Difference between revisions of "Language/English/Vocabulary/Helpful-Phrases-for-the-Business-World"

Example: "He can help us set up a company in Beijing. He's been working in China for many years and speaks Chinese fluently. He's an old China

   |To go "back to square one" means to start something over again.

   |A "backroom deal" is an agreement or decision that is made without the public knowing about it.

   |To do something "behind someone's back" means to do something without someone's knowledge and in an unfair way.

   |What happens in secret or not in front of the general public is said to happen "behind the scenes."

   |whatever you can possibly offer. Example: "I will meet with Teacher Joe's new company to show him what we can bring to the

table."

   |find a special market that you can control. Example: "To succeed in this competitive world, you have to focus on part of it. Try to

carve out a niche and be number one in that are."

   |have a lot of money. Example: "If there is a price war, we won't win because we don't have deep enough pockets."

   |when equipment of facilities are not available, so you cannot work. Example: "There will probably be a lot of down time at the

conference, so I'm bringing a lot of paperwork."

   |"Easy come, easy go," is an expression used to communicate that something gained easily is also lost easily.

   |"Fifty-fifty" means something is divided equally -- 50% for one party, 50% for the other party.

   |get benefit at no cost. Example: "Of course we should make them pay for our travel expenses. WHy should we give them a free

ride?"

   |from the beginning. Example: "Teacher Joe has been providing the best English-learning web site from day one!"

   |If you start a business, project, or something else from zero, you start it "from the ground up."

   |To "get back in/into the swing of things" means to get used to doing something again after having a break from that activity.

   |To "get down to business" means to stop making small talk and start talking about serious topics related to business.

   |To "get something off the ground" means to start a project or business.

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

   |have a small opportunity that can become a big opportunity in the future, if you do good work. Example: "Right now, I just want to get

moving up in the company."

   |If someone likes you, you are "on the good side" of that person.

   |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.

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

   |To "give something or someone the thumbs down" means to deny approval.

   |To "give something or someone the thumbs up" means to give approval.

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

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

   |To "go the extra mile" means to do more than what people expect.

   |If something is "going through the roof," it means it is rapidly increasing.

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

   |If something is "ground-breaking," it means it is new and innovative.

   |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.

   |If a company is "in the black," it means that it is making a profit.

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

   |To "keep one's eye on the ball" means to give something one's full attention and to not lose focus.

   |The "last straw" means the last annoyance, disturbance, or betrayal which causes someone to give up, lose their patience, or become

angry.

   |A "long shot" is something that has a very low probability of happening.

   |with limited money. Example: "They started their company on a shoestring and built it up to one of the largest companies in the

world!"

   |To "rock the boat" means to cause problems or disrupt a peaceful situation.

   |To "run (or go) around in circles" means to do the same thing over and over again without getting any results.

   |If people are in the same situation, they are in the "same boat."

   |To "see eye to eye" with someone means to agree with that person.

   |To "see something through" means to do something until it is finished.

   |To "shoot something down" means to reject something, such as a proposal or idea.

   |"The sky's the limit" if there is no limit to what can be achieved.

   |"Small talk" is conversation about unimportant topics that do not offend people (the weather, for example).

   |"Smooth sailing" is a term used to describe a situation where success is achieved without difficulties.

   |"Snail mail" is the term used for the traditional mail that goes through the post office.

   |To "stand one's ground" means to not change one's opinion or position.

   |To "start off on the right foot" means to start something in a positive way.

   |To "start off on the wrong foot" means to start something in a negative way.

   |To "take the bull by the horns" means to directly confront a difficult situation.

   |To "talk someone into something" means to convince someone to do something.

   |To "talk someone out of something" means to convince someone not to do something.

   |"The elephant in the room" refers to an obvious problem or controversial issue that no one wants to talk about.

   |To "think big" means to have ambitious goals and big plans for the future.

   |To "think outside the box" means to think of creative, unconventional solutions instead of common ones.

   |"Time's up" means that the time for something or someone has ended.

   |Something done secretly (and usually illegally) in the business world is done "under the table."

   |Something that is difficult to achieve because of obstacles and difficulties is an "uphill battle."

   |If someone has an advantage over someone else, he or she has the "upper hand."

   |A "win-win situation" is a situation where everyone involved gains something.

   |If something spreads by "word of mouth," people hear about it through informal conversation with friends, family members, acquaintances,

etc.

   |The "writing on the wall" refers to the evidence and clues that something (usually negative) is going to happen.

   |A "yes man" is someone who always agrees with his or her superiors.