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Category: business english idioms

  • Given the Third Degree

    🗓️ Idiom: Given the Third Degree (V)

    💬 Meaning

    • To be questioned in a very intense or detailed way.
    • To feel pressure because someone keeps asking many follow-up questions.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • During the interview, I felt like I was given the third degree about my work history.
    • The manager was given the third degree when the board asked him to explain the results.
    • She worried she would be given the third degree in the panel interview.

    🏛️ Origin

    The expression “the third degree” began in the early twentieth century. It was used to describe very tough questioning, especially when someone wanted the whole truth.It became a common idiom for any situation where a person is asked many difficult or detailed questions.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank

    During the job interview, I felt like I was __________ about every part of my CV.

    Answer

    given the third degree

    2. Multiple choice

    What does “given the third degree” mean?
    a) Being asked very intense or detailed questions
    b) Being given more time to prepare
    c) Being told the interview is over early

    Answer

    a) Being asked very intense or detailed questions

    3. Change the sentence using “given the third degree”

    “They questioned me again and again during the interview.”

    Answer

    I was given the third degree during the interview.

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  • Under the Microscope

    🗓️ Idiom: Under the Microscope (adj)

    💬 Meaning

    • To be examined very closely.
    • To have your actions, answers or performance watched in great detail.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • During the panel interview, every answer felt under the microscope.
    • The company’s results were under the microscope after the poor sales quarter.
    • She knew her skills would be under the microscope during the technical test.

    🏛️ Origin

    The idiom comes from the scientific tool used to look at very small details. When something is “under the microscope,” it is studied carefully. The phrase later became a metaphor for moments when people feel closely examined or judged.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank

    During the interview, my problem-solving skills were __________ as they watched every step.

    Answer

    under the microscope

    2. Multiple choice

    What does “under the microscope” mean?
    a) Being examined very closely
    b) Being given more time to think
    c) Being allowed to skip questions

    Answer

    a) Being examined very closely

    3. Change the sentence using “under the microscope”

    “They checked every detail of my answers during the interview.”

    Answer

    My answers were under the microscope during the interview.

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  • Put on the Spot

    🗓️ Idiom: Put on the Spot (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To be asked a question or given a task suddenly, without time to prepare.
    • To feel pressure because you must respond immediately.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • During the interview, I was put on the spot when they asked me to solve a problem quickly.
    • She felt put on the spot when the panel asked her to talk about her weaknesses.
    • The manager was put on the spot when the team requested an immediate decision.

    🏛️ Origin

    The idiom comes from theatre and public speaking. When someone was placed “on the spot,” they stood in a bright spotlight where everyone watched them closely. The phrase began to describe any situation where a person faces sudden pressure to respond.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank

    During the interview, I was __________ when they asked me an unexpected question.

    Answer

    put on the spot

    2. Multiple choice

    What does “put on the spot” mean?
    a) To be asked something suddenly without preparation
    b) To have extra time to think
    c) To finish the interview early

    Answer

    a) To be asked something suddenly without preparation

    3. Change the sentence using “put on the spot”

    “I felt stressed when they suddenly asked me to explain my biggest mistake.”

    Answer

    I was put on the spot when they suddenly asked me to explain my biggest mistake.

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  • Being Grilled

    🗓️ Idiom: Being Grilled (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To be asked many difficult or detailed questions.
    • To feel pressure because someone wants clear and honest answers.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • Many candidates worry about being grilled by a strict interviewer.
    • The manager was grilled during the meeting when the team wanted an explanation.
    • She felt she was being grilled when the panel kept asking follow-up questions.

    🏛️ Origin

    The idiom comes from the idea of grilling food over high heat. Over time, people began using “grilled” to describe situations where someone faces intense questioning that feels uncomfortable, similar to being under strong heat. It is now commonly used in business, interviews and meetings.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank

    During the job interview, I was __________ about my past experience.

    Answer

    being grilled

    2. Multiple choice

    What does “being grilled” mean?
    a) Being asked many difficult questions
    b) Being offered a promotion
    c) Being given more time to prepare

    Answer

    a) Being asked many difficult questions

    3. Change the sentence using “being grilled”

    “They asked me one challenging question after another during the interview.”

    Answer

    I was being grilled during the interview.

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  • In the Hot Seat

    🗓️ Idiom: In the Hot Seat (adj)

    💬 Meaning

    • To be in a position where you must answer difficult questions or face pressure.
    • To feel under stress because others are watching or judging your performance.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • Many candidates feel in the hot seat when the interviewer asks unexpected questions.
    • The manager was in the hot seat during the meeting when the board demanded answers.
    • She knew she would be in the hot seat as soon as the panel interview began.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from the idea of sitting in a place where someone faces strong attention or pressure. In the past, it was linked to the idea of being questioned intensely, similar to being in a very hot or uncomfortable chair. It became a common expression for any stressful situation where someone must respond or perform.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank

    During the interview, I felt like I was __________ when they asked me to explain my biggest mistake.

    Answer

    in the hot seat

    2. Multiple choice

    When is someone “in the hot seat”?
    a) When they are relaxing at home
    b) When they must answer tough questions
    c) When they are taking a lunch break

    Answer

    b) When they must answer tough questions

    3. Change the sentence using “in the hot seat”

    “I was under pressure when the panel asked me difficult questions.”

    Answer

    I was in the hot seat when the panel asked me difficult questions.

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  • Have Butterflies in Your Stomach

    🗓️ Idiom: Have Butterflies in Your Stomach (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To feel nervous before something important.
    • A light, shaky feeling caused by stress or excitement.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • Many candidates have butterflies in their stomach before a big job interview.
    • She always has butterflies in her stomach when speaking to a panel.
    • He prepared well, but he still had butterflies in his stomach before meeting the hiring manager.

    🏛️ Origin

    The idiom comes from the idea that strong nerves or excitement can make your stomach feel light or fluttery. People began comparing this feeling to small butterflies moving inside the stomach, and the expression became common in English in the early twentieth century.

    1. Fill in the blank

    Before the interview started, I had __________ because I wanted to do well.

    Answer

    butterflies in my stomach

    2. Multiple choice

    Which situation best shows someone having butterflies in their stomach?
    a) Feeling excited and nervous before a job interview
    b) Feeling bored during a long meeting
    c) Feeling confused about a new schedule

    Answer

    a) Feeling excited and nervous before a job interview

    3. Change the sentence using “have butterflies in your stomach”

    “I felt very nervous as I waited for the interview to begin.”

    Answer

    I had butterflies in my stomach as I waited for the interview to begin.

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  • To Move On

    🗓️ Idiom: To Move On (phrasal verb)

    💬 Meaning

    • To stop focusing on a past conflict or problem.
    • To continue forward instead of staying stuck in disagreement or negative feelings.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • After discussing the issue, both managers agreed to move on and focus on the upcoming project.
    • The customer was still upset, but the support agent encouraged them to move on after the refund was processed.
    • Once the team resolved the misunderstanding, everyone decided to move on and rebuild trust.

    🏛️ Origin

    The phrase “move on” comes from the simple idea of physically moving forward and away from something. It now means moving past something emotionally or mentally after a problem or conflict. It is now commonly used in workplaces to encourage closure and a fresh start.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    The disagreement was finally settled, and both sides agreed to __________ and start fresh.

    Answer

    move on

    2. Choose the correct answer:
    To “move on” means to:
    a) Restart the argument
    b) Stay upset about the issue
    c) Leave the problem behind and continue forward

    Answer

    c) Leave the problem behind and continue forward

    3. Change the sentence using “move on”:
    “They decided to stop focusing on the old complaint and look ahead.”

    Answer

    They decided to move on and look ahead.

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  • Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

    🗓️ Idiom: Let Sleeping Dogs Lie (V+Ph)

    💬 Meaning

    • To avoid restarting an old argument or problem.
    • To leave a situation alone because doing anything may cause trouble.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • The manager chose to let sleeping dogs lie and didn’t reopen last month’s conflict between the teams.
    • The customer finally stopped complaining, so the support agent decided to let sleeping dogs lie and not bring up the issue again.
    • HR advised them to let sleeping dogs lie rather than revisit the disagreement from last year.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom dates back to the Middle Ages. People believed that disturbing a sleeping dog could be dangerous because the dog might wake up suddenly and attack. Over time, the phrase became a metaphor for avoiding old problems that could “bite” if brought up again.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    The argument had finally ended, so everyone agreed it was best to __________ and move on.

    Answer

    let sleeping dogs lie

    2. Choose the correct answer:
    If you “let sleeping dogs lie,” you:
    a) Start a new conflict
    b) Avoid reopening an old problem
    c) Demand a full explanation

    Answer

    b) Avoid reopening an old problem

    3. Change the sentence using “let sleeping dogs lie”:
    “He decided not to bring up the old complaint again.”

    Answer

    He decided to let sleeping dogs lie.

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  • To Patch Things up

    🗓️ Idiom: To Patch Things Up (v phrase)

    💬 Meaning

    • To fix a disagreement or repair a damaged relationship.
    • To solve a problem between people so they can get along again.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • After their argument about the project deadline, the two colleagues met privately to patch things up.
    • The customer was upset, but the support agent managed to patch things up by offering a clear solution.
    • HR encouraged both sides to talk openly so they could patch things up before the next meeting.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from the idea of patching torn fabric by sewing a piece over the damaged area. The phrase became a way to describe repairing emotional or social “damage” between people, especially after a conflict.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    After the disagreement, they set up a quick meeting to __________ before the client presentation.

    Answer

    patch things up

    2. Choose the correct answer:
    If two coworkers “patch things up,” they:
    a) Make the conflict worse
    b) Avoid speaking to each other
    c) Repair their relationship

    Answer

    c) Repair their relationship

    3. Change the sentence using “patch things up”:
    “They decided to fix their disagreement before working together again.”

    Answer

    They decided to patch things up before working together again.

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  • Shake Hands and Make Up

    🗓️ Idiom: Shake Hands and Make Up (verb phrase)

    💬 Meaning

    • To end an argument and become friendly again.
    • To agree to forgive each other after a conflict.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • After the tense meeting, the two managers decided to shake hands and make up.
    • The teammates shook hands and made up so they could focus on the deadline.
    • HR helped both sides talk through the issue so they could shake hands and make up.

    🏛️ Origin

    The phrase comes from the long-standing tradition of shaking hands as a sign of peace, agreement, or trust. When people “make up,” they end a disagreement. The two ideas were combined to describe formally settling a conflict and restoring good relations.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    After arguing all morning, they finally agreed to __________ and continue the project.

    Answer

    shake hands and make up

    2. Choose the correct answer:
    If two colleagues “shake hands and make up,” they:
    a) Start a new argument
    b) Decide to end the conflict
    c) Ignore each other completely

    Answer

    b) Decide to end the conflict

    3. Change the sentence using “shake hands and make up”:
    “Both sides agreed to stop fighting and work together again.”

    Answer

    Both sides agreed to shake hands and make up.

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