Business Idioms: Deck 2 of 4

Question 1

get something off the ground

Answer 1

To “get something off the ground” means to start a project or business.

Question 2

get the ball rolling

Answer 2

To “get the ball rolling” means to start something (a project, for example).

Question 3

get/be on the good side of someone

Answer 3

If someone likes you, you are “on the good side” of that person.

Question 4

get/have one’s foot in the door

Answer 4

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.

Question 5

give someone a pat on the back

Answer 5

To “give someone a pat on the back” means to tell someone that they did a good job.

Question 6

give the thumbs down

Answer 6

To “give something or someone the thumbs down” means to deny approval.

Question 7

give the thumbs up

Answer 7

To “give something or someone the thumbs up” means to give approval.

Question 8

go broke

Answer 8

To “go broke” means to go bankrupt or to lose all the money a person or business had.

Question 9

go down the drain

Answer 9

When someone wastes or loses something, it is said to “go down the drain.”

Question 10

go the extra mile

Answer 10

To “go the extra mile” means to do more than what people expect.

Question 11

go through the roof

Answer 11

If something is “going through the roof,” it means it is rapidly increasing.

Question 12

gray area

Answer 12

If something is in a “gray area,” it means that it is something undefined and not easily categorized.

Question 13

ground-breaking

Answer 13

If something is “ground-breaking,” it means it is new and innovative.

Question 14

hands are tied

Answer 14

Someone’s “hands are tied” if they do not have control over a situation.

Question 15

have someone’s work cut out

Answer 15

If you have a lot of work to do or a particularly difficult assignment, you “have your work cut out for you.”

Question 16

hit the nail on the head

Answer 16

To “hit the nail on the head” means to do or say something 100% correctly.

Question 17

in a nutshell

Answer 17

“In a nutshell” means in a few words.

Question 18

in full swing

Answer 18

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.

Question 19

in the black

Answer 19

If a company is “in the black,” it means that it is making a profit.

Question 20

in the driver’s seat

Answer 20

To be “in the driver’s seat” means to be in control.

Question 21

in the red

Answer 21

If a company is “in the red,” it means that is not profitable and is operating at a loss.

Question 22

keep one’s eye on the ball

Answer 22

To “keep one’s eye on the ball” means to give something one’s full attention and to not lose focus.

Question 23

last straw

Answer 23

The “last straw” means the last annoyance, disturbance, or betrayal which causes someone to give up, lose their patience, or become angry.

Question 24

learn the ropes

Answer 24

To “learn the ropes” means to learn the basics of something.

Question 25

long shot

Answer 25

A “long shot” is something that has a very low probability of happening.

Question 26

loophole

Answer 26

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.

Question 27

lose ground (opposite: gain ground)

Answer 27

To “lose ground” means to lose some type of an advantage (market share, for example) to a competitor.

Question 28

lose-lose situation (or no-win situation)

Answer 28

A “lose-lose situation” is when there will be a negative outcome regardless of what decision is made.

Question 29

nine-to-five

Answer 29

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.

Question 30

no brainer

Answer 30

If a decision is really obvious or really easy to make, the decision is a “no brainer.”