Common

Expressions in
Business
 Idiomatic expressions (Idioms)
• Idioms exist in every language.
• They are words or phrases that aren’t meant to be taken literally.
• Idioms are expressions that help us describe an exact situation in a
different, more creative way.
• Idioms help us say many things in just a few words. They help us enrich
our language, they are nicer to listen to and make the conversation less
monotonous and mor funny.
• Idioms are often used by native speakers, so if you wanna sound like one,
you should start using them.
• Idioms help us be more confident with our target language and thus be
“as cool as a cucumber.”
b
h
f
c
d
e
a
g
get the ball rolling
start off on the right foot
keep someone on their toes
think outside the box
hit the nail on the head
bring something to the table
go back to square one
cut your losses
 off on the right foot
your losses

everyone on their
toes
to the table
outside the box
the ball rolling
 get the ball rolling

go back to square one

bring something to the table

cut our losses

start off on the right
foot
 hit the nail on the head

think out of the box

keep you on your toes

 NG

T
F

T
NG
T
on on

from ahead

in behind

by up
 up

by
in
ahead
on

from

on
behind
 on the
ball 2
from the
ground up 1
in the
loop 2
by the book 2
on the
same page 1
ahead of
1
the game
behind the
scenes
1
up in the air 2
 ● raise the bar
•to be better than what went before
•to raise standards or expectations
•to set higher rules/goals

Apple iPhone is really raising the bar with the latest

model. It’s amazing.
The company promises to raise the bar for safety
and comfort in its upcoming car model.
● word of mouth
• the process of telling people you know about a 
particular product or service, usually because you 
think it is good and want to encourage them to try it

We get most of our work through word-of-mouth 

recommendations.
● twist someone’s arm
 
•to persuade someone to do something they do
not want to do

I didn't want to go but Linda

twisted my arm.
 ● go the extra mile
 
•to make more effort than is expected
 of you
He's a nice guy, always ready to
go the extra mile for his friends.
 ● all in the same boat
 
•in the same difficult situation as someone else

None of us has any money, so

we're all in the same boat.
 ● the ball is in your court
 
•it is up to you to make the next move
•it is your turn to make the decision
•It is your responsibility to take the next action
• The entire family has stood by his decision to move to
another country but the ball is in his court if he decides
to change his mind at the last minute.
• We did what we could, and now the ball is in
your court.
 ● cut corners
 
•to do something the easiest, cheapest, or fastest
way to save time or money at the expense of
quality
They’re always finding ways to cut
corners. I won’t cut corners just to save
money. I put quality first.