Business Idioms: Deck 1 of 4 Flashcards
This is the first deck of a four part series to help learn 120 common business Idioms.
24/7
“24/7” means 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
a tough break
When something unfortunate happens, it can be called a “tough break.”
ahead of the curve
To be “ahead of the curve” means to be more advanced than the competition.
ahead of the pack
To be “ahead of the pack” means to be better or more successful than the competition.
ASAP
“ASAP” is an acronym for “as soon as possible.”
at stake
“At stake” means at risk.
back to square one
To go “back to square one” means to start something over again.
back to the drawing board
To go “back to the drawing board” means to start something over and go back to the planning stage.
backroom deal
A “backroom deal” is an agreement or decision that is made without the public knowing about it.
ballpark number/figure
A “ballpark number” is a very inexact estimate
behind the scenes
What happens in secret or not in front of the general public is said to happen “behind the scenes.”
big picture
Everything that is involved with a particular situation is called “the big picture.”
blue collar
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.
by the book
To do things “by the book” means to do things according to company policy or the law. It means to follow the rules 100%.
call it a day
To “call it a day” means to decide to stop working for the day.
catch someone off guard
To “catch someone off guard” means to surprise someone by doing something that he or she was not expecting.
cave (or cave in)
To “cave” or “cave in” means to give in or agree to something that someone previously did not want to accept.
change of pace
“A change of pace” is something different from a normal routine or schedule.
come up short
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.
corner a market
To “corner a market” means to dominate a particular market.
cut corners
To “cut corners” means to take shortcuts and find an easier or cheaper way to do something.
cut one’s losses
To “cut one’s losses” means to stop doing something that is unproductive and won’t ever generate results.
cut-throat
“Cut-throat” is used to describe something that is very intense, aggressive, and merciless.
diamond in the rough
A “diamond in the rough” is something or someone that has a lot of potential but first requires a lot of work.
easy come, easy go
“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.
fifty-fifty
“Fifty-fifty” means something is divided equally – 50% for one party, 50% for the other party.
from the ground up
If you start a business, project, or something else from zero, you start it “from the ground up.”
game plan
A “game plan” is a strategy or plan.
get back in/into the swing of things
To “get back in/into the swing of things” means to get used to doing something again after having a break from that activity
get down to business
To “get down to business” means to stop making small talk and start talking about serious topics related to business.
