Difference between revisions of "Language/English/Vocabulary/Helpful-Phrases-for-the-Business-World"
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In today's lesson you will learn some essential vocabulary to help you in the business English world. To get ahead in this world, it’s important to know the language you will be using every day. | In today's lesson you will learn some essential vocabulary to help you in the business English world. To get ahead in this world, it’s important to know the language you will be using every day. | ||
I hope | I hope you find this guide helpful! | ||
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Revision as of 15:24, 31 December 2016
In today's lesson you will learn some essential vocabulary to help you in the business English world. To get ahead in this world, it’s important to know the language you will be using every day.
I hope you find this guide helpful!
Phrase | Meaning |
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an old hand | a person who has long experience, especially in one place.
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ASAP | "ASAP" is an acronym for "as soon as possible.
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in the 11th hour | very late, at the very last minute.
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back to square one | To go "back to square one" means to start something over again.
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backroom deal | A "backroom deal" is an agreement or decision that is made without the public knowing about it.
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ballpark number/figure | A "ballpark number" is a very inexact estimate.
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behind someone's back | To do something "behind someone's back" means to do something without someone's knowledge and in an unfair way.
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behind the scenes | What happens in secret or not in front of the general public is said to happen "behind the scenes."
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bring to the table | whatever you can possibly offer.
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carve out a niche | find a special market that you can control.
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a deadline | the latest date by which something should be finished.
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deep pockets | have a lot of money.
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down time | when equipment of facilities are not available, so you cannot work.
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easy come, easy go | "Easy come, easy go," is an expression used to communicate that something gained easily is also lost easily.
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fifty-fifty | "Fifty-fifty" means something is divided equally -- 50% for one party, 50% for the other party.
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free ride | get benefit at no cost.
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from day one | from the beginning.
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from the ground up | If you start a business, project, or something else from zero, you start it "from the ground up."
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game plan | A "game plan" is a strategy or plan.
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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.
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get down to business | To "get down to business" means to stop making small talk and start talking about serious topics related to business.
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get something off the ground | To "get something off the ground" means to start a project or business.
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get the ball rolling | To "get the ball rolling" means to start something (a project, for example).
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get your foot in the door | have a small opportunity that can become a big opportunity in the future, if you do good work.
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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.
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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.
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give the thumbs down | To "give something or someone the thumbs down" means to deny approval.
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give the thumbs up | To "give something or someone the thumbs up" means to give approval.
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go broke | To "go broke" means to go bankrupt or to lose all the money a person or business had.
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go down the drain | When someone wastes or loses something, it is said to "go down the drain."
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go the extra mile | To "go the extra mile" means to do more than what people expect.
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go through the roof | If something is "going through the roof," it means it is rapidly increasing.
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gray area | If something is in a "gray area," it means that it is something undefined and not easily categorized.
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ground-breaking | If something is "ground-breaking," it means it is new and innovative.
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in a nutshell | "In a nutshell" means in a few words.
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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.
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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.
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in the red | If a company is "in the red," it means that is not profitable and is operating at a loss.
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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.
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learn the ropes | To "learn the ropes" means to learn the basics of something.
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long shot | A "long shot" is something that has a very low probability of happening.
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on a shoestring | with limited money.
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rock the boat | To "rock the boat" means to cause problems or disrupt a peaceful situation.
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round-the-clock | "Round the clock" means 24 hours a day. |
run/go around in circles | To "run (or go) around in circles" means to do the same thing over and over again without getting any results.
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safe bet | A "safe bet" means something that will probably happen.
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same boat | If people are in the same situation, they are in the "same boat." |
see eye to eye | To "see eye to eye" with someone means to agree with that person.
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see something through | To "see something through" means to do something until it is finished.
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sever ties | To "sever ties" means to end a relationship.
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shoot something down | To "shoot something down" means to reject something, such as a proposal or idea.
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sky's the limit | "The sky's the limit" if there is no limit to what can be achieved.
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small talk | "Small talk" is conversation about unimportant topics that do not offend people (the weather, for example).
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smooth/clear sailing | "Smooth sailing" is a term used to describe a situation where success is achieved without difficulties.
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snail mail | "Snail mail" is the term used for the traditional mail that goes through the post office. |
stand one's ground | To "stand one's ground" means to not change one's opinion or position.
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start off on the right foot | To "start off on the right foot" means to start something in a positive way.
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start off on the wrong foot | To "start off on the wrong foot" means to start something in a negative way.
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take the bull by the horns | To "take the bull by the horns" means to directly confront a difficult situation.
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talk someone into something | To "talk someone into something" means to convince someone to do something.
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talk someone out of something | To "talk someone out of something" means to convince someone not to do something.
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the elephant in the room | "The elephant in the room" refers to an obvious problem or controversial issue that no one wants to talk about.
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think big | To "think big" means to have ambitious goals and big plans for the future.
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think outside the box | To "think outside the box" means to think of creative, unconventional solutions instead of common ones.
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throw in the towel | To "throw in the towel" means to quit.
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time's up | "Time's up" means that the time for something or someone has ended.
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touch base | To "touch base" means to make contact with someone.
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under the table | Something done secretly (and usually illegally) in the business world is done "under the table."
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up in the air | If something is undecided, it is "up in the air." |
uphill battle | Something that is difficult to achieve because of obstacles and difficulties is an "uphill battle."
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upper hand | If someone has an advantage over someone else, he or she has the "upper hand."
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win-win situation | A "win-win situation" is a situation where everyone involved gains something.
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word of mouth | If something spreads by "word of mouth," people hear about it through informal conversation with friends, family members, acquaintances, etc.
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writing on the wall | The "writing on the wall" refers to the evidence and clues that something (usually negative) is going to happen.
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yes man | A "yes man" is someone who always agrees with his or her superiors.
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