Business Idioms: Deck 2 of 4 Flashcards
get something off the ground
To “get something off the ground” means to start a project or business.
get the ball rolling
To “get the ball rolling” means to start something (a project, for example).
get/be on the good side of someone
If someone likes you, you are “on the good side” of that person.
get/have one’s foot in the door
To “get or have one’s foot in the door” means to take a low-level position with a company with the goal of eventually getting a better position with the same company.
give someone a pat on the back
To “give someone a pat on the back” means to tell someone that they did a good job.
give the thumbs down
To “give something or someone the thumbs down” means to deny approval.
give the thumbs up
To “give something or someone the thumbs up” means to give approval.
go broke
To “go broke” means to go bankrupt or to lose all the money a person or business had.
go down the drain
When someone wastes or loses something, it is said to “go down the drain.”
go the extra mile
To “go the extra mile” means to do more than what people expect.
go through the roof
If something is “going through the roof,” it means it is rapidly increasing.
gray area
If something is in a “gray area,” it means that it is something undefined and not easily categorized.
ground-breaking
If something is “ground-breaking,” it means it is new and innovative.
hands are tied
Someone’s “hands are tied” if they do not have control over a situation.
have someone’s work cut out
If you have a lot of work to do or a particularly difficult assignment, you “have your work cut out for you.”
hit the nail on the head
To “hit the nail on the head” means to do or say something 100% correctly.
in a nutshell
“In a nutshell” means in a few words.
in full swing
If a project is “in full swing,” it means that it has been completely started and that it is progressing or moving as fast as it ever will.
in the black
If a company is “in the black,” it means that it is making a profit.
in the driver’s seat
To be “in the driver’s seat” means to be in control.
in the red
If a company is “in the red,” it means that is not profitable and is operating at a loss.
keep one’s eye on the ball
To “keep one’s eye on the ball” means to give something one’s full attention and to not lose focus.
last straw
The “last straw” means the last annoyance, disturbance, or betrayal which causes someone to give up, lose their patience, or become angry.
learn the ropes
To “learn the ropes” means to learn the basics of something.
long shot
A “long shot” is something that has a very low probability of happening.
loophole
A legal “loophole” occurs if a law is unclear or omits information. This lack of legal clarity allows people or corporations to pay less in taxes or gain some other advantage.
lose ground (opposite: gain ground)
To “lose ground” means to lose some type of an advantage (market share, for example) to a competitor.
lose-lose situation (or no-win situation)
A “lose-lose situation” is when there will be a negative outcome regardless of what decision is made.
nine-to-five
A “nine-to-five” is a job during normal working hours. The term came into existence because many work days start at 9 a.m. and end at 5 p.m.
no brainer
If a decision is really obvious or really easy to make, the decision is a “no brainer.”
