Business Idioms Explained: 20 Must-Know Expressions for 2026
Hey everyone, Teacher Rob here! 😊
Ever listened to a meeting and felt a little lost when people start throwing around phrases like “let’s not open a can of worms” or “the ball is in your court”? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! These are classic business idioms that native speakers use every single day, and once you know them, you’ll instantly sound more confident and professional.
Today I’ve chosen 20 fresh business idioms explained with very clear meanings, natural examples, and links to the full page for each one (perfect if you want to go deeper). We’ll go through them in four easy groups of five, and after every group there’s a fun interactive quiz to help you remember them forever.
Ready to level up your workplace English in 2026? Let’s dive in! 🚀
📈 Group 1 – Planning & Strategy
👉 Put the cart before the horse (v)
Meaning: To do things in the wrong order.
Example: Deciding the budget before the project scope is putting the cart before the horse.
👉 Back to the drawing board (n)
Meaning: To start planning again because the first plan failed.
Example: The client rejected our proposal, so it’s back to the drawing board.
👉 Open a can of worms (v)
Meaning: To create a complicated or difficult situation.
Example: Changing the software now would open a can of worms right before launch.
👉 Cross that bridge when we come to it (v)
Meaning: To deal with a problem when it actually happens, not before.
Example: We don’t know the final cost yet, let’s cross that bridge when we come to it.
👉 Play it by ear (v)
Meaning: To decide what to do as the situation develops, without a fixed plan.
Example: The schedule is still changing, so we’ll just play it by ear on the day.
✅ Quick Quiz – Group 1
1. Designing the logo before the brand name is _______. (wrong order)
A) back to the drawing board B) putting the cart before the horse C) play it by ear
Answer ✓
B) putting the cart before the horse – Great catch!
2. The prototype failed completely, now it’s _______. (start again)
A) open a can of worms B) back to the drawing board C) cross that bridge
Answer ✓
B) back to the drawing board – Classic project phrase!
3. Asking about bonuses in January would _______. (cause lots of problems)
A) open a can of worms B) play it by ear C) put the cart before the horse
Answer ✓
A) open a can of worms – Very common warning!
🤑 Group 2 – Money & Results
👉 Cook the books (v)
Meaning: To illegally change financial records.
Example: The accountant was fired for cooking the books.
👉 In the red (adj)
Meaning: Losing money; having negative finances.
Example: The company has been in the red for three quarters.
👉 Bleed cash (v)
Meaning: Lose money very quickly.
Example: That new office is bleeding cash, we need to act fast.
👉 Rake it in (v)
Meaning: Earning a lot of money.
Example: Their new product is raking it in this year.
👉 Cost an arm and a leg (v)
Meaning: To be very expensive.
Example: The new software costs an arm and a leg, but it’s worth it.
✅ Quick Quiz – Group 2
6. The finance team discovered someone had been _______. (falsifying accounts)
A) in the red B) cooking the books C) raking it in
Answer ✓
B) cooking the books – Well spotted!
7. After six months of losses, the startup is still _______. (negative balance)
A) bleeding cash B) in the red C) costing an arm and a leg
Answer ✓
B) in the red – Very common in reports!
8. The marketing campaign is _______. (losing money fast)
A) raking it in B) bleeding cash C) cooking the books
Answer ✓
B) bleeding cash – Urgent situation!
9. Since the product launch, the company has been _______. (making lots of money)
A) raking it in B) in the red C) costing an arm and a leg
Answer ✓
A) raking it in – Lovely result!
10. Hiring that consultant will _______. (be extremely expensive)
A) cost an arm and a leg B) bleed cash C) rake it in
Answer ✓
A) cost an arm and a leg – Everyone says this!
🧑💼 Group 3 – People & Performance
👉 Wear many hats (v)
Meaning: To have many different responsibilities.
Example: In a startup, everyone wears many hats.
👉 Burn the midnight oil (v)
Meaning: To work very late into the night.
Example: The team burned the midnight oil to meet the deadline.
👉 Hands are tied (adj)
Meaning: Unable to act freely because of rules or circumstances.
Example: I’d love to help, but my hands are tied by company policy.
👉 Pass the buck (v)
Meaning: To shift responsibility to someone else.
Example: Don’t pass the buck, own your decisions.
👉 The ball is in your court (n)
Meaning: It’s your turn to make a decision or take action.
Example: I’ve sent the contract, the ball is in your court now.
✅ Quick Quiz – Group 3
11. In our small team, everyone has to _______. (do several jobs)
A) burn the midnight oil B) wear many hats C) pass the buck
Answer ✓
B) wear many hats – Typical in startups!
12. We _______ to finish the presentation before the morning meeting. (worked late)
A) burned the midnight oil B) had our hands tied C) passed the buck
Answer ✓
A) burned the midnight oil – Hard workers!
13. I can’t approve the discount, _______. (not allowed)
A) the ball is in my court B) my hands are tied C) I’m wearing many hats
Answer ✓
B) my hands are tied – Very polite way to say no!
14. When something goes wrong, he always tries to _______. (blame others)
A) pass the buck B) burn the midnight oil C) wear many hats
Answer ✓
A) pass the buck – Not a good look!
15. I’ve given you all the information, now _______. (your turn)
A) the ball is in your court B) my hands are tied C) we’re back to the drawing board
Answer ✓
A) the ball is in your court – Classic closing line!
⚠️ Group 4 – Competition & Risk
👉 Level playing field (n)
Meaning: A situation where everyone has an equal chance.
Example: New regulations created a level playing field for all companies.
👉 Raise the stakes (v)
Meaning: To make a situation more important or risky.
Example: Offering a big discount really raised the stakes in the negotiation.
👉 Safe bet (n)
Meaning: A choice that is almost certain to be successful.
Example: Hiring her is a safe bet, she has an amazing track record.
👉 Play your cards right (v)
Meaning: To act in the best way to achieve success.
Example: Play your cards right and you could get promoted this year.
👉 Cut your losses (v)
Meaning: To stop something that is failing to prevent further loss.
Example: The project was losing money, so we decided to cut our losses.
✅ Quick Quiz – Group 4
16. The new law finally created a _______. (everyone has equal opportunity)
A) level playing field B) safe bet C) raised stakes
Answer ✓
A) level playing field – Fairness phrase!
17. Adding that clause really _______. (made it more serious)
A) raised the stakes B) cut our losses C) played our cards right
Answer ✓
A) raised the stakes – Drama increases!
18. Choosing this supplier is a _______. (very low risk)
A) cut your losses B) safe bet C) level playing field
Answer ✓
B) safe bet – Everyone loves certainty!
19. If you _______ this year, the promotion is yours. (make smart moves)
A) play your cards right B) raise the stakes C) cut your losses
Answer ✓
A) play your cards right – Great career advice!
20. The product wasn’t selling, so we decided to _______. (stop and minimise loss)
A) raise the stakes B) cut our losses C) play it by ear
Answer ✓
B) cut our losses – Sometimes the smart choice!
And that’s it, 20 brand-new business idioms explained and ready to use! 🎉
Which one are you going to try first? Drop me a comment below, I read every single one and love hearing how these help you in real meetings and emails!
If you loved this, please share it with a colleague and hit subscribe so you never miss a new list. Keep practising, keep shining, and I’ll see you in the next one!
Teacher Rob 😊
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