Must-Know Phrases in Business English
Back to the Drawing Board
Definition: To start over again after a failure or setback.
- Beginner: Our project failed. We need to go back to the drawing board.
- Intermediate: After the prototype didn't work, the engineers went back to the drawing board to redesign it.
- Advanced: The marketing campaign was unsuccessful, so the team had no choice but to go back to the drawing board and develop a new strategy.
Get the Ball Rolling
Definition: To start an activity or project.
- Beginner: Let’s get the ball rolling on the new project today.
- Intermediate: We need to finalize the budget so we can get the ball rolling on the construction plans.
- Advanced: The initial meeting was successful; now it's time to get the ball rolling on the implementation phase.
Call it a Day
Definition: To stop working for the day.
- Beginner: It's late. Let’s call it a day.
- Intermediate: After eight hours of coding, she decided to call it a day.
- Advanced: The team had made significant progress, so the manager suggested they call it a day and resume fresh in the morning.
Bring to the Table
Definition: To contribute something of value to a discussion or project.
- Beginner: He brought good ideas to the table.
- Intermediate: Each team member needs to bring their skills to the table for this project to succeed.
- Advanced: She brought a wealth of experience to the table, which was invaluable during the negotiation process.
Bottom Line
Definition: The most important fact in a situation; the final result or outcome.
- Beginner: The bottom line is we need more sales.
- Intermediate: The bottom line of our report shows that we have made a profit this quarter.
- Advanced: Despite various challenges, the bottom line is that our strategic decisions have significantly improved the company's market position.
By the Book
Definition: To do something strictly according to the rules or guidelines.
- Beginner: We must do this by the book.
- Intermediate: She always does everything by the book to avoid any mistakes.
- Advanced: The auditor insisted that the entire process be conducted by the book to ensure compliance with all regulations.
Cut Corners
Definition: To do something in the easiest or cheapest way, often sacrificing quality.
- Beginner: Don’t cut corners with your homework.
- Intermediate: The contractor cut corners, which led to problems with the building later on.
- Advanced: In an effort to reduce costs, the company began cutting corners, ultimately compromising the quality of their products.
From the Ground Up
Definition: To start something from the very beginning and build it up completely.
- Beginner: We built this company from the ground up.
- Intermediate: He designed the website from the ground up, without using any templates.
- Advanced: The entrepreneur constructed his entire business model from the ground up, ensuring each element was meticulously crafted.
Keep Me in the Loop
Definition: To keep someone informed about and involved in something.
- Beginner: Please keep me in the loop about the meeting.
- Intermediate: Can you keep me in the loop regarding the progress of the project?
- Advanced: She asked her colleague to keep her in the loop with any updates or changes to the proposal before the final submission.
Think Outside the Box
Definition: To think creatively and unconventionally.
- Beginner: We need to think outside the box to solve this problem.
- Intermediate: To come up with innovative solutions, the team was encouraged to think outside the box.
- Advanced: The company thrives on its employees' ability to think outside the box, leading to groundbreaking products and services.
Touch Base
Definition: To make brief contact with someone to update or discuss something.
- Beginner: Let’s touch base tomorrow about the project.
- Intermediate: I need to touch base with my manager before finalizing the report.
- Advanced: We should touch base next week to review the progress and adjust our strategy if needed.
Go the Extra Mile
Definition: To make a special effort to achieve something or to exceed expectations.
- Beginner: She goes the extra mile to help customers.
- Intermediate: Employees who go the extra mile are often recognized for their hard work and dedication.
- Advanced: The project manager's willingness to go the extra mile ensured that the deadline was met with exceptional quality.
Hit the Ground Running
Definition: To start a new activity with a lot of energy and enthusiasm, often well-prepared.
- Beginner: We need to hit the ground running on this new task.
- Intermediate: The new hire hit the ground running, immediately contributing to the team’s goals.
- Advanced: By planning meticulously, the development team hit the ground running and completed the project ahead of schedule.
How to Learn Idiomatic Phrases in Business
Here are some effective techniques to help you learn these idiomatic phrases in business:
1. Contextual Learning
- Learn idioms in context rather than in isolation. This means understanding how they are used in sentences and everyday conversation.
- Read articles, watch TV shows, or listen to podcasts where native speakers frequently use idiomatic expressions. Pay attention to the context and situations in which these phrases are used.
2. Practice with Native Speakers
- Engage in conversations with native speakers to practice using idiomatic phrases.
- Join language exchange programs, conversation clubs, or online platforms where you can interact with native speakers. Try to incorporate idiomatic phrases into your conversations and ask for feedback.
3. Use Flashcards and Spaced Repetition
- Create flashcards with idiomatic phrases and their meanings, and use spaced repetition to memorize them.
- Write the idiom on one side of the flashcard and its definition and examples on the other. Review the flashcards regularly using spaced repetition apps like Anki or Quizlet to reinforce your memory.
What is spaced repetition?
Spaced repetition is a way of reviewing material at set times. At first, you review often (like every hour, then four hours, then a day). Over time, the gaps get longer (four days, then a week, then two weeks). Doing this helps retain new phrases in your long term memory.
4. Create Sentences
- Make your own sentences using the idiomatic phrases to better understand their use.
- Write down three different sentences (beginner, intermediate, advanced) for each idiom, similar to the examples provided earlier. This practice helps solidify your understanding and ability to use the phrases correctly.
5. Watch and Imitate
- Watch videos or movies where idioms are used and imitate the speakers.
- Find clips from movies, TV shows, or YouTube channels where idiomatic phrases are commonly used. Repeat the sentences aloud, mimicking the pronunciation and intonation of the speakers. This helps with both understanding and natural usage.
6. Contextual Exercises
- Complete exercises and activities that focus on using idiomatic phrases in context.
- Look for language learning resources that offer exercises specifically on idiomatic expressions. These might include fill-in-the-blank sentences, matching phrases with their meanings, or writing short dialogues using the idioms.
7. Keep a Journal
- Keep a journal where you record new idiomatic phrases and examples of how to use them.
- Whenever you come across a new idiom, write it down along with its definition and an example sentence. Review your journal regularly and try to use the new phrases in your daily conversations or writing.
8. Learn the Culture
- Understand the cultural context behind idiomatic phrases.
- Idioms often have cultural references or historical backgrounds. Learning about these can give you a deeper understanding of their meanings and usages. Read about the origins of idioms or watch documentaries about English-speaking cultures.
9. Consistent Practice
- Consistency is key. Regular practice helps in mastering idiomatic expressions.
- Dedicate a specific time each day to study and practice idiomatic phrases. Consistent, daily practice is more effective than sporadic, intensive study sessions.
10. Seek Feedback
- Get feedback on your use of idiomatic phrases from teachers or native speakers.
- Don't be afraid to make mistakes. Use idioms when writing and speaking, and ask for feedback from teachers, language partners, or native friends. Constructive criticism helps you learn and get better.
Use these techniques in your learning routine to get better at using idiomatic phrases in business correctly.
