(Or NO-WIN SITUATION) when no choice is good

Question 2

You can try the product for free with NO STRINGS ATTACHED

Answer 2

no special conditions or restrictions

Question 3

OFF THE TOP OF ONE’S HEAD

Answer 3

I have no idea how many, off the top of my head I’d say about 20 (without thinking about it much or doing any research)

Question 4

We are ON A ROLL

Answer 4

experience prolonged success/good luck

“estar en racha”

Question 5

“24/7”

Answer 5

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

Question 6

we want to stay AHEAD OF THE CURVE / AHEAD OF THE PACK

Answer 6

more advanced than the competition

Question 7

ASAP

Answer 7

as soon as possible

Question 8

AT STAKE

Answer 8

There’s a lot at stake. = there’s a lot at risk (en juego)

Question 9

to give you a BALLPARK FIGURE..

Answer 9

A rough estimate

Question 10

we mustn’t lose sight of THE BIG PICTURE

Answer 10

the situation as a whole

Question 11

Let’s CALL IT A DAY

Answer 11

agree to stop doing something

Question 12

BLUE COLLAR

Answer 12

A “blue collar worker” is someone who works with his hands (manufacturing, construction, maintenance, etc.). The opposite is a “white collar worker”, someone who works in an office.

Question 13

It’s important that we do everything BY THE BOOK

Answer 13

According to the rules

Question 14

Let’s GET DOWN TO BUSINESS

Answer 14

Stop making small talk and start talking about serious topics

Question 15

GIVE THE THUMBS UP

GIVE THE THUMBS DOWN

Answer 15

Give approval

Deny approval

Question 16

It’s not clear, it’s a GRAY AREA

Answer 16

Not easily categorized

Question 17

The iPhone was a GROUND-BREAKING piece of technology

Answer 17

Innovative, pioneering

Question 18

IN A NUTSHELL,

Answer 18

In the fewest possible words,

Question 19

The company is IN THE BLACK / IN THE RED

Answer 19

making a profit / not making a profit

Question 20

It’s the LAST STRAW

Answer 20

(“la gota que colma el vaso”)

Question 21

We are ON THE SAME PAGE

Answer 21

in agreement

Question 22

Keep me IN THE LOOP

Answer 22

aware of information about a particular matter.

The opposite “out of the loop”: unaware of information

Question 23

The new law is going to create a lot of RED TAPE

Answer 23

Excessive bureaucracy

Question 24

We don’t always SEE EYE TO EYE

Answer 24

to agree

Question 25

SMALL TALK

Answer 25

Polite conversation about unimportant things.

E.g. we typically spend 5 minutes making small talk before the meetings.

Question 26

we have STATE-OF-THE-ART facilities

Answer 26

modern, technologically advanced

Question 27

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

Answer 27

think creatively, think of unconventional solutions

Question 28

WORD OF MOUTH

Answer 28

personal recommendation (“el boca a boca”)

Question 29

We are in the SAME BOAT

Answer 29

in the same circumstances

Question 30

LEARN THE ROPES

Answer 30

Learn the basics of something

E.g. I like my new job, I’m starting to learn the ropes.

Question 31

LOOPHOLE

Answer 31

Ambiguity in the law (“laguna legal”)