Business Idioms: Deck 1 of 4

Question 1

24/7

Answer 1

“24/7” means 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Question 2

a tough break

Answer 2

When something unfortunate happens, it can be called a “tough break.”

Question 3

ahead of the curve

Answer 3

To be “ahead of the curve” means to be more advanced than the competition.

Question 4

ahead of the pack

Answer 4

To be “ahead of the pack” means to be better or more successful than the competition.

Question 5

ASAP

Answer 5

“ASAP” is an acronym for “as soon as possible.”

Question 6

at stake

Answer 6

“At stake” means at risk.

Question 7

back to square one

Answer 7

To go “back to square one” means to start something over again.

Question 8

back to the drawing board

Answer 8

To go “back to the drawing board” means to start something over and go back to the planning stage.

Question 9

backroom deal

Answer 9

A “backroom deal” is an agreement or decision that is made without the public knowing about it.

Question 10

ballpark number/figure

Answer 10

A “ballpark number” is a very inexact estimate

Question 11

behind the scenes

Answer 11

What happens in secret or not in front of the general public is said to happen “behind the scenes.”

Question 12

big picture

Answer 12

Everything that is involved with a particular situation is called “the big picture.”

Question 13

blue collar

Answer 13

A “blue collar worker” is someone who works with his hands (manufacturing, construction, maintenance, etc.). The opposite is a “white collar worker.” A white collar worker is someone who works in an office (customer service, management, sales, etc.). “Blue collar” (and “white collar”) can also be used to describe a job, position, or a place.

Question 14

by the book

Answer 14

To do things “by the book” means to do things according to company policy or the law. It means to follow the rules 100%.

Question 15

call it a day

Answer 15

To “call it a day” means to decide to stop working for the day.

Question 16

catch someone off guard

Answer 16

To “catch someone off guard” means to surprise someone by doing something that he or she was not expecting.

Question 17

cave (or cave in)

Answer 17

To “cave” or “cave in” means to give in or agree to something that someone previously did not want to accept.

Question 18

change of pace

Answer 18

“A change of pace” is something different from a normal routine or schedule.

Question 19

come up short

Answer 19

To “come up short” means to try to achieve something but fail. We often say that someone has “come up short” when someone fails to achieve a goal, but not completely.

Question 20

corner a market

Answer 20

To “corner a market” means to dominate a particular market.

Question 21

cut corners

Answer 21

To “cut corners” means to take shortcuts and find an easier or cheaper way to do something.

Question 22

cut one’s losses

Answer 22

To “cut one’s losses” means to stop doing something that is unproductive and won’t ever generate results.

Question 23

cut-throat

Answer 23

“Cut-throat” is used to describe something that is very intense, aggressive, and merciless.

Question 24

diamond in the rough

Answer 24

A “diamond in the rough” is something or someone that has a lot of potential but first requires a lot of work.

Question 25

easy come, easy go

Answer 25

“Easy come, easy go,” is an expression used to communicate that something gained easily is also lost easily. We often use this expression after something has been lost.

Question 26

fifty-fifty

Answer 26

“Fifty-fifty” means something is divided equally – 50% for one party, 50% for the other party.

Question 27

from the ground up

Answer 27

If you start a business, project, or something else from zero, you start it “from the ground up.”

Question 28

game plan

Answer 28

A “game plan” is a strategy or plan.

Question 29

get back in/into the swing of things

Answer 29

To “get back in/into the swing of things” means to get used to doing something again after having a break from that activity

Question 30

get down to business

Answer 30

To “get down to business” means to stop making small talk and start talking about serious topics related to business.