43 Business Expressions You Should Know
Do you ever struggle to keep up in conversations because of unfamiliar expressions?
Mastering idioms and expressions can feel overwhelming, but once you learn them, they become powerful tools for communicating confidently with native speakers and boosting your professional presence.
If you love this kind of advanced pronunciation and fluency practice, take it to the next level with over 6 months of expert training designed to transform your pronunciation and communication skills. Click here to join my American Pronunciation Accelerator now, and start speaking with more clarity and confidence from day one!
Ready to get started? Check out this list of 43 popular American business expressions:
foot the bill
to pay for something, usually for someone else
We can't expect the company to foot the bill for every team outing, so let's consider more budget-friendly options for our next corporate event.
Unfortunately, the company policy doesn't allow us to expense personal meals, so you'll have to foot the bill for lunch today.
The client insisted on upgrading their accommodation during the business trip, but they'll have to foot the bill for any additional expenses.
cut corners
to try to save money on a project, usually at the expense of quality
We need to finish the project on time, but let's not cut corners on quality to meet the deadline.
I understand you want to save money, but cutting corners on safety protocols could lead to serious consequences for the company.
It's tempting to cut corners to streamline the process, but we must prioritize doing things the right way to maintain our reputation.
squirrel away money
to hide or save separately
It's wise to squirrel away money for unexpected expenses, like equipment repairs or sudden business trips.
I've been squirreling away money from each paycheck to save up for professional development courses.
Even in uncertain economic times, it's important to squirrel away money for future investments and growth opportunities.
cost an arm and a leg
to be very expensive
The new software upgrade may improve efficiency, but it's going to cost an arm and a leg.
We considered renovating the office space, but the quotes we received were all way too expensive, costing an arm and a leg.
Attending that industry conference would be beneficial, but the registration fees alone would cost an arm and a leg.
bottom line
the most important and final point / seeing profit as the ultimate goal
We need to focus on increasing sales because, at the end of the day, that's what matters for our bottom line.
The bottom line is, we have to cut unnecessary expenses if we want to improve our profitability.
Let's review the budget and see where we can make adjustments to improve our bottom line for the next quarter.
pitch/chip in
to contribute
Everyone needs to pitch in and help with the project to ensure we meet the deadline.
Can you pitch in with setting up the conference room for the meeting this afternoon?
Let's all pitch in ideas for the marketing campaign during the brainstorming session tomorrow.
be a steal
to be a good deal or inexpensive
The new printer we found online is a steal compared to the ones we saw at the office supply store.
I couldn't believe it when I saw the price of the conference tickets – they're a steal!
The deal we negotiated with the supplier for bulk purchases is a steal, saving the company a significant amount of money.
bread and butter
the main source of income
Our bread and butter as a company is providing excellent customer service to retain clients.
Administrative tasks might not be glamorous, but they're the bread and butter of keeping the office running smoothly.
While in-person services are our bread and butter right now, we should explore offering services online.
keep your eye on the ball
to be alert and focused on a goal or task
It's important to keep your eye on the ball and focus on our sales targets for this quarter.
With so many projects on the go, it's crucial to keep your eye on the ball and prioritize tasks effectively.
Let's not get distracted by minor setbacks. We need to keep our eye on the ball and stay focused on our long-term goals.
bring home the bacon
to earn a living
As a sales representative, it's my responsibility to bring home the bacon by securing new clients for the company.
Our marketing team worked tirelessly on the campaign, and now it's time to bring home the bacon with increased sales.
Even if you don't love your job, sometimes you have to do things you don't like in order to bring home the bacon.
catch up
to get up-to-date on information or work
Let's schedule a meeting next week to catch up on the progress of the project.
I need to catch up on emails after being out of the office for a few days.
Can we grab a quick coffee during lunch to catch up on what's been happening in the department?
look like a million dollars/bucks
to look beautiful or really good
After the successful presentation, John walked out of the meeting room looking like a million dollars, exuding confidence and professionalism.
The new company uniforms make the staff members look like a million bucks, giving off a polished and unified appearance.
With the sleek design and modern features, the newly renovated office space looks like a million dollars, impressing both clients and employees alike.
to be broke
to have little or no money
After the unexpected expenses last month, I'm broke until my next paycheck.
Due to budget cuts, the department's project is on hold, leaving us broke in terms of resources.
Investing in new technology might seem appealing, but it could leave us broke if we don't carefully manage our finances.
turn to someone
ask for help
When facing a challenging problem, I often turn to my colleague for advice and support.
If you need assistance with the project, feel free to turn to me at any time.
During times of uncertainty, employees often turn to their managers for guidance and reassurance.
to be loaded
to have a lot of money
James just bought a luxury car and took a lavish vacation. He must be loaded!
The CEO's private jet and luxurious office suggest that he's loaded with money.
It's no surprise that the company's founder is loaded. Their successful IPO made them a multimillionaire.
make a living
to earn enough money to pay for basic bills
Many people make a living by working in the finance industry, handling investments and managing portfolios.
As a freelance graphic designer, Sarah makes a living by taking on various projects for clients.
Entrepreneurs often make a living by turning their innovative ideas into successful businesses.
on the house
paid for by a business
As a gesture of goodwill, the restaurant manager offered us complimentary dessert on the house.
Our hotel upgraded our room to a suite on the house, as a token of appreciation for our loyalty.
The company decided to provide free snacks and beverages for the staff, so the vending machine items are now on the house.
put in
to spend time on something
Sarah put in extra hours last week to meet the project deadline.
We need to put in a request for additional office supplies before we run out.
The team put in a lot of effort to prepare for the client presentation.
from rags to riches
to go from poverty to wealth
The CEO's inspiring story is one of going from rags to riches, starting as a small-time entrepreneur and building a multinational corporation.
Despite growing up in poverty, John's journey in the company mirrors going from rags to riches, as he worked his way up from an entry-level position to become a successful manager.
The company's success story is a testament to going from rags to riches, beginning as a small startup in a garage and eventually becoming a market leader in the industry.
nest egg
to have money saved up for the future
It's important to start saving early to build a nest egg for retirement.
After years of hard work, Leila finally has a substantial nest egg saved up for her future.
The company offers a retirement savings plan to help employees build a nest egg for their golden years.
put in a good word
to say something positive, usually as a favor
If you're applying for the position, I can put in a good word for you with the hiring manager.
Sarah's colleague put in a good word for her with the supervisor, which helped her secure a promotion.
Before the interview, it's helpful to have someone who can put in a good word for your qualifications and work ethic.
make a fast buck
to make money with little effort usually in a short amount of time
Be cautious of schemes promising to help you make a fast buck. They often involve high risks.
It's better to focus on building long-term success rather than trying to make a fast buck through risky investments.
Some people are willing to cut corners to make a fast buck, but it's important to maintain integrity in business dealings.
count on
to depend on someone or something
You can count on me to finish the report by the end of the day.
We need to be able to count on our suppliers to deliver materials on time.
During team projects, it's important to count on each other to contribute effectively and meet deadlines.
money talks
money affords you influence
Investors are attracted to projects with high potential returns because, as they say, money talks.
When it comes to decision-making in corporate environments, the financial impact often speaks the loudest. After all, money talks.
Companies offer higher salaries to attract top talent because, ultimately, money talks.
to be strapped for cash
to not have enough money
Many startups find themselves strapped for cash in the early stages.
With several projects running simultaneously, the department is currently strapped for cash until the next budget cycle.
The company had to delay expansion plans because they were strapped for cash after investing heavily in research and development.
back to the drawing board
when you have to start over, usually after a project or attempt at something has failed
Unfortunately, the initial marketing strategy didn't yield the expected results, so it's back to the drawing board for our team.
The prototype failed to meet quality standards, so we're going back to the drawing board to redesign it.
Our proposal was rejected by the client, so it's back to the drawing board to come up with a new approach.
the ball is in (someone's) court
it’s that person's turn to make the next move
I've provided all the necessary information for the project, so now the ball is in your court to make the final decision.
We've made our offer, and now the ball is in your court to respond with your decision.
You have all the resources you need to complete the task, so the ball is in your court to deliver the results by the deadline.
run something by someone
tell someone something, usually for approval
Before finalizing the presentation, I'll run it by my supervisor for feedback.
Can I run the proposal by you to get your thoughts before presenting it to the team?
Let's run the new marketing campaign by the stakeholders to ensure everyone is on board with the strategy.
beat around the bush
to be indirect and avoid the main topic
Instead of beating around the bush, let's address the issue directly and find a solution.
The manager didn't want to beat around the bush, so she provided clear feedback during the performance review.
When discussing the budget, it's best not to beat around the bush. Let's get straight to the numbers.
put all your eggs in one basket
making all efforts in one area or investing all of one's money into one venture
It's risky to put all your eggs in one basket by relying solely on one client for the majority of our revenue.
Diversifying our investments is crucial. We shouldn't put all our eggs in one basket.
When it comes to project planning, it's wise not to put all your eggs in one basket by relying on a single strategy for success.
to see eye to eye
to agree with someone or have similar opinions about something
It's essential for our team to see eye to eye on the project goals to ensure smooth collaboration.
While we may have different opinions initially, it's crucial for us to see eye to eye on the best approach moving forward.
We need to discuss our perspectives openly to see eye to eye and reach a consensus on the new strategy.
get back to you
to reply / to tell you their decision later
I need to check my schedule, but I'll get back to you about scheduling that meeting.
Thanks for bringing up that suggestion. Let me look into it and get back to you with a response next week.
I don't have the information on hand right now, but I'll get back to you as soon as I find out.
rule of thumb
general, practical guide that is not an official rule
A good rule of thumb for email etiquette is to respond within 24 hours.
As a rule of thumb, we aim to keep meetings to no more than one hour to maximize productivity.
When estimating project timelines, a common rule of thumb is to account for potential delays and add a buffer.
cut to the chase
get to the point
Let's cut to the chase and address the main issues during the meeting.
Instead of discussing minor details, let's cut to the chase and focus on the key points of the presentation.
Time is limited, so let's cut to the chase and get straight to the budget discussion.
work something out
to find a solution that both parties agree with
Let's sit down and discuss the issue to see if we can work something out that benefits both teams.
We're facing a scheduling conflict, but I'm confident we can work something out to accommodate everyone's availability.
If you're having trouble meeting the deadline, let me know, and we'll work something out to adjust the timeline.
burn the candle at both ends
to work too much
Silvia has been burning the candle at both ends lately, working late nights to meet project deadlines.
It's important to find a work-life balance and avoid burning the candle at both ends to prevent burnout.
Javier's productivity has suffered from burning the candle at both ends. He needs to prioritize self-care and rest.
work like a charm
to be effective, usually surprisingly or easily
The new software update works like a charm, improving efficiency and reducing errors.
We implemented the new workflow system, and it's been working like a charm to streamline our processes.
Tannia’s presentation tips worked like a charm. I felt more confident and prepared during the meeting.
under the wire
to get something done at the last moment, right before the deadline
I managed to submit the report just under the wire before the deadline.
Despite facing unexpected challenges, we completed the project under the wire, meeting the client's deadline.
The team finalized the presentation just under the wire, ensuring it was ready for the important meeting.
run out of steam
to have no more energy
After working on the project for several hours, I ran out of steam and needed to take a break to recharge.
We started the meeting with enthusiasm, but halfway through, everyone seemed to run out of steam, and the energy level dropped.
The team had a strong start to the quarter, but towards the end, we began to run out of steam as the workload increased.
play hardball
to be aggressive in the pursuit of a goal
The negotiations were intense, and the other party decided to play hardball to secure a better deal for themselves.
When it comes to contract negotiations, it's important to be prepared to play hardball to protect our interests.
The competitors are known for playing hardball in the market, but we're ready to stand our ground and defend our position.
fine-tune
to make small, precise changes to make something better
We need to fine-tune our marketing strategy to better target our desired audience and increase sales.
Let's fine-tune the presentation slides to ensure they effectively convey our key points to the investors.
The software developers are working to fine-tune the application's performance based on user feedback.
state of the art
having the most modern features
Our new office building is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to enhance productivity and collaboration among employees.
The company invested in state-of-the-art machinery to streamline production processes and improve product quality.
Our training facilities are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to provide employees with the best experience possible.
beef up
to add things or increase something
We need to beef up our cybersecurity measures to protect sensitive data from potential threats.
Let's beef up the sales team by hiring additional representatives to meet growing demand.
The marketing department plans to beef up the social media presence to engage with a wider audience.
ChatGPT Prompt
And, as promised, here is the template for getting more examples from ChatGPT that are tailored to your needs and experience. Make sure to change the last line to include your position and context.
Can you give me 5 concise sentences using the phrase "_." Use conversational tone, B1 or B2 level, and corporate context. I’m the Head of Research at AWS and have to lead team meetings and update executives.
Keep Learning
Don’t stop here—take your communication skills even further with these 55 Better Ways to Say "I Think...” that will boost your confidence and fluency. Click here to dive in!
Also, download your free audio training of the three must-know leadership communication skills for non-native speakers here.
Speak English Naturally & Confidently
Join my American Pronunciation Accelerator designed for advanced English speakers like you:
Get training designed for advanced learners: With this self-paced online program, you'll get access to expert-led masterclass to strategically target specific pronunciation challenges, guiding you towards native-like fluency.
Speak English naturally and confidently: Say goodbye to self-doubt. My proven strategies will transform you into a confident communicator.
Get resources for advanced daily practice: You'll also get bonus practice tools you can study every day to make sure you feel comfortable and confident with B2-C2 level vocabulary and grammar.
Unlock your full potential in English. Click the button below to start your journey today, and transform your pronunciation and communication skills with expert-led training and daily practice tools.