Business English Expressions

20 Useful Idioms from www.teacherjoe.us!

1. 800 pound gorilla - the biggest, most powerful group or company
Example: "If we follow our plan to make this new software, we're going to have a lot of competition, including from the 800 pound gorilla, Microsoft."

2. (a rising tide that) lifts all boats - something that helps all people or all groups
Example: "We're only number three, but the current economic growth will lift all boats, so we're sure to make a profit this year."

3. 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."

4. at the 11th hour - very late, at the very last minute
Example: " ."

5. 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!"

6. 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."

7. 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."

8. 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."

9. 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."

10. (draw) a line in the sand - make final conditions that cannot be changed
Example: "We have to draw a line in the sand so they will see that this is really our final offer."

11. 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?"

12. from day one - from the beginning
Example: "Teacher Joe has been providing the best English-learning web site from day one!"

13. 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."

14. I need it yesterday - an informal way to say it is needed immediately
Example: "Can I send that report to you later this afternoon?"
"No! I need that report yesterday!"

15. a two-way street - both people or both groups can contribute or benefit from the situation
Example: "We want to help you, but we need your help too. It should be a two-way street."

16. it will never fly - it won't be successful
Example: "We don't have to worry about their idea competing with ours. It will never fly."

17. it's a jungle out there - it's a difficult market with many, tough competitors
Example: "Do you think a new company can survise without a unique product? It's a real jungle out there!"

18. jump through hoops - trying very hard (like a dog doing tricks!)
Example: "He's a tough boss. All of his subordinates have to jump through hoops to prove their loyalty to the company."

19. put your cards on the table - be completely honest
Example: "I think it's time to put all of our cards on the table. Here's what we need..."

20. learning curve - how much time needed to learn something new
Example: "This new software has a long learning curve, so we have to give our staff enough time to learn how to use it well."

21. level playing field - equal conditions for all people or groups Example: "The WTO agreement helps to level the playing field, which gives us the chance to compete anywhere in the world." 22. the lion's share - the largest part Example: "If we want the lion's share of the profit, we'll have to do the lion's share of the work." 23. number crunching - analyze numbers Example: "I'll go back to my office and do some number crunching, then tell you the results tomorrow." 24. pipe dream - something that is unrealistic Example: "Do you think we can really live on the moon some day, or is it just a pipe dream?" 25. play hardball - deal in a tough way Example: "If he tries to block this deal in any way, we'll just have to start playing hardball." 26. power lunch - big business dealing while eating lunch Example: "The top executives met with their bankers at the best restaurant in town. It was a real power lunch!" 27. push the envelope - move beyond current limits Example: "Teacher Joe is always pushing the envelope by giving us new activities such as dictations, jokes and interesting discussion topics." 28. put on the map - make well-known Example: "They've had some good products in the past, but nothing special. This new device is so good that it finally puts them on the map." 29. savvy - smart and knowledgeable Example: "He's a savvy investor so there is a high probability this project will be successful." 30. sea change - a large change Example: "Globalization has brought about a sea change. Those who don't change will end up sinking!" 31. flying by the seat of your pants - intuitively (flying an airplane with no instruments) Example: "Who knows if they will succeed or not? Without a clear business plan, they are just flying by the seat of their pants." 32. shotgun approach - strike widely rather than focussing Example: "Taking a shotgun approach is a big risk. We may not hit any target at all. If we can identify one good target, we can develop a more precise marketing plan." 33. step up to the plate - take responsibility Example: "We've done all that we can to prepare. Now it's time to step up to the plate and do it!" 34. talk until you are blue in the face - try to persuade someone with no results Example: "You can talk until you are blue in the face, but I will never believe that Teacher Joe is the funniest English teacher in the world." 35. the bottom line - the final result Example: "Although we worked hard on this deal, the bottom line is we didn't make the sale, so it was a complete failure." 36. the name of the game is... - the basic purpose Example: "The name of the game is service. If we focus on that, the customers will always come back." 37. take a haircut - take a loss Example: "We really took a haircut on that one! We're going to have to negotiate a better deal next time." 38. tweak something - make a slight adjustment Example: "By tweaking the economy, the government hopes to avoid a recession." 39. unwind a deal - take apart or undo something Example: "We have to unwind this deal, then we can start over again." 40. a zero sum game - a situation where someone wins so someone else must lose Example: "I don't think this is a zero-sum game. If the customer wins, we win too."

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