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Business English is more than just formal vocabulary and grammar—it’s also about using the right expressions that make your communication natural and impactful. That’s where idioms come in.
These figurative phrases are commonly used in meetings, emails, presentations, and negotiations. Mastering them can help you understand native speakers better and express yourself more effectively.
In this post, you’ll find 40+ useful English idioms for business communication, each with a simple explanation and example. Plus, there’s a quiz at the end to test your knowledge!
What Are Idioms?
Idioms are fixed phrases or expressions whose meanings cannot be understood from the individual words alone. Instead, they have a figurative meaning understood through common usage.
For example, the idiom “break the ice” doesn’t mean smashing actual ice—it means starting a conversation in a relaxed way.
Idioms add color to language and are widely used in everyday and business communication to express ideas more vividly and naturally.
40+ English Idioms for Business Communication
Here are more than 40 English idioms for business communication:
1. Back to the drawing board
Meaning: Start over because the previous plan failed.
Example: The client rejected our proposal, so it’s back to the drawing board.
2. Big picture
Meaning: The overall perspective.
Example: Let’s not focus on minor issues—think about the big picture.
3. Touch base
Meaning: Make contact or talk briefly.
Example: I’ll touch base with you next week to check on the progress.
4. Think outside the box
Meaning: Think creatively.
Example: We need to think outside the box to solve this problem.
5. Hit the ground running
Meaning: Start a task with energy and immediately be effective.
Example: We want the new marketing manager to hit the ground running.
6. On the same page
Meaning: In agreement or understanding.
Example: Before we proceed, let’s make sure we’re on the same page.
7. Call the shots
Meaning: Be in charge or make decisions.
Example: She’s the one calling the shots on this project.
8. Get the ball rolling
Meaning: Start a process or activity.
Example: Let’s get the ball rolling on the new campaign.
9. Raise the bar
Meaning: Set a higher standard.
Example: This new software raises the bar for performance.
10. In the loop
Meaning: Being informed.
Example: Keep me in the loop about any updates.
11. Out of the loop
Meaning: Not informed.
Example: I’ve been out of the loop since I was on leave.
12. Cut to the chase
Meaning: Skip the small talk and get to the point.
Example: We’re short on time, so let’s cut to the chase.
13. Think on your feet
Meaning: React quickly and effectively.
Example: During live presentations, you need to think on your feet.
14. By the book
Meaning: Follow rules strictly.
Example: Our company does everything by the book.
15. Game plan
Meaning: A strategy or plan.
Example: What’s our game plan for the product launch?
16. On the back burner
Meaning: Postponed or given low priority.
Example: Let’s put that idea on the back burner for now.
17. Ahead of the curve
Meaning: Innovative or more advanced than others.
Example: Our tech team is ahead of the curve.
18. Ballpark figure
Meaning: An approximate number.
Example: Can you give me a ballpark figure for the cost?
19. Red tape
Meaning: Excessive bureaucracy.
Example: We need to cut through the red tape to speed things up.
20. Move the goalposts
Meaning: Change the rules or expectations unfairly.
Example: It feels like they’re moving the goalposts every week!
21. Fast track
Meaning: Speed up a process.
Example: We need to fast-track the hiring process.
22. In a nutshell
Meaning: In summary.
Example: In a nutshell, we need more time and budget.
23. Get down to business
Meaning: Start doing serious work.
Example: Let’s get down to business and finalize the report.
24. Touch and go
Meaning: Uncertain situation.
Example: It was touch and go whether we’d meet the deadline.
25. Play hardball
Meaning: Be very firm or aggressive.
Example: The supplier started playing hardball during negotiations.
26. Learn the ropes
Meaning: Learn how things are done.
Example: She’s new but quickly learning the ropes.
27. Off the record
Meaning: Not for public sharing.
Example: Off the record, the deal is almost done.
28. Put all your eggs in one basket
Meaning: Rely entirely on one plan or investment.
Example: Don’t put all your eggs in one basket—diversify.
29. Go the extra mile
Meaning: Put in extra effort.
Example: He always goes the extra mile for his clients.
30. Rock the boat
Meaning: Cause trouble or disrupt harmony.
Example: Let’s not rock the boat during negotiations.
31. Get your foot in the door
Meaning: Take the first step toward a goal, especially a job.
Example: An internship can help you get your foot in the door.
32. Put it on the map
Meaning: Make something well-known.
Example: The new app really put the company on the map.
33. Keep your eye on the ball
Meaning: Stay focused.
Example: Keep your eye on the ball—we can’t afford mistakes.
34. At the eleventh hour
Meaning: At the last minute.
Example: The contract was signed at the eleventh hour.
35. On a shoestring budget
Meaning: With very little money.
Example: They built their business on a shoestring budget.
36. Bring to the table
Meaning: Offer something useful.
Example: He brings a lot of experience to the table.
37. In the driver’s seat
Meaning: In control.
Example: With the new contract, we’re in the driver’s seat.
38. Take it offline
Meaning: Discuss later or privately.
Example: That’s a side issue—let’s take it offline.
39. Throw in the towel
Meaning: Give up.
Example: After months of losses, they threw in the towel.
40. Break the ice
Meaning: Start a conversation in a relaxed way.
Example: I told a joke to break the ice before the meeting.
41. Circle back
Meaning: Return to a previous point or discussion.
Example: Let’s circle back to this after lunch.
Get more idioms on the Free Dictionary.
Quick Quiz: Test Your Business Idiom Knowledge!
Choose the correct meaning for each idiom:
- “Think outside the box” means…
- a) Follow instructions
- b) Be creative
- c) Quit your job
- “Hit the ground running” refers to…
- a) Starting quickly and effectively
- b) Escaping a problem
- c) Exercising at work
- “In the loop” means…
- a) Confused
- b) Repeating information
- c) Being informed
- “Raise the bar” implies…
- a) Set a higher standard
- b) Lift equipment
- c) Install shelves
- “Move the goalposts” means…
- a) Celebrate a win
- b) Unfairly change the rules
- c) Start a match
- “Ballpark figure” is…
- a) A sports statistic
- b) An exact cost
- c) An estimate
- “On the back burner” suggests…
- a) A priority task
- b) Delayed or not urgent
- c) Hot and ready
2 → a
3 → c
4 → a
5 → b
6 → c
7 → b
Conclusion
Idioms are an essential part of fluent business communication. You’ll not only understand English speakers better but also sound more natural and confident in the workplace if you learn these expressions.
Use these idioms to communicate like a professional when you’re participating in meetings, writing emails, or making presentations.
👉 Tip: Try picking 5 idioms a week and using them in real situations. That’s how you’ll truly make them your own.
Have a favorite business idiom? Share these idioms with your friends!
