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Category: business english idioms

  • Burn Your Bridges

    🗓️ Idiom: Burn (your) Bridges (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To destroy a relationship or connection, making it impossible to return or repair it in the future.
    • It often refers to leaving a job or ending a relationship in a way that prevents future collaboration or contact.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • He quit his job by yelling at his boss, he really burned his bridges.
    • You don’t want to burn bridges with that client; we might need them later.
    • She left without notice and blocked everyone, completely burning her bridges.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from military history, where armies would burn bridges after crossing them to prevent retreat or pursuit. Metaphorically, it now refers to taking actions that permanently close off previous paths or relationships.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    She didn’t want to __________, so she gave two weeks’ notice and thanked everyone.

    Answer

    burn her bridges

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

    A) To improve communication
    B) To end a relationship with no way to return
    C) To take a break from work

    Answer

    B) To end a relationship with no way to return

    3. Rewrite the sentence using: Burn Your Bridges

    “He left the company in such a bad way that they’ll never hire him again.”

    Answer

    He burned his bridges with the company.

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  • In It For the Long Haul

    🗓️ Idiom: In It for the Long Haul (adj)

    💬 Meaning

    • To be committed to something for a long period of time, especially when challenges or hard work are involved.
    • It shows persistence and a willingness to stick with a relationship, project, or goal over time.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • She knew building trust would take time, but she was in it for the long haul.
    • When we started this partnership, we agreed we were both in it for the long haul.
    • He’s not just here for quick wins, he’s in it for the long haul.

    🏛️ Origin

    The phrase comes from transportation, where a “long haul” refers to a long journey or delivery. It later became a metaphor for sticking with something over time, despite obstacles or slow progress.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    They’re serious about the collaboration and clearly __________.

    Answer

    in it for the long haul

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “in it for the long haul”:

    A) Expecting quick results
    B) Willing to commit long-term
    C) Unsure about their goals

    Answer

    B) Willing to commit long-term

    3. Rewrite the sentence using: In it For the Long Haul

    “He plans to keep working on the project no matter how long it takes.”

    Answer

    He’s in it for the long haul.

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  • Weather the Storm

    🗓️ Idiom: Weather the Storm (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To survive a difficult or challenging situation without giving up or being defeated.
    • Often used in business or personal contexts to describe enduring hard financial times until conditions improve.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • The company managed to weather the storm during the economic recession.
    • We had some tough months, but our team weathered the storm and came out stronger.
    • He weathered the storm of negative press and eventually rebuilt his reputation.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from nautical language. Ships at sea must “weather the storm” by enduring severe weather without sinking. Over time, the phrase came to representing facing and overcoming adversity in any context.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    The small business had to __________ during the pandemic to stay afloat.

    Answer

    weather the storm

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “weather the storm”:

    A) Avoid responsibility
    B) Survive a difficult situation
    C) Complain about problems

    Answer

    B) Survive a difficult situation

    3. Rewrite the sentence using: Weather the Storm

    “She stayed strong through months of financial hardship.”

    Answer

    She weathered the storm through months of financial hardship.

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  • Turn Over a New Leaf

    🗓️ Idiom: Turn Over a New Leaf (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To start fresh or make a positive change in one’s behavior, attitude, or lifestyle.
    • It refers to abandoning old habits and adopting better ones, often after a mistake or failure.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • After missing several deadlines, she promised to turn over a new leaf and improve her work ethic.
    • He turned over a new leaf by arriving early and contributing more in meetings.
    • The company turned over a new leaf with a new CEO and a clearer mission.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from the time when “leaf” referred to a page in a book. To “turn over a new leaf” meant to flip to a fresh page, symbolising a fresh start or new beginning.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    After receiving negative feedback, the employee decided to __________ and take more initiative at work.

    Answer

    turn over a new leaf

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “turn over a new leaf”:

    A) To repeat the same behavior
    B) To make a fresh start or improve
    C) To close a book

    Answer

    B) To make a fresh start or improve

    3. Rewrite the sentence using: Turn Over a New Leaf

    “He stopped being careless at work and began trying his best.”

    Answer

    He turned over a new leaf and stopped being careless at work.

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  • 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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