Language/English/Vocabulary/Helpful-Phrases-for-the-Business-World

In today's lesson you will learn some essential vocabulary to help you in the business English world.

To get ahead in business it’s important to know the language you will be using every day.

Here are some essential sentenses:

I hope that you find this guide helpful!

Phrase	Meaning
an old hand	a person who has long experience, especially in one place. 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 hand."
ASAP	"ASAP" is an acronym for "as soon as possible."
at the 11th hour	very late, at the very last minute
back to square one	To go "back to square one" means to start something over again.
backroom deal	A "backroom deal" is an agreement or decision that is made without the public knowing about it.
ballpark number/figure	A "ballpark number" is a very inexact estimate.
behind someone's back	To do something "behind someone's back" means to do something without someone's knowledge and in an unfair way.
behind the scenes	What happens in secret or not in front of the general public is said to happen "behind the scenes."
bring to the table	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."
carve out a niche	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."
deep pockets	have a lot of money. Example: "If there is a price war, we won't win because we don't have deep enough pockets."
down time	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	"Easy come, easy go," is an expression used to communicate that something gained easily is also lost easily.
fifty-fifty	"Fifty-fifty" means something is divided equally -- 50% for one party, 50% for the other party.
free ride	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 day one	from the beginning. Example: "Teacher Joe has been providing the best English-learning web site from day one!"
from the ground up	If you start a business, project, or something else from zero, you start it "from the ground up."
game plan	A "game plan" is a strategy or plan.
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.
get down to business	To "get down to business" means to stop making small talk and start talking about serious topics related to business.
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 your foot in the door	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 my foot in the door, so they can see what I can do. Next year I hope to start moving up in the company."
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.
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.
on a shoestring	with limited money. Example: "They started their company on a shoestring and built it up to one of the largest companies in the world!"
rock the boat	To "rock the boat" means to cause problems or disrupt a peaceful situation.
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.
safe bet	A "safe bet" means something that will probably happen.
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.
see something through	To "see something through" means to do something until it is finished.
sever ties	To "sever ties" means to end a relationship.
shoot something down	To "shoot something down" means to reject something, such as a proposal or idea.
sky's the limit	"The sky's the limit" if there is no limit to what can be achieved.
small talk	"Small talk" is conversation about unimportant topics that do not offend people (the weather, for example).
smooth/clear sailing	"Smooth sailing" is a term used to describe a situation where success is achieved without difficulties.
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.
start off on the right foot	To "start off on the right foot" means to start something in a positive way.
start off on the wrong foot	To "start off on the wrong foot" means to start something in a negative way.
take the bull by the horns	To "take the bull by the horns" means to directly confront a difficult situation.
talk someone into something	To "talk someone into something" means to convince someone to do something.
talk someone out of something	To "talk someone out of something" means to convince someone not to do something.
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.
think big	To "think big" means to have ambitious goals and big plans for the future.
think outside the box	To "think outside the box" means to think of creative, unconventional solutions instead of common ones.
throw in the towel	To "throw in the towel" means to quit.
time's up	"Time's up" means that the time for something or someone has ended.
touch base	To "touch base" means to make contact with someone.
under the table	Something done secretly (and usually illegally) in the business world is done "under the table."
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."
upper hand	If someone has an advantage over someone else, he or she has the "upper hand."
win-win situation	A "win-win situation" is a situation where everyone involved gains something.
word of mouth	If something spreads by "word of mouth," people hear about it through informal conversation with friends, family members, acquaintances, etc.
writing on the wall	The "writing on the wall" refers to the evidence and clues that something (usually negative) is going to happen.
yes man	A "yes man" is someone who always agrees with his or her superiors.
	We often use this expression after something has been lost.

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Phrase	Meaning
ASAP	"ASAP" is an acronym for "as soon as possible."
at stake	"At stake" means at risk.
back to square one	To go "back to square one" means to start something over again.
back to the drawing board	To go "back to the drawing board" means to start something over and go back to the planning stage.
backroom deal	A "backroom deal" is an agreement or decision that is made without the public knowing about it.
ballpark number/figure	A "ballpark number" is a very inexact estimate.
behind someone's back	To do something "behind someone's back" means to do something without someone's knowledge and in an unfair way.
behind the scenes	What happens in secret or not in front of the general public is said to happen "behind the scenes."
big picture	Everything that is involved with a particular situation is called "the big picture."
blue collar	A "blue collar worker" is someone who works with his hands (manufacturing, construction, maintenance, etc.). The opposite is a "white collar worker." A white collar worker is someone who works in an office (customer service, management, sales, etc.). "Blue collar" (and "white collar") can also be used to describe a job, position, or a place.
by the book	To do things "by the book" means to do things according to company policy or the law. It means to follow the rules 100%.
call it a day	To "call it a day" means to decide to stop working for the day.
catch someone off guard	To "catch someone off guard" means to surprise someone by doing something that he or she was not expecting.
cave (or cave in)	To "cave" or "cave in" means to give in or agree to something that someone previously did not want to accept.
change of pace	"A change of pace" is something different from a normal routine or schedule.
come up short	To "come up short" means to try to achieve something but fail. We often say that someone has "come up short" when someone fails to achieve a goal, but not completely.
corner a market	To "corner a market" means to dominate a particular market.
cut corners	To "cut corners" means to take shortcuts and find an easier or cheaper way to do something.
cut one's losses	To "cut one's losses" means to stop doing something that is unproductive and won't ever generate results.
cut-throat	"Cut-throat" is used to describe something that is very intense, aggressive, and merciless.
diamond in the rough	A "diamond in the rough" is something or someone that has a lot of potential but first requires a lot of work.
easy come, easy go	"Easy come, easy go," is an expression used to communicate that something gained easily is also lost easily. We often use this expression after something has been lost.
fifty-fifty	"Fifty-fifty" means something is divided equally -- 50% for one party, 50% for the other party.
from the ground up	If you start a business, project, or something else from zero, you start it "from the ground up."
game plan	A "game plan" is a strategy or plan.
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.
get down to business	To "get down to business" means to stop making small talk and start talking about serious topics related to business.
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."
no strings attached	If something is given without expecting anything in return, it is given with "no strings attached."
no time to lose	If there is "no time to lose," it means that there is a lot of pressure to finish something quickly.
not going to fly	If a solution isn't effective, we can say that it "isn't going to fly."
off the top of one's head	If someone says something "off the top of their head," it means that they give a response without thinking about it much or doing any research on the subject.
on a roll	If someone is "on a roll," it means that he or she has had several successes in a row.
on the ball	To be "on the ball" means to be alert and aware of things.
on the same page page	If two people are "on the same page," they are in agreement about something.
on top of something	To be "on top of something" means to be in control of a situation and aware of changes.
on your toes	To be "on your toes" means to be alert.
out in the open	If something is "out in the open," it is public knowledge and not hidden from people.
out of the loop (opposite: in the loop)	To be "out of the loop" means to not know something that a select group of people knows. The opposite, to be "in the loop," means to be part of a select group with knowledge that others do not have.
pink slip	Someone who gets the "pink slip," has been fired by their employer.
play hardball	To "play hardball" means to be competitive in a cruel and merciless way. Playing hardball means doing anything possible to win.
put all one's eggs in one basket	To "put all one's eggs in one basket," means to rely on only one thing to bring success.
put the cart before the horse	To "put the cart before the horse" means to do or think about things in the wrong order.
raise the bar	To "raise the bar" means to set the standards or expectations higher, usually by achieving or creating something better than what had previously existed.
read between the lines	To "read between the lines" means to understand something that isn't communicated directly. Reading between the lines involves understanding what someone is implying or suggesting but not saying directly.
red tape	"Red tape" refers to excessive rules, procedures, and regulations that make it difficult to accomplish something. We usually use "red tape" to talk about government requirements that create difficult, time-consuming barriers for people and businesses.
rock the boat	To "rock the boat" means to cause problems or disrupt a peaceful situation.
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.
safe bet	A "safe bet" means something that will probably happen.
same boat	If people are in the same situation, they are in the "same boat."
second nature	When someone does something so well that it seems like they were born knowing how to do it, we say that the activity is "second nature" to that person.
see eye to eye	To "see eye to eye" with someone means to agree with that person.
see something through	To "see something through" means to do something until it is finished.
sever ties	To "sever ties" means to end a relationship.
shoot something down	To "shoot something down" means to reject something, such as a proposal or idea.
sky's the limit	"The sky's the limit" if there is no limit to what can be achieved.
small talk	"Small talk" is conversation about unimportant topics that do not offend people (the weather, for example).
smooth/clear sailing	"Smooth sailing" is a term used to describe a situation where success is achieved without difficulties.
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.
start off on the right foot	To "start off on the right foot" means to start something in a positive way.
start off on the wrong foot	To "start off on the wrong foot" means to start something in a negative way.
state of the art	Something that is "state of the art" is modern and technologically advanced.
take something lying down	To "take something lying down" means to accept something unpleasant without fighting back.
take the bull by the horns	To "take the bull by the horns" means to directly confront a difficult situation.
talk someone into something	To "talk someone into something" means to convince someone to do something.
talk someone out of something	To "talk someone out of something" means to convince someone not to do something.
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.
think big	To "think big" means to have ambitious goals and big plans for the future.
think outside the box	To "think outside the box" means to think of creative, unconventional solutions instead of common ones.
throw in the towel	To "throw in the towel" means to quit.
time's up	"Time's up" means that the time for something or someone has ended.
touch base	To "touch base" means to make contact with someone.
twist someone's arm	To "twist someone's arm" means to persuade or convince someone to do something that he or she does not want to do.
under the table	Something done secretly (and usually illegally) in the business world is done "under the table."
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."
upper hand	If someone has an advantage over someone else, he or she has the "upper hand."
white collar	A "white collar worker" is someone who works in an office (customer service, management, sales, etc.). The opposite of a white collar worker is a "blue collar worker." A blue collar worker is someone who works with his hands (manufacturing, construction, maintenance, etc.). "White collar" (and "blue collar") can also be used to describe a job, position, or place.
win-win situation	A "win-win situation" is a situation where everyone involved gains something.
word of mouth	If something spreads by "word of mouth," people hear about it through informal conversation with friends, family members, acquaintances, etc.
writing on the wall	The "writing on the wall" refers to the evidence and clues that something (usually negative) is going to happen.
yes man	A "yes man" is someone who always agrees with his or her superiors.
24/7	"24/7" means 24 hours a day, seven days a week.