Business Vocabulary

English idioms relating to
BUSINESS - WORK |
Have an ace up your sleeve. | If you have an ace up your sleeve, it means that you have
something in reserve with which you can gain an advantage. |
Hold all the aces | A person who holds all the aces is in a very strong position
because they have more advantages than anyone else.
"Given the high unemployment figures in some countries,employers hold all the aces." |
Ambulance chaser | This terms refers to a lawyer who finds work by persuading people
injured in accidents to claim money from the person who caused
the accident.
"Peterson & Scott are well-known ambulance chasers - that's how
they make their money!" |
Back to the salt mines | Saying that you have to go back to the salt mines is a humorous
way oftalking about returning to work, usually with some reluctance.
"We get two days off at Christmas and then it's back to the salt mines!" |
Bait and switch | This term refers to a deceptive commercial practice of advertising a
low-priced item to attract customers, then telling them that the product
is out of stock and persuading them to buy a more expensive article.
"This store is famous for itsbait and switch tactics." |
Blamestorming | A discussion among a group of people, who try to determine who or
what is to blame for a particular mistake, failure or wrongdoing, is called
'blamestorming'.
"A blamestorming session took place following the unfavourable reviews
in the press." |
A blank cheque | If you give someone a blank cheque, you authorize them to do
what they think isbest in a difficult situation.
"Tom was given a blank cheque and told to negotiate the best deal
possible." |
Blue chip company | This term refers to a company with a solid reputation for the quality of
its products and the stability of its growth and earnings.
"It's usually safe to invest in a blue-chip company. |
Above board | If a situation or business is described as above board, it isopen,
honest and legal.
"There are no secret negotiations. Our dealings have always been
above board." |
Get down to brass tacks | People who get down to brass tacks start to discuss and deal with
the practical details of something
"It was decided to get down to brass tacks and discuss the cost of
the project." |
Break your back | If you work extremely hard, or put a lot of effortinto achieving something,
you break your back to do it.
"If you want the job done well, you should accept to pay more. He's not
going to break his back for such a low price!" |
Bricks and mortar/ bricks and clicks | An established trading company (office/shop) is referred to as a
'brick-and-mortar' business.
'Click companies' refer to Internet-based operations.
Companies which do both arecalled 'bricks and clicks'.
"Click businesses are usually more flexible than brick-and-mortar
operations." |
Pass the buck | If you say that someone is passing the buck, you are accusing them
of not taking responsibility for a problem and expecting someone else
to handle it. |
Business as usual | After an unpleasant or unexpected event, this expression means
that everything iscontinuing in a normal way in spite of the difficulties.
"It was business as usual at the supermarket the day after the
hold-up." |
Business before pleasure | This expression means that it is considered preferable to finish
one's work before going to relax and enjoy oneself.
"I'd love to have lunch with you but I've got a report to finish -
business before pleasure I'm afraid!" |
Business isbusiness | This is a way of saying that in financial and commercial matters,
friendship or personal feelings should not be allowed to have any
influence.
"I'll hire your brother only if he is the best candidate. I'm sorry
but business is business!" |
Can't stand the pace | If you can't stand the pace, you are not able to do things well when
there is a lot of pressure.
"He used to work...