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With technology being so important in the modern world, innovation is key to so many business these days. Please see our innovation idioms to help you speak more on this topic.

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Idiom	Definition	Example Sentence
Reinvent the wheel (v)	To create something that already exists, often unnecessarily.	We don’t need to reinvent the wheel for this project; we can use existing software.
A lightbulb moment (n)	A sudden moment of creativity or discovery.	I had a lightbulb moment when I realized we could use recycled materials for packaging.
Think outside the box (v)	To approach a problem with a new perspective. Outside of normal thinking.	We need to think outside the box to find a solution to this complex issue.
Blue sky thinking (n)	Thinking of creative ideas without considering practical limitations.	During our brainstorming session, we engaged in blue sky thinking to come up with innovative concepts.
Shake things up (v)	To introduce change or excitement into a situation.	We need to shake things up in our department and try new approaches.
Open a new chapter (v)	To start a new phase or era.	The merger with Company B opened a new chapter for our organization.
Lead the charge (v)	To take the initiative or be in the forefront of something.	Our CEO is leading the charge in implementing our new sustainability strategy.
Lead the pack (v)	To be the leader or most successful in a group.	Our company has been leading the pack in the renewable energy sector.
Move the needle (v)	To make a significant change or improvement.	Our new marketing campaign has helped to move the needle on our sales numbers.
A breath of fresh air (v)	Something or someone that is new and refreshing.	The new intern brought a breath of fresh air to our team with her innovative ideas.
A leap of faith (n)	A risky or uncertain action taken based on trust or belief.	Taking on this new project was a leap of faith, but it has paid off.
A shot in the dark (n)	A risky or uncertain attempt.	Applying for this job was a shot in the dark, but I’m glad I did it.
Turn lemons into lemonade (v)	Make the best of a difficult situation.	After losing our largest client, we had to turn lemons into lemonade by finding new opportunities.
Against all odds (adj)	Succeeding despite facing significant challenges.	Against all odds, our team managed to complete the project on time and under budget.
Necessity is the mother of invention (ph)	Innovation often arises from urgent needs.	When faced with a tight deadline, our engineers came up with a creative solution.
A diamond in the rough (n)	Something valuable or promising that is not immediately apparent.	The idea of using plastic waste for building materials could be a diamond in the rough.
Going off the beaten path (v)	Doing something unconventional or different.	We decided to go off the beaten path and explore a new market.
Spice things up (v)	To make something more interesting or exciting.	We need to spice things up in our marketing campaigns to attract more customers.
A moonshot (n)	An ambitious and innovative project with uncertain outcomes.	Developing a self-driving car is a moonshot project for our company.
A pilot program (n)	A small-scale trial of a new product or service.	We’re launching a pilot program to test our new software before a full-scale release.

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We hope you enjoyed our innovation idioms.

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See our list of software and IT idioms

Idiom	Definition	Example Sentence
Cutting edge (adj)	At the forefront of innovation or technology.	“Our company invests in cutting-edge software to stay ahead of the competition.”
State of the art (adj)	The latest or most advanced stage of development in a product or technology.	“The new state-of-the-art CRM system has greatly improved our customer management processes.”
Ahead of the curve (adj)	To be more advanced or innovative than others.	“Our IT department is ahead of the curve when it comes to implementing new technologies.”
Pushing the envelope (v)	To innovate or go beyond existing boundaries or limits.	“The software development team is pushing the envelope with its latest project.”
Breaking new ground (v)	To pioneer or introduce new methods or ideas.	“The company is breaking new ground with its revolutionary approach to data analytics.”
Game changer (n)	Something that has a significant impact on a situation or industry.	“The introduction of cloud computing was a game changer for the IT sector.”
Ride the wave (v)	To take advantage of a trend or favourable situation.	“Our startup is riding the wave of mobile app popularity to attract new users.”
Get up to speed (v)	To become familiar or catch up with the latest developments or information.	“The new employee needs to get up to speed with our project management software.”
Turnkey solution (n)	A product or service that is ready for immediate use without needing further adjustments.	“The turnkey solution provided by the software vendor saved us time and resources.”
Plug and play (adj)	Something, typically a device or system, that is easy to set up and use without additional configuration.	“The new printer is plug-and-play, so you can start using it right away.”
Learning curve (n)	The rate of progress in acquiring new knowledge or skills.	“There’s a steep learning curve when it comes to mastering the company’s proprietary software.”
Go pair shaped (v)	To go wrong or fail unexpectedly.	“The software update went pear-shaped, causing our systems to crash.”
Code monkey (n)	A derogatory term for a programmer or software developer.	“Don’t underestimate him; he’s not just a code monkey, he’s a skilled engineer.”
Put out fires (v)	To deal with urgent or unexpected problems or crises as they arise.	“Our IT support team spent the entire day putting out fires after the server went down.”
Bump in the road (n)	A minor obstacle or setback in a plan or project.	“Encountering a few bumps in the road is normal when implementing new software.”
Put a band aid on it (v)	To temporarily fix or address a problem without solving it completely.	“We had to put a band-aid on the software glitch until the developers could release a permanent fix.”
Put a square peg in a round hole (v)	To try to fit something where it doesn’t belong, resulting in an awkward or ineffective situation.	“Using a generic software solution for our specialized industry felt like putting a square peg in a round hole.”
Trojan horse (n)	Something that appears harmless but is actually malicious or harmful.	“The email attachment turned out to be a Trojan horse, infecting our systems with malware.”
Top notch (adj)	Of the highest quality or excellence.	“Our IT team delivered a top-notch solution that exceeded our expectations.”
Go viral (v)	To spread rapidly and widely, especially on the internet.	“The marketing campaign went viral, attracting millions of views and shares on social media.”

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Idiom	Definition	Example Sentence
Get the nod	To receive approval or permission.	“After presenting the proposal, we finally got the nod from the board of directors.”
Get a bite	To make progress or achieve success.	“With the new marketing strategy, we’re starting to get a bite in the market.”
Put the cart before the horse	To do things in the wrong order; to prioritize incorrectly.	“We shouldn’t hire new staff before securing funding; that’s putting the cart before the horse.”
Iron out the wrinkles	To resolve or smooth out problems or difficulties.	“Let’s have a meeting to iron out the wrinkles in the project plan.”
Tie up loose ends	To complete or finalize the remaining details of a task or project.	“Before launching the product, we need to tie up some loose ends in the packaging.”
All systems go	Ready for action; everything is in place and operational.	“The preparations are complete, and it’s all systems go for the event.”
Get the ball rolling	To start or initiate a process or activity.	“Let’s get the ball rolling on the new marketing campaign.”
Put the wheels in motion	To start a process or action; to begin moving forward.	“With the approval of the budget, we can finally put the wheels in motion for the project.”
Full steam ahead	To proceed with maximum effort and enthusiasm.	“Now that we have the green light, it’s full steam ahead with the expansion plans.”
On track	Progressing as planned; in alignment with expectations.	“Despite some setbacks, the project is still on track to meet its deadline.”
In the pipeline	In progress; being worked on or developed.	“We have several new products in the pipeline that we expect to launch next year.”
In the works	Being planned or developed; in the process of being done.	“The new website redesign is in the works and should be ready soon.”
Hit a snag	To encounter a problem or obstacle that slows or halts progress.	“We hit a snag when the supplier couldn’t deliver the materials on time.”
Go belly up	To fail or go out of business.	“Unfortunately, the startup went belly up after just a year of operation.”
Hit a brick wall	To encounter an insurmountable obstacle or barrier.	“We hit a brick wall when the government regulations changed suddenly.”
Fall through the cracks	To be overlooked or neglected; to fail to be noticed or addressed.	“The issue with customer complaints fell through the cracks until it became a major problem.”
Hit the mark	To achieve success or meet expectations.	“The new advertising campaign really hit the mark with our target audience.”
Hit a bullseye	To achieve a goal or target precisely and accurately.	“The new product launch hit a bullseye, exceeding sales projections.”
Cross the finish line	To complete a task or reach a goal.	“After months of hard work, we finally crossed the finish line and launched the project.”
Arrive safe and sound	To reach a destination or complete a journey without any problems or incidents.	“Despite the bad weather, we arrived safe and sound at the conference.”

Idiom	Definition	Example Sentence
Put yourself out there	To make an effort to meet new people or to promote oneself in social or professional settings.	“If you want to advance in your career, you have to put yourself out there and network with industry professionals.”
Get your name out there	To make oneself known or to promote one’s presence, skills, or business in a particular industry or community.	“As a freelancer, it’s essential to get your name out there by showcasing your portfolio and networking at industry events.”
Reach out	To initiate contact or communication with someone, often with the intention of starting or maintaining a relationship.	“I reached out to several potential clients to discuss collaboration opportunities for our upcoming project.”
Get a foot in the door	To establish an initial connection or opportunity that may lead to further opportunities or relationships in the future.	“Getting a foot in the door with that prestigious company could open up many career opportunities for me.”
Break the ice	To initiate or facilitate social interaction or conversation, especially in a new or awkward situation, to make others feel more comfortable.	“At networking events, breaking the ice with a friendly greeting can lead to meaningful connections and conversations.”
Plant the seed	To initiate or introduce an idea, concept, or suggestion, often with the hope that it will develop or grow over time.	“During the meeting, she subtly planted the seed for a potential partnership with the client.”
Build bridges	To establish or improve relationships, connections, or understanding between people or groups, especially in a professional context.	“As a manager, it’s crucial to build bridges between departments to promote collaboration and teamwork.”
Work the room	To socialize or network actively with multiple people at a gathering or event, typically by moving around and engaging with different individuals.	“She spent the evening working the room, introducing herself to potential clients and making valuable connections.”
Schmooze	To engage in friendly and persuasive conversation, often with the aim of gaining an advantage or building relationships in business or social settings.	“He spent the evening schmoozing with industry leaders at the conference, hoping to secure new business opportunities.”
Press the flesh	To engage in face-to-face interaction or physical contact with others, especially to establish connections or rapport, often in a business context.	“At the networking event, he made sure to press the flesh with influential stakeholders and industry professionals.”
Rub elbows with	To associate or socialize closely with influential or important people, especially in a professional or business context.	“To advance his career, he made a conscious effort to rub elbows with key decision-makers in the industry.”
Dip your toe in the water	To cautiously or tentatively begin to engage in an activity or situation, especially when trying something new or unfamiliar.	“Before fully committing to the partnership, they decided to dip their toe in the water with a small pilot project.”
Patch things up	To reconcile or resolve conflicts or disagreements in a relationship, often by repairing trust or communication breakdowns.	“After the disagreement, they met to patch things up and ensure that their business partnership remained strong.”
Extend an olive branch	To offer a gesture of peace, reconciliation, or goodwill to someone with whom one has had a conflict or disagreement.	“In an effort to resolve the dispute, he extended an olive branch to his colleague and proposed a compromise.”
Bury the hatchet	To make peace or resolve conflicts with someone by letting go of past grievances or hostilities.	“After years of rivalry, they decided to bury the hatchet and focus on building a positive working relationship.”
Turn over a new leaf	To make a fresh start or begin anew, often by leaving behind past mistakes or behaviors and adopting a new attitude or approach.	“After the restructuring, the company aimed to turn over a new leaf and focus on innovation and growth.”
Weather the storm	To endure or survive difficult or challenging circumstances, such as conflicts, setbacks, or crises, without being significantly harmed.	“Despite facing economic downturns, the company managed to weather the storm and emerge stronger than before.”
In it for the long haul	Committed to or prepared for a long-term endeavor, relationship, or investment, rather than seeking short-term gains.	“As a startup founder, she knew she was in it for the long haul and was willing to overcome any obstacles along the way.”
Burn your bridges	To damage or destroy relationships, connections, or opportunities, often irreparably, by behaving in a way that is harmful, disrespectful, or unprofessional.	“By quitting without notice, he effectively burned his bridges with his colleagues and jeopardised future job prospects.”
Throw in the towel	To give up or surrender in the face of adversity or difficulty, often after making

Human Resources deals with many facets of staff employment. From sourcing the top talent to deciding on pay and benefits HR has quite a number of highly important responsibilities. The idioms we have included in this particular list are related to choosing staff, onboarding, training, and pay and benefits. See our HR and recruitment idioms list right here.

Idiom	Definition	Example Sentence
Cream of the crop	The best people or things in a group or category.	“Our HR team is tasked with finding the cream of the crop candidates for our executive positions.”
Needle in a haystack	Something that is very difficult to find due to its rarity or the vastness of the search area.	“Finding qualified candidates for this specialized role is like finding a needle in a haystack.”
Cast a wide net	To make a broad or extensive search for something, typically referring to recruitment efforts.	“When hiring for our new project, we need to cast a wide net to ensure we find the right talent.”
Plenty more fish in the sea	There are many options or opportunities available, especially when it comes to finding potential candidates.	“Don’t worry about finding the perfect candidate right away; remember, there are plenty of fish in the sea.”
Hit the ground running	To start something immediately and with full speed, typically referring to a new job or project.	“We need someone who can hit the ground running in this fast-paced environment from day one.”
Learn the ropes	To become familiar with the basic tasks or rules of a new job or activity.	“Our new interns will spend the first week learning the ropes of the company’s policies and procedures.”
Cut your teeth	To gain initial experience or prove oneself in a particular field or area.	“She cut her teeth in the marketing department before transitioning to a leadership role.”
Get the hang of	To become skilled or proficient at something after a period of learning or practice.	“After a few weeks of training, I finally got the hang of the new software system.”
Plain sailing	To be easy and uncomplicated, often used to describe a task or process.	“Despite initial concerns, the project went smoothly and turned out to be plain sailing.”
Golden handcuffs	Financial incentives or benefits given to employees to encourage them to stay with the company.	“The company offered her golden handcuffs in the form of stock options to retain her valuable expertise.”
Golden handshake	A large sum of money or other benefits given to an employee upon retirement or termination.	“After decades of service, she received a generous golden handshake upon her retirement.”
Gravy train	A situation or job that provides easy and profitable work with little effort.	“Working for that consulting firm is like riding the gravy train; the clients just keep coming.”
Paid peanuts	To be paid a very small amount of money for one’s work.	“With the long hours he puts in, it’s frustrating to be paid peanuts compared to his colleagues.”
Hand to mouth	Living from one paycheck or financial windfall to the next, with no savings or security.	“With the rising cost of living, many families find themselves living hand to mouth these days.”
Bring home the bacon	To earn money to support oneself or one’s family.	“As the sole breadwinner, he works hard to bring home the bacon and provide for his family.”
Cherry on top	Something extra that makes a good situation even better.	“The company’s generous vacation policy is the cherry on top of an already great benefits package.”
Silver lining	A hopeful or positive aspect in an otherwise negative situation.	“Despite the setback, there was a silver lining: it forced us to rethink our strategy and innovate.”
Take a breather	To pause or take a short break, especially to relax or regain composure.	“After a hectic day of meetings, I need to take a breather and clear my mind before the next one.”
Down tools	To stop working or cease activity, often used in a labor context.	“When the workers realized they hadn’t been paid, they downed tools and refused to continue until they received their wages.”
Clock in / Clock out	To record one’s arrival and departure times at work using a time clock or similar system.	“Employees are required to clock in and out each day to ensure accurate records of their working hours.”

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Idiom	Definition	Example Sentence
Put on the map	To bring attention to something or someone; to make something widely known or recognized.	The successful marketing campaign helped put our brand on the map in the industry.
Get (something) off the ground	To start or launch something; to begin a project or initiative.	The sales team worked hard to get the new product line off the ground in record time.
Make waves	To cause a significant impact or disturbance; to attract attention and generate interest.	The innovative advertising campaign made waves in the market, attracting a lot of new customers.
Blaze a trail	To be a pioneer or a leader in a particular field; to establish a new path or way of doing things.	Our company aims to blaze a trail in eco-friendly packaging solutions for the industry.
Hit the jackpot	To achieve a great success or win a large reward; to achieve a highly desirable outcome.	The new marketing strategy hit the jackpot, resulting in a significant increase in sales.
Cold call	To make an unsolicited phone call to a potential customer, typically without prior contact or relationship.	The sales representative spent the morning cold calling prospects to generate leads.
Knock on doors	To make a proactive effort to seek opportunities or customers, often through direct outreach.	The startup founders spent weeks knocking on doors to pitch their innovative product to potential investors.
Pound the pavement	To work diligently and persistently, especially in sales or marketing efforts.	The sales team pounded the pavement, visiting numerous clients to promote the new product line.
Strike while the iron’s hot	To act decisively and take advantage of an opportunity when it presents itself.	The marketing team decided to strike while the iron was hot and launch the new campaign ahead of schedule.
Like shooting fish in a barrel	Describing something that is very easy to do; effortless or straightforward.	With the right approach, generating leads from the conference felt like shooting fish in a barrel for the sales team.
A piece of cake	Referring to something that is very easy or simple to do.	Completing the project ahead of schedule was a piece of cake for the experienced team.
A walk in the park	Referring to something that is very easy or requires minimal effort.	The marketing campaign was a walk in the park compared to the complex projects we’ve tackled before.
A tough nut to crack	Describing a problem or challenge that is difficult to solve or overcome.	Convincing the client to sign the contract proved to be a tough nut to crack for the sales team.
Banging your head against a brick wall	To keep trying to do something that is futile or unlikely to succeed; to face repeated obstacles or resistance.	Trying to negotiate with the unreasonable client felt like banging our heads against a brick wall.
Long shot	Referring to something that is unlikely to succeed or achieve the desired outcome.	Winning the bid for the project seemed like a long shot, but we decided to give it our best effort.
On the fence	Unsure or undecided about a particular issue or decision.	The client is still on the fence about signing the contract; we need to address their concerns to win them over.
Sweeten the deal	To make an offer or proposal more attractive by adding something extra or desirable.	To sweeten the deal, the company offered a significant discount for bulk purchases.
Close the deal	To finalize or successfully complete a business transaction or agreement.	The sales representative worked hard to close the deal and secure the contract with the new client.
Hook, line, and sinker	Completely or easily fooled or deceived; to be tricked or conned into believing something.	The smooth-talking salesman managed to convince the customer to buy the product hook, line, and sinker, despite its flaws.
Beat the odds	To achieve success despite facing difficult or unfavorable circumstances.	Against all odds, the startup managed to beat the odds and become profitable within the first year of operation.
Rise to the occasion	To perform well or successfully meet a challenge, especially in difficult circumstances.	Despite the pressure, the marketing team rose to the occasion and delivered an outstanding campaign under tight deadlines.

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Negotiating is one of the most important things in business. Trying to strike a bargain (make an agreement), or create a win-win situation ( where everybody wins) is not always easy. Take a look at our chosen idioms for negotiations.

Idiom	Definition	Example Sentence
Drive a hard bargain	Negotiate aggressively to achieve the best possible deal.	“She drove a hard bargain to secure a lower price for the contract.”
Play hard ball	Negotiate in a tough and uncompromising manner.	“The company decided to play hardball in the negotiation to protect its interests.”
Stand your ground	Maintain a firm position or opinion, especially in the face of opposition.	“Despite the pressure, she stood her ground and refused to compromise on the terms.”
Dig your heels in	Refuse to change your position or opinions.	“He dug his heels in and insisted on his demands during the negotiation.”
Play your cards right	Manage a situation or negotiation skillfully to achieve a favorable outcome.	“If we play our cards right, we can secure a partnership with the company.”
Keep your cards close to your chest	Keep your intentions, plans, or information secret during negotiations.	“He kept his cards close to his chest to prevent the other party from gaining an advantage.”
Have an ace up your sleeve	Have a secret advantage or resource that can be used if needed.	“She always has an ace up her sleeve during negotiations, giving her an edge over her opponents.”
Read between the lines	Understand the hidden or implied meaning in a conversation or negotiation.	“By reading between the lines, she was able to discern the true intentions behind the proposal.”
Bring to the table	Contribute valuable skills, resources, or qualities to a negotiation or discussion.	“He brought years of experience and expertise to the table during the merger negotiations.”
Talk someone into something	Persuade someone to agree to or accept something.	“He managed to talk the investors into supporting the new project.”
Talk someone out of something	Persuade someone not to do or accept something.	“She tried to talk him out of investing in the risky venture.”
Talk something over	Discuss something thoroughly, especially to reach a decision or agreement.	“Let’s talk the terms over before finalizing the contract.”
Leave no stone unturned	Make every possible effort to find or achieve something.	“We left no stone unturned in our search for the best supplier.”
See both sides of the coin	Consider and understand different perspectives or viewpoints.	“It’s important to see both sides of the coin before making a decision.”
Sleep on it	Delay making a decision until the following day, often to gain perspective or clarity.	“I need some time to think. Can I sleep on it and give you an answer tomorrow?”
Change your mind	Reverse a decision or opinion.	“After considering the new information, she changed her mind about the proposal.”
Win-win situation	A situation or outcome in which all parties benefit or are satisfied.	“The negotiated settlement was a win-win situation for both companies.”
Find common ground	Discover shared interests, beliefs, or opinions to reach an agreement or understanding.	“Despite their differences, they managed to find common ground and work together.”
Strike a deal	Reach an agreement or come to terms with someone.	“After lengthy negotiations, they finally struck a deal that satisfied both parties.”
No strings attached	A situation or agreement without any special conditions, obligations, or requirements.	“They offered the donation with no strings attached, allowing the charity to use it as they saw fit.”