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Category: Business Idioms & Phrasal Verbs

  • Bury the Hatchet

    🗓️ Idiom: Bury the Hatchet (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To make peace or reconcile after a disagreement or conflict.
    • It means to forget past arguments or resentment and restore a friendly relationship.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • After years of not speaking, the two business partners finally buried the hatchet and started collaborating again.
    • They decided to bury the hatchet for the sake of the team’s success.
    • Sometimes, you just have to let go of old grudges and bury the hatchet.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom originates from Native American traditions, where tribal leaders would bury weapons (like a hatchet) as a symbolic act of peace during negotiations or treaties.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    After months of tension, the two colleagues agreed to __________ and work together professionally.

    Answer

    bury the hatchet

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “bury the hatchet”:

    A) To hold a grudge
    B) To declare war
    C) To make peace and end a conflict

    Answer

    C) To make peace and end a conflict

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “They ended their argument and made peace with each other.” → Change the sentence using: bury the hatchet

    Answer

    They buried the hatchet and made peace with each other.

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  • Extend an Olive Branch

    🗓️ Idiom: Extend an Olive Branch (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To make a gesture of peace or reconciliation after a disagreement or conflict.
    • It means to try to end an argument or create harmony by showing goodwill.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • After their heated debate, Maria extended an olive branch by inviting her colleague out for coffee.
    • The CEO extended an olive branch to the union leaders by offering to reopen negotiations.
    • He realized the friendship was worth saving, so he decided to extend an olive branch.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from ancient Greek and Roman traditions, where the olive branch was a symbol of peace and victory. It has also been used in religious texts, such as the Bible, where a dove brings back an olive leaf as a sign that the flood had ended.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    After their disagreement, Jenna decided to __________ by sending a kind message.

    Answer

    extend an olive branch

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “extend an olive branch”:

    A) To declare war
    B) To offer peace or reconciliation
    C) To avoid confrontation

    Answer

    B) To offer peace or reconciliation

    3. Rewrite the sentence using: Extend an Olive Branch

    “He tried to make peace by offering to help with the project.”

    Answer

    He extended an olive branch by offering to help with the project.

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  • Patch Things Up

    🗓️ Idiom: Patch Things Up (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To repair a relationship or fix a disagreement or conflict.
    • It refers to resolving issues and restoring harmony between people after a dispute.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • After their argument, they met for coffee to patch things up.
    • The manager encouraged the two team members to patch things up before the next meeting.
    • She tried to patch things up with her old friend after years of silence.

    🏛️ Origin

    Originally used in reference to sewing or fixing torn fabric, “patching things up” began to be used to describe mending emotional or social rifts in relationships.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    After the disagreement, they decided to meet and __________.

    Answer

    patch things up

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “patch things up”:

    A) To move to a new city
    B) To fix or repair a relationship
    C) To clean something thoroughly

    Answer

    B) To fix or repair a relationship

    3. Rewrite the sentence using: Patch Things Up

    They resolved their differences and became friends again.

    Answer

    They patched things up and became friends again.

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  • Dip Your Toe in the Water

    🗓️ Idiom: Dip Your Toe in the Water (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To try something out on a small scale to see if you like it or if it works.
    • It refers to testing or experimenting with something before making a bigger commitment.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • She dipped her toe in the water by freelancing part-time before quitting her job.
    • We’re just dipping our toes in the water with this new market before fully launching.
    • Before committing to the merger, the company dipped its toe in the water with a small partnership.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from the act of testing the temperature of water with a toe before jumping in. It has evolved to describe testing new experiences or ventures with caution or curiosity.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    They didn’t go all-in at first. They just __________ by investing a small amount.

    Answer

    dipped their toe in the water

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “dip your toe in the water”:

    A) To avoid making a decision
    B) To cautiously try something new
    C) To cancel a plan suddenly

    Answer

    B) To cautiously try something new

    3. Rewrite the sentence using: Dip Your Toe in the Water.

    “He tried teaching by volunteering for a weekend class.”

    Answer

    He dipped his toe in the water by volunteering for a weekend class.

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  • Rub Elbows With

    🗓️ Idiom: Rub Elbows With (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To associate or mix socially with influential, famous, or important people.
    • This idiom suggests close contact or socializing with others, often in professional or high-status settings.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • At the awards gala, the young entrepreneur rubbed elbows with industry leaders.
    • She loves her job because it allows her to rub elbows with celebrities and VIPs.
    • He’s always looking for events where he can rub elbows with decision-makers.

    🏛️ Origin

    The idiom likely comes from the physical closeness of crowded gatherings, where people’s elbows might literally touch. It evolved to describe socializing in elite or professional circles, where making connections through proximity is important.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    The conference was a great opportunity for young professionals to __________ top executives.

    Answer

    rub elbows with

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “rub elbows with”:

    A) To avoid social events
    B) To argue with someone
    C) To socialize or network with influential people

    Answer

    C) To socialize or network with influential people

    3. Rewrite the sentence using: Rub Elbows With.

    “He attended the gala to meet and socialize with business leaders.”

    Answer

    He attended the gala to rub elbows with business leaders.

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  • Press the Flesh

    🗓️ Idiom: Press the Flesh (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To meet and greet people in person, often by shaking hands and making direct personal contact.
    • This idiom is commonly used in political, business, or networking contexts to describe efforts to build rapport through face-to-face interaction.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • The politician spent hours pressing the flesh at the campaign rally.
    • Startup founders often press the flesh at industry events to find new investors.
    • She’s great at pressing the flesh and making everyone feel heard.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom’s origin is specifically linked to political campaigning in the early to mid-20th century. Politicians, aiming to connect with voters, would physically move through crowds, shaking hands with as many individuals as possible.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    The sales team hit the road to __________ with new clients and strengthen relationships.

    Answer

    press the flesh

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “press the flesh”:

    A) To lift weights for exercise
    B) To interact face-to-face, especially by shaking hands
    C) To avoid personal contact

    Answer

    B) To interact face-to-face, especially by shaking hands

    3. Change the sentence using: Press the Flesh

    “The CEO attended the networking event to meet people and make connections.”

    Answer

    The CEO attended the networking event to press the flesh.

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  • Schmooze

    🗓️ Idiom: Schmooze (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To engage in informal, friendly conversation, often with the intention of gaining favour, making connections, or advancing professionally.
    • It’s typically used in networking or business situations where relationship-building is important.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • He spent the cocktail hour schmoozing with potential investors.
    • You don’t need to be fake, just relax and schmooze a little, it helps build rapport.
    • Some people are great at schmoozing their way into better opportunities.

    🏛️ Origin

    “Schmooze” comes from the Yiddish word shmuesn, meaning “to chat.” It entered American English in the early 20th century and gained popularity in business and media circles to describe smooth, strategic small talk.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    At the networking event, she managed to __________ her way into a meeting with the VP.

    Answer

    schmooze

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “schmooze”:

    A) To argue aggressively with someone
    B) To chat casually to build connections
    C) To stay silent and observe

    Answer

    B) To chat casually to build connections

    3. Change the sentence using: Schmooze

    “He talked casually with the clients to build a stronger relationship.”

    Answer

    He schmoozed with the clients to build a stronger relationship.

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  • Work the Room

    🗓️ Idiom: Work the Room (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To move around a social or professional gathering, actively engaging with many people.
    • Used especially when trying to build relationships, make connections, or leave a good impression.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • She worked the room like a pro, introducing herself to every potential client.
    • If you’re going to succeed at networking events, you have to learn how to work the room.
    • The candidate spent the first half hour working the room before sitting down for dinner.

    🏛️ Origin

    Its origin lies in late 19th and early 20th-century politics and sales. Politicians and salespeople learned to efficiently “work” (manoeuvre through) crowds to connect with as many individuals as possible for votes, donations, or sales.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    He grabbed a drink and immediately started to __________ the room, shaking hands and chatting with guests.

    Answer

    work

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “work the room”:

    A) Rearrange the furniture at a venue
    B) Greet and engage with many people at a gathering
    C) Clean up after a meeting

    Answer

    B) Greet and engage with many people at a gathering

    3. Rewrite the sentence using: Work the Room.

    “She introduced herself to everyone at the event and made some useful contacts.”

    Answer

    She worked the room and made some useful contacts.

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  • Build Bridges

    🗓️ Idiom: Build Bridges (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To improve relationships between people or groups who may not understand or trust each other.
    • Often used in business or diplomacy when fostering cooperation and resolving differences.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • The new manager focused on building bridges between departments.
    • Attending industry events is a great way to build bridges with potential partners.
    • She worked hard to build bridges after the disagreement with her client.

    🏛️ Origin

    The idiom comes from the physical act of building a bridge to connect two sides. In a metaphorical sense, it means forming connections and overcoming divides between people or groups.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    After the heated negotiation, both sides tried to __________ bridges to move forward.

    Answer

    build

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “build bridges”:

    A) To end a relationship
    B) To establish connections and improve relationships
    C) To avoid conflict by walking away

    Answer

    B) To establish connections and improve relationships

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “He made an effort to improve the relationship with his former colleague.” → Change the sentence using: build bridges

    Answer

    He made an effort to build bridges with his former colleague.

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  • Plant the Seed

    🗓️ Idiom: Plant the Seed (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To begin an idea, thought, or plan that may develop or grow over time.
    • Often used when initiating a conversation or suggestion that could lead to future action or results.
    • Give someone an idea hoping it can develop later.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • She planted the seed for collaboration during the casual lunch meeting.
    • The CEO planted the seed for expansion by mentioning new markets in his speech.
    • I don’t expect a decision today. I just wanted to plant the seed for next quarter.

    🏛️ Origin

    The idiom “plant the seed” directly originates from agriculture and gardening. It refers to the act of putting a seed into the ground. Then, with watering and taking care it grows into a plant.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    During the meeting, he __________ the seed for a new marketing strategy.

    Answer

    planted

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “plant the seed”:

    A) To finalize a decision
    B) To introduce an idea that may grow later
    C) To reject a suggestion quickly

    Answer

    B) To introduce an idea that may grow later

    3. Change the sentence using: Plant the Seed.

    “She started the discussion that eventually led to a new partnership.”

    Answer

    She planted the seed that eventually led to a new partnership.

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