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Do you get lost in corporate jargon? You’re not alone. The business world prefers brevity for complex ideas; it saves time! However, business English idioms are scattered throughout business communications—emails, meetings, reports, and more.
Corporate jargon is efficient but tough for office newbies. Native and non-native speakers alike may struggle to adapt to this new vocabulary. But we’re here to help. This guide covers common business English phrases you’re likely to encounter in many business settings.
Common Business English Idioms and What They Mean
Ready to learn corporate jargon? Let’s review some common business English phrases and idioms:
| Common Business Idioms/Phrases | What They Mean | How They’re Used |
| Ball is in your court | Your turn to shape what comes next. | “We’ve presented our offer. The ball is in your court now.” |
| Ballpark figure | A rough estimate. | “Can you give me a ballpark figure for the marketing budget?” |
| Back to the drawing board | Start fresh with a new plan. | “The project didn’t work out. It’s back to the drawing board.” |
| Bend over backwards | Make a strong effort to assist someone. | “We bent over backwards to meet the deadline.” |
| Big picture | The situation or goal. | “We need to step back and look at the big picture before we make any decisions about the new product line.” |
| Bring to the table | Provide value to a group or project. | “She brings a lot of experience to the table.” |
| Burn the midnight oil | Work late at night. | “I had to burn the midnight oil to finish the report.” |
| Circle back | To revisit later. | “We’re running out of time, so let’s circle back to the marketing budget in our next meeting.” |
| Cut corners | To do something in the easiest or cheapest way, often reducing quality. | “We can’t cut corners on safety.” |
| Eye on the ball | Stay focused on the task at hand. | “This marketing campaign has a lot of moving parts. Keep your eye on the ball to ensure nothing goes wrong.” |
| Fast-track | Make something happen faster than usual. | “We’re fast-tracking the new product launch.” |
| Go the extra mile | Do more than is expected. | “She always goes the extra mile for her clients.” |
| Hit the ground running | Start working hard right away. | “She hit the ground running in her new job.” |
| Learn the ropes | Learn how to do something new. | “I’m still learning the ropes in this department.” |
| Long shot | Something with a low probability of success. | “Trying to enter the Chinese market is a long shot.” |
| Moving parts | The intricate parts of a situation or system. | “Launching a new product involves many moving parts, including advertising, public relations, and sales.” |
| On the same page | Agree with each other. | “Are we on the same page about the marketing strategy?” |
| Out of the loop | Don’t know about something. | “I was out of the loop on the meeting yesterday.” |
| Put all your eggs in one basket | To risk everything on a single plan or idea. | “We shouldn’t put all our eggs in one basket. Let’s diversify our investments.” |
| Raise the bar | To set higher standards or expectations. | “Our new product will raise the bar in the industry.” |
| Same boat | To be in the same difficult or unpleasant situation as someone else. | “Our competitors are facing the same economic challenges as us. We’re in the same boat.” |
| The bottom line | The final, most important factor or result | “The bottom line is that we need to increase sales this quarter.” |
| Think outside the box | Come up with new and creative ideas. | “We need to think outside the box to solve this problem.” |
| Throw in the towel | Give up on something. | “We’re not going to throw in the towel on this project yet.” |
| Touch base | Talk to someone briefly. | “I’ll touch base with you next week about the project.” |
| Up in the air | Not decided yet. | “The launch date is still up in the air.” |
| Win-win situation | A situation where everyone benefits. | “This deal is a win-win situation for both companies.” |
| Work around the clock | Work all the time, without stopping. | “The team worked around the clock to meet the deadline.” |
| You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours | Help each other. | “It’s a matter of you scratching my back, I’ll scratch yours.” |
| Zero in on | Focus on one specific thing. | “Let’s zero in on the main issues.” |
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How to Use Business English Idioms and Phrases
Knowing common business idioms and phrases doesn’t mean you’re ready to take on the corporate world just yet. You need to learn how to use them and use them well.
Idioms are like spices. A little bit can add flavour, but too much can ruin the dish. In a business meeting, you don’t need to use business jargon in every sentence. Here are some tips for using business phrases:
- Understand context: Idioms are often situation-specific. Make sure you know when and where it’s appropriate to use them. For example, “think outside the box” works well in a brainstorming session, but could seem cliché in a cutting-edge tech presentation.
- Consider cultural context: Idioms are deeply rooted in a culture’s history, experiences, and values. What might be a common phrase in one culture can be unfamiliar or even offensive in another. So, when learning about business English phrases, avoid the culturally insensitive ones.
- Be mindful of your audience: Not everyone speaks fluent “corporate.” Jargon and idioms might fly over people’s heads or come across as too casual. If you think your phrase might cause confusion, stick to plain language.
💡Pro tip: Practice to master business English idioms! Enrol in language classes with experienced instructors who understand the nuances of corporate communication and practice using idioms in real business scenarios.
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Decode Corporate Jargon with ILAC’s Business English Program
Don’t just memorize business English idioms—master their usage like a pro! The International Language Academy of Canada (ILAC) offers a comprehensive Business English program that teaches you how to use business phrases in the right way, at the right time. You’ll develop career skills that set you apart at work, such as:
- Negotiate like a pro
- Network with confidence
- Manage meetings effectively
- Write impactful business correspondence
- Deliver powerful presentations
By the end of our course, you’ll be effortlessly “touching base” on key issues and “thinking outside the box” for innovative solutions. Apply now!
