Business idioms

2. Call it a day

• To quit work, and go home; to say that a day’s work has been completed.

E.g. The boss was mad because Bill called it a day at noon.

3. Hit the nail on the head

• To identify something exactly; to arrive at exactly the right answer.

E.g. He hit the nail on the head when he said the problem was the thermostat.

4. Grey area (UK)/ Grey area (US)

• Means something that is not clearly defined and needs careful judgement.

E.g. It exits in a grey area between legal and illegal.
It’s a grey area isn’t it?

5. Get the ball rolling

• To begin; to start some action; to set in motion.

E.g. We really need to get the ball rolling on this project. The deadline is in October, and it’s already September.

6. Back to the Drawing Board

• Means that a previously established plan isn’t working and that it is time to re-plan.

E.g. My job interview went horribly! I have to go back to the drawing board.

7. Thumbs up

• Shows that someone or something is good, especially when it comes to performance or action with good results.

E.g. That’s good. You deserve a big thumbs up for such a great presentation!

8. Big picture

• Means the overall perspective or objective, not the fine detail

E.g. Although we all have all specific tasks to do, our leader makes sure we don’t lose sight of the big picture.

9. On the ball

• To be alert, active, or attentive; on top of things.

E.g. If I had been more on the ball I would have asked when he called me.

10. On the same page

• In board agreement, or sharing a common general understanding or knowledge

E.g. I want to make sure we’re all on the same page with this new project.

11. Ground-breaking

• Means innovative, different than other things of its type.

E.g. This product is certainly a ground-breaking technology.

12. Read between the lines

• To infer a meaning that is not stated explicitly

E.g. If you read between the lines a little, you will realize that he has deeper motives.

13. Put the cart before the horse

• To put things in the wrong order or with the wrong priorities; to put something inconsequential as more important than something more essential

E.g. There’s no point trying to write the report when you haven’t got a clear idea of what to write. You don’t want to put the cart before the horse.

14. See someone’s point

• Means that you understand their reason for having a certain opinion, or for feeling a certain way

E.g. Yes, I see your point. Let me double-check that and get back with you.

15. Get down to work

• To set serious and focus on what you need to do to accomplish a challenging goal

E.g. You know what, Harry? You just need to get down to work!