# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Most common business idioms list with explanatory examples

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
English business idioms for work

Welcome to our business idioms list to develop your English fluency at work. Our list includes the most common business idioms ?, an example that uses the idiom in a business context ? and a definition that explains the meaning ?.

What are idioms?

An idiom is a group or words (or a phrase) that is single unit of vocabulary and has a specific meaning. The meaning may not be clear from the individual words and we need to learn the whole chunk as one item. Learning business idioms helps to develop fluency and to better understand native-English speakers.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Welcome to our business idioms list to develop your English fluency at work. Our list includes the most common business idioms ?, an example that uses the idiom in a business context ? and a definition that explains the meaning ?.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Warm-up Task:
With your group, name five local businesses and five global companies.

ESL Conversation Questions:

1. How is business English different from conversational English?

2. What is business sense, and do you have it?

3. Do you know anyone that owns their own business? What do they do?

4. Have you considered running your own business? What kind of business would you like to run?

5. Would you rather work for a big company or a small company? What are the pros and cons of each situation?

6. Some children are expected to work in their parents' business. Is it good to give children practical business experience at an early age? Why or why not?

7. Have you ever played the board game Monopoly? Is it a good way to teach children about commerce? Can you think of other fun ways to learn about business?

8. Business is important in today's economy. Is business education emphasized enough in school?

9. What is appropriate business attire? Should a businessman wear a tie to be taken seriously?

10. Capitalism is the main system of economic interaction in the world today. What are its advantages and disadvantages?

11. Who is your favorite entrepreneur? What did they do?

12. Which are the world's greatest companies?

13. Which company has the worst reputation? Why?

14. Do you prefer to support local businesses over global corporations? If so, give an example.

15. Should the government do more to support small businesses and startups? What could they do?

16. Do corporations have too much influence over government?

17. Which types of business have the brightest future?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Business Conversation Questions ⋆ PRINT DISCUSS

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Warm-up Task: With your group, name five local businesses and five global companies. How is business English different from conversational English? What is business sense, and do you have it? Do you know anyone that owns their own business? What do they do? Have you considered running your own business?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to Student B.)

(1)

Are you interested in the world of business?

(2)

Do you think you have a good head for business?

(3)

What kind of business would you like to start?

(4)

Do you think anyone can start their own business?

(5)

What are the dangers of having your own business?

(6)

Would you include your own name in your business name?

(7)

Do you read any business magazines?

(8)

Do men or women make more successful business people?

(9)

Do you think you'd be a tough person to work for?

(10)

What advice would you give to people starting in business?

STUDENT B's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to Student A.)

(1)

How would you define business?

(2)

Would you like to have your own business?

(3)

What kind of people are good at business?

(4)

Is it easy to start a business in your country?

(5)

What business skills do you have?

(6)

Would you prefer to start a "bricks 'n' mortar" business or an Internet business?

(7)

What would be your motto in business?

(8)

What kind of office would you like?

(9)

Who would be your business hero?

(10)

What would be your main business goal?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
STUDENT A's QUESTIONS (Do not show these to Student B.) (1) Are you interested in the world of business? (2) Do you think you have a good head for business? (3) What kind of business would you like to start? (4) Do you think anyone can start their own business?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Have you ever owned a business? If not have you ever considered starting a business?

Do you think you have a 'business mind'? Are you entrepreneurial and hard working?

Do you prefer to work for yourself or to work for other people?

Do any of your friends or family run successful businesses? What characteristics do you think they bring which lead to their success?

What businesses are successful in your neighbourhood? Why are they doing well?

Do you think you are you good at spotting good business opportunities? Have you got any good ideas for business opportunities at the moment?

Are business startups more likely to succeed or fail in your country? Are there more success stories or bankruptcies?

Do you think starting up a new business is usually cost-prohibitive? Does it usually require large bank loans?

In your opinion is luck, strategy or hard work the most important factor in running becoming successful in business?

How important do you think connections are in running a business?

What do you think is the usually the biggest factor in a business failing?

How important do you think it is to complete business course before starting a business?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Have you ever owned a business? If not have you ever considered starting a business? Do you think you have a 'business mind'? Are you entrepreneurial and hard working? Do you prefer to work for yourself or to work for other people? Do any of your friends or family run successful businesses?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Idiom Connection - Business Idioms - Quizzes

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
English business idioms and idiom quizzes

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Negotiation Idioms and Quizzes

Negiotiation Idiom Quiz #1

Quiz 1 - Choose the correct idiom to replace the expression in the brackets. Check your score and the correct answers at the bottom. Click on the idiom for the definition.

Your score is: ___ out of 5

Negiotiation Idiom Quiz #2

Quiz 2 - Choose the correct idiom to replace the expression in the brackets. Check your score and the correct answers at the bottom. Click on the idiom for the definition.

Your score is: ___ out of 5

Negiotiation Idiom Quiz #3

Quiz 3 - Choose the correct idiom to replace the expression in the brackets. Check your score and the correct answers at the bottom. Click on the idiom for the definition.

Your score is: ___ out of 5

Negiotiation Idiom Quiz #4

Quiz 4 - Choose the correct idiom to replace the expression in the brackets. Check your score and the correct answers at the bottom. Click on the idiom for the definition.

Your score is: ___ out of 5

Negiotiation Idiom Quiz #5

Quiz 5 - Choose the correct idiom to replace the expression in the brackets. Check your score and the correct answers at the bottom. Click on the idiom for the definition.

Your score is: ___ out of 5

accept an offer

- to agree to an offer or proposal

at stake

- something that can be gained or lost

There was much at stake during the negotiations between the nurses and the government.

back down (from something)

- to yield in one's position during negotiations, to not continue with a threat to do something

The government backed down on their threat to give less money to the school district.

back out (of something)

- to get out of an agreement, to fail to keep a promise

The property developer backed out of the plan to build the new apartment building.

ball is in (someone's) court

- it is the decision of another person or group to do something

beat around the bush

- to talk about something without giving a direct answer

The manager was beating around the bush and never said anything important.

blow a deal

- to ruin a business deal with someone

bog down

- to slow down and make no progress (a bog is an area of land that is wet and muddy - like a swamp)

bone of contention

- the subject or reason for a fight or dispute

The size of the project was a bone of contention between the city and the developer.

break down

- to fail, to stop

break off (something) or break (something) off

- to stop or end suddenly

break through

- to be successful after overcoming a difficulty

We were able to break through in our efforts to find a solution to the problem.

breakthrough

- a success that comes after overcoming a difficulty

There was a breakthrough in the talks to end the teacher's strike.

bring off (something) or bring (something) off

- to achieve something

We were unable to bring off a deal to buy the new computer system for our company.

bring (someone) to terms

- to make someone agree to something or do something

The government worked hard to bring the two sides to terms.

bring (something) to the table

- to have something to offer during a negotiation

bring up (something) or bring ( something) up

- to begin a discussion about something, to mention something

call off (something) or call (something) off

- to stop or quit or cancel something

We called off the meeting because everybody was busy.

call (someone's) bluff

- to try to make someone prove that they can actually do what they say they can

call the shots

- to be in charge

cave in to (someone or something)

- to weaken and be forced to give up

The company was forced to cave in to the demands of the workers for more money.

close a deal

- to end a negotiation successfully

close ranks

- to unite and fight together

During the meeting we closed ranks and refused to compromise on any issue.

come back with an offer

- to return to negotiations with a new offer

We came back with a new offer and the negotiations continued smoothly.

come down in price

- to lower the price of one's product

We decided to come down in price and try and sell our products quickly.

come in high

- to charge too much for your services, to ask for a price that is too high

The salesman came in high during the negotiations and could not sell his product.

come in low

- to offer a low amount of money for a product or service

come to terms

- to reach an agreement

After negotiating all night the government and the company came to terms on an arrangement for the new water system.

come up in a discussion

- to become a subject in a discussion

Nothing related to the issue of quality came up in the discussion.

come up with (an idea or something)

- to produce or find a thought or idea or answer

common ground

- shared beliefs or interests

There was no common ground between the two sides and the negotiations did not go well.

consider an offer

- to think about an offer or proposal

The man considered the offer to buy his car.

continue down to the wire

- to near a deadline, to have little time remaining

The negotiations continued down to the wire but they ended successfully.

cover ground

- to talk about the important facts and details of something

cut a deal

- to make an agreement, to make a deal or arrangement

cut (someone) off or cut off (someone)

- to stop someone from saying something, to interrupt someone

down to the wire

- near a deadline, with little time remaining

drag on

- to be prolonged, to continue for a long time

drag one's heels

- to act slowly or reluctantly

The government dragged their heels in talks with the union about the new contract.

draw the line

- to set a limit about what will be done or discussed

draw up (something) or draw (something) up

- to put something (a contract or a plan) in writing

drive a hard bargain

- to bargain hard and try to make an agreement to one's advantage

drive at (something)

- to mean something, to want to say something

I could not understand what the other negotiators in the meeting were driving at.

drop the price (of something)

- to lower the price of something

face down (someone) or face (someone) down

- to confront someone boldly

fall through

- to fail, to be ruined, to not happen

fifty-fifty

- equally, evenly

We shared the profits with the other company fifty-fifty.

follow through on/with (something)

- to finish an action, to keep a promise

follow (something) up or follow up (something)

- to pursue something, to investigate something further, to follow something with something similar

The negotiators will follow up the proposals with a further meeting.

force (someone's) hand

- to make someone do something that they do not want to do at that time

We decided to force our opponent's hand because we wanted to finish the negotiations quickly.

gentleman's agreement

- an agreement that is not written down but is made by two people or two groups who trust each other

get behind (a person or idea)

- to support a person or idea

get down to brass tacks

- to begin the work or business that must be done

get down to business

- to start working or doing the business at hand

We must get down to business and finish our work quickly.

get the ball rolling

- to start an activity or action

get the message

- to understand clearly what someone means

I do not think that the opposite side got the message about where the negotiations are heading.

get the raw end of the deal

- to do badly in a negotiation or a similar situation

get to first base

- to make a good start, to succeed

We have not been able to get to first base regarding the terms of the new contract.

get to the bottom of (something)

- to discover or understand the real cause of something

It will be difficult to get to the bottom of the financial problems in the company.

get to the heart of (something)

- to find the most important facts or central meaning of something

We spent the morning trying to get to the heart of the problem with the computer supplier.

give a little

- to compromise during a negotiation

We know that we must give a little if we want to complete the negotiations.

give and take (give-and-take)

- to share, to give up part of what you want in order to make an agreement

After much give and take we reached an agreement regarding the property transfer.

give away the farm

- to offer too much during a negotiation

give ground

- to move back or retreat from one's position

We bargained hard but the other sales representative refused to give ground.

give in to (someone)

- to do what another person wants rather than to fight and argue with him or her

go back on (something)

- to not be faithful or loyal to one's word or an agreement

go back to square one

- to go back to the beginning

The meeting was a failure and we were forced to go back to square one.

go back to the drawing board

- to go back and start something from the beginning

The negotiations failed so we had to go back to the drawing board and start over.

go down to the wire

- to near a deadline, to have little time remaining

go for broke

- to risk everything on one big effort, to try as hard as possible

After going for broke at the meeting we were able to reach an agreement.

go over like a lead balloon

- to fail to generate a positive response

The sales manager's proposal went over like a lead balloon at the meeting

go over well

- to be liked or successful

hammer out (an agreement or a deal)

- to negotiate a deal or agreement by discussion and debate

hang in the balance

- to have two equally possible results, to be uncertain

hard-nosed

- to be very strict, to be stubborn, to be uncompromising

have a card up one's sleeve

- to hide something of value

I thought that the negotiations would not succeed but my boss had a card up his sleeve that we did not know about.

have a poker face

- to not show any reaction or emotion

Our boss had a poker face when he told us that our office would soon close.

hold all the aces/cards/trumps

- to have all of the advantages

The management group was holding all the aces during the meeting with the union.

hold out for (something)

- to keep resisting or refuse to give up until you get the desired results

The union is holding out for a better deal and they do not plan to end their strike.

hold out on (someone)

- to refuse to give information or something to someone who has a right to it

horse trade

- to make a business agreement or deal after careful bargaining and compromise

in the bag

- to be certain

The contract for the new insurance policy is in the bag.

ink a deal

- sign a contract

iron (something) out or iron out (something)

- to solve a problem

We spent several hours ironing out the final details of the contract.

knock down the price of (something)

- to decrease a price

lay one's cards on the table

- to be open and honest about one's intentions

Our boss laid his cards on the table during the meeting.

make a concession

- to change your position in favor of the other person/side when you are negotiating

The union made a big concession in their negotiations with their company.

make an offer

- to make a financial or other proposal for a product or service

make headway

- to make progress

meet (someone) halfway

- to compromise with someone

The price for the truck was too high but we met the salesman halfway and made an agreement to buy it.

nail down the terms of an agreement

- to discuss and agree on the terms of a contract

nail (something) down or nail down (something)

- to make certain or sure

off the record

- to be not published or revealed, to be a secret

paint oneself into a corner

- to get into a bad situation that is difficult or impossible to escape

The negotiations became easier when the other side painted themselves into a corner.

play hardball (with someone)

- to act strong and aggressive with someone

play into (someone's) hands

- to do something that another person can use against you

Our manager played into the hands of the other side when he became angry during the meeting.

play one's ace

- to use one's best resource (the ace is the most powerful card), to use all of one's power

I played my ace when I asked my boss for more money.

play one's cards close to one's chest

- to be secretive and cautious about something

My colleague was playing his cards close to his chest when he began to talk to our competitor.

pull (something) off or pull off (something)

- to succeed in doing something difficult or impossible

The contract seemed impossible to win but we pulled it off through our skillful negotiating.

pull (something) out of a hat

- to get something as if by magic, to invent something, to imagine something

The problem was difficult but somehow we were able to pull a solution out of a hat.

put one's cards on the table

- to be open and honest about one's intentions

We put our cards on the table and tried to solve the problem.

raise the ante

- to increase what is at stake or under discussion in a dispute or conflict

a raw deal

- treatment that is not fair

The sales manager received a raw deal when he was forced to give up his former position.

reach a compromise

- to achieve a compromise with someone

The company tried very hard to reach a compromise with the workers.

reach a deal

- to complete or make a deal

reach a stalemate

- to arrive at a position where no progress is being made

The talks to buy the new computers have reached a stalemate and it will be difficult to start them again.

reach an agreement

- to complete or make an agreement

The supplier and the buyer reached an agreement about the new product.

reach an impasse

- to get to a point where progress is impossible

The negotiations on where to build the new bridge have reached an impasse.

reach first base

- to make a good start, to succeed

read between the lines

- to understand the meaning of something by guessing what is not said

rock-bottom offer

- the lowest price that one can offer to buy something

a setback

- a change from better to worse, a delay, a reversal

set back (something) or set (something) back

- to delay or impede the progress of something

smooth (something) over or smooth over (something)

- to make something seem better or less severe

We tried to smooth over the problems between the two managers.

stack the deck against (someone)

- to trick someone, to arrange things unfairly (a deck is a deck of cards)

stand one's ground

- to maintain and defend one's position

start the ball rolling

- to begin an activity or action

I will start the ball rolling by making some telephone calls to my coworkers.

stick to one's guns

- to defend an action or opinion despite an unfavorable reaction

We stuck to our guns during the meeting and asked for more time to consider the proposal.

stumbling block

- something that prevents or obstructs progress

The salary issue was a stumbling block in the negotiations between the company and the union.

sweeten the deal

- to offer something during a negotiation that is attractive to the other side

take sides

- to join one group against another in a debate or quarrel

I did not take sides in the discussion about buying a new computer.

talk (someone) into (something)

- to get someone to agree to something, to persuade someone to do something

We were unable to talk the other members of our team into delaying the meeting until next week.

talk (someone) out of (something)

- to persuade someone not to do something

talk (something) over or talk over (something)

- to discuss something

throw (someone) a curve

- to mislead or deceive someone

to the letter

- exactly, nothing done wrong or left undone, precisely

trump card

- something that is kept back to be used to win success if nothing else works

turn thumbs down on (something)

- to reject something

under the wire

- at the very last moment

We were able to send the documents to the lawyer under the wire.

undercut (someone)

- to sell your product for less than a competitor

The new discount store is trying hard to undercut other stores in the area.

up the ante

- to increase what is at stake or under discussion in a dispute or conflict

water (something) down or water down (something)

- to change and make something weaker

The manager tried to water down our proposal for the new quality control system.

wheel and deal

- to negotiate to buy and sell something (often in a way that is very close to being dishonest or illegal)

wind up (something) or wind (something) up

- to end, to finish, to stop

wrap up (something) or wrap (something) up

- to finish something (a job, a meeting etc.)

We wrapped up the meeting and went home for the weekend.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Quiz 1 - Choose the correct idiom to replace the expression in the brackets. Check your score and the correct answers at the bottom. Click on the idiom for the definition. Your score is: ___ out of 5 Quiz 2 - Choose the correct idiom to replace the expression in the brackets.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Be the first to discover the ultimate news site.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
esl efl esol tesl tefl tesol elt english as a second language english as a foreign language

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
ESL Conversation Questions - Business (I-TESL-J)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
A list of questions you can use to generate conversations in the ESL/EFL classroom.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Businesses in Japan get thousands of angry phone calls from China

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Last Thursday, Tokyo Electric Power (Tepco), the company in charge of the damaged nuclear plant in Fukushima, began releasing water from the power plant into the ocean. Since then, there have been thousands of telephone calls from China to Japanese businesses. The calls made it hard for these businesses to work normally.