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work-related idioms
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25 Work-Related Idioms

6 min read

25 work-related idioms

Idioms aren’t just fun to learn; they also help you speak English more like a native speaker. In this guide, we’ll dive into 25 popular work-related idioms that can spice up your conversations and help you fit in better at your workplace. Each idiom is explained simply and comes with two examples to show you how to use them smoothly in your daily work life.

Climb the corporate ladder

To advance in a company’s hierarchy.

She’s been climbing the corporate ladder ever since she joined the firm.
Through sheer determination, he climbed the corporate ladder, moving from intern to senior manager in just five years.

Back to the drawing board

To start a task over because the last attempt failed.

If this plan fails, it’s back to the drawing board.
After the product flopped in the market, the team had no choice but to go back to the drawing board and redesign the product.

Call it a day

To stop working for the day.

After eight hours of work, it’s time to call it a day.
Once the report was finished, she decided to call it a day and relax with some coffee.

Get down to business

To start focusing on the most important issues.

Let’s get down to business and discuss the quarterly earnings.
After a brief chat about the weekend, the manager suggested it was time to get down to business and discuss the project deadlines.

Think outside the box

To think creatively, beyond the usual ways of thinking.

To solve this problem, we need to think outside the box.
The marketing team was encouraged to think outside the box to find a strategy that would set the brand apart from competitors.

In the driver’s seat

To be in control of a situation.

As the project leader, you’re now in the driver’s seat.
With the new promotion, she found herself in the driver’s seat, making critical decisions about the company’s future.

On the same page

Agreeing with someone.

Before we proceed, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page.
It took a while, but the management team was finally on the same page regarding the new strategic direction.

Move the goalposts

To change the rules or targets in a situation.

Just as we were about to sign off on the project, they moved the goalposts.
The development team was frustrated because the client kept moving the goalposts, demanding new features after the contract was agreed upon.

Game plan

A strategy or plan.

Our game plan is to focus on digital marketing this quarter.
She laid out the game plan meticulously, ensuring all team members knew their roles and expectations for the upcoming project.

Touch base

To briefly make or renew contact with someone.

I’ll touch base with you tomorrow to discuss the details.
He made it a point to touch base with every department head weekly to keep the lines of communication open.

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Seal the deal

To finalize an agreement.

With a handshake, we sealed the deal.
After months of negotiation, they finally sealed the deal with a comprehensive agreement outlining all terms and conditions.

Run-of-the-mill

Average, ordinary.

It’s just a run-of-the-mill office job.
Unlike the run-of-the-mill customer service training, this program was tailored to each employee’s needs and strengths.

By the book

Following rules strictly.

He does everything by the book.
The audit showed that she managed the finances by the book, which is why there were no discrepancies found.

Cut corners

To do something poorly or cheaply.

They cut corners to finish the project faster.
Cutting corners on the construction materials led to structural problems later on.

Ahead of the curve

To be more advanced than the competition.

This technology puts us ahead of the curve.
Always ahead of the curve, the company introduced features that wouldn’t become standard in the industry for several more years.

From the ground up

To start from the beginning.

He built the business from the ground up.
Creating a new division from the ground up, she recruited a team that would go on to exceed all performance targets in their first year.

Go the extra mile

To do more than what is expected.

He always goes the extra mile to please his clients.
To ensure the product launch was a success, the entire team went the extra mile, working late hours and double-checking every detail.

Keep your nose to the grindstone

To work hard and steadily.

If you keep your nose to the grindstone, you might get a promotion.
She kept her nose to the grindstone during her first year at the law firm, which paid off when she was assigned to higher-profile cases.

Play hardball

To be aggressive and uncompromising in pursuit of one’s goals.

When it comes to negotiations, he plays hardball.
The company played hardball, refusing to accept any terms that would compromise its profit margins.

Round the clock

All day and all night.

We worked round the clock to get the project done.
The customer service department operates round the clock to assist clients from different time zones.

Take the bull by the horns

To face a problem directly.

She took the bull by the horns and dealt with the budget issues.
As the new CEO, he took the bull by the horns, restructuring the failing departments within his first three months.

Under the radar

Not detected or noticed.

They completed the project under the radar.
He managed to keep the development of the new prototype under the radar until its surprise unveiling at the annual general meeting.

Win-win situation

A situation where everyone benefits.

This partnership is a win-win situation for both companies.
Negotiating a win-win situation, they crafted a deal that significantly reduced costs while improving service quality for all parties.

Jump on the bandwagon

To join others in doing something popular.

Many companies are jumping on the bandwagon of remote work.
Once the technology proved successful, other manufacturers were quick to jump on the bandwagon.

Bring to the table

To provide or offer a useful skill or attribute.

She brings a lot of experience to the table.
The consultant brought a fresh perspective to the table, helping streamline processes that had become outdated.

Did you enjoy exploring work-related idioms? Don’t forget to check out our motivational idioms too!

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