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  • Common Business Communication Idioms

    20 Common Business Communication Idioms

    Hey there! 👋

    Have you ever been in a meeting or read an email and heard phrases like “touch base” or “read between the lines” and thought, “What does that really mean?” . You’re definitely not alone. 😀

    These Common Business Communication Idioms are used every day in emails, meetings, presentations, and workplace conversations. Once you understand them, messages become clearer, misunderstandings disappear, and you can communicate more confidently and naturally in professional settings.

    That’s exactly why I’ve created this hub page for Common Business Communication Idioms. It brings together the expressions my students ask about most, all in one place. Each idiom includes a clear explanation, a realistic workplace example, and practical guidance to help you recognise and use it correctly.

    You can use this page as a reference, explore the idioms below, and return to it whenever you want to improve your understanding of business communication in English.

    Teacher Rob 🙋‍♂️

    📌 Business Communication Idioms

    1–5: Making Contact & Staying Updated

    1. 👉 Drop Someone a Line (V)

    Meaning: Send a short message, usually by email or text.
    Example: I’ll drop the client a line to follow up on the proposal.

    2. 👉 Get Ahold of Someone (V)

    Meaning: Successfully contact someone.
    Example: I’ve been trying to get ahold of the IT department all morning.

    3. 👉 Play Phone Tag (V)

    Meaning: Miss each other repeatedly when calling.
    Example: I’ve been playing phone tag with the supplier all week.

    4. 👉 Touch Base (V)

    Meaning: Make brief contact to share updates.
    Example: Let’s touch base next week about the project.

    5. 👉 Keep Someone Posted (V)

    Meaning: Regularly update someone.
    Example: I’ll keep you posted on any changes.

    ✅ Quick Quiz

    1. If you “drop someone a line”, you:



    2. When you finally “get ahold of someone”, you:



    3. If two people are “playing phone tag”, they:



    4. To “touch base” with someone means to:



    5. If you “keep someone posted”, you:





    6–10: Sharing Information Clearly

    6. 👉 Bring Someone Up to Speed (V)

    Meaning: Give someone the latest information.
    Example: Can you bring me up to speed on what I missed?

    7. 👉 Keep Someone in the Loop (V)

    Meaning: Include someone in updates and decisions.
    Example: Please keep the finance team in the loop.

    8. 👉 Put Someone in the Picture (V)

    Meaning: Explain the full situation to someone.
    Example: Put me in the picture before we decide.

    9. 👉 Hear It Through the Grapevine (V)

    Meaning: Hear news informally or through rumours.
    Example: I heard through the grapevine there may be changes.

    10. 👉 Talk Shop (V)

    Meaning: Talk about work or industry topics.
    Example: After the meeting, they stayed to talk shop.

    ✅ Quick Quiz

    1. If you “bring someone up to speed”, you:



    2. To “keep someone in the loop” means to:



    3. If you “put someone in the picture”, you:



    4. If you hear news “through the grapevine”, you hear it:



    5. When people “talk shop”, they:





    11–15: Being Direct & Avoiding Confusion

    11. 👉 Beat Around the Bush (V)

    Meaning: Avoid speaking directly.
    Example: Don’t beat around the bush — what’s the issue?

    12. 👉 Get Straight to the Point (V)

    Meaning: Speak directly about the main issue.
    Example: Let’s get straight to the point.

    13. 👉 Cut to the Chase (V)

    Meaning: Skip details and focus on what matters.
    Example: Let’s cut to the chase and discuss the contract.

    14. 👉 Talk at Cross Purposes (V)

    Meaning: Misunderstand each other while talking.
    Example: We were talking at cross purposes earlier.

    15. 👉 Put Your Foot in Your Mouth (V)

    Meaning: Say something embarrassing by mistake.
    Example: I put my foot in my mouth during the call.

    ✅ Quick Quiz

    1. If someone “beats around the bush”, they:



    2. To “get straight to the point” means to:



    3. If someone says “let’s cut to the chase”, they want to:



    4. When people are “talking at cross purposes”, they:



    5. If you “put your foot in your mouth”, you:





    16–20: Understanding & Aligning with Others

    16. 👉 Read the Room (V)

    Meaning: Notice the mood of a group.
    Example: Read the room before sharing bad news.

    17. 👉 Speak the Same Language (V)

    Meaning: Understand each other clearly.
    Example: Teams must speak the same language to succeed.

    18. 👉 Be on the Same Wavelength (V)

    Meaning: Think or feel the same way.
    Example: We’re on the same wavelength about the plan.

    19. 👉 Hit the Nail on the Head (V)

    Meaning: Say something exactly right.
    Example: You hit the nail on the head with that comment.

    20. 👉 Be on the Same Page (V)

    Meaning: Share the same understanding or agreement.
    Example: Let’s make sure we’re all on the same page.

    ✅ Quick Quiz

    1. If you “read the room”, you:



    2. When teams “speak the same language”, they:



    3. If people are “on the same wavelength”, they:



    4. When someone “hits the nail on the head”, they:



    5. To be “on the same page” means to:





    Did you get 100%?

    There you go – a practical collection of Common Business Communication Idioms you can start recognising and using right away.

    You’ll soon notice these idioms in emails, meetings, calls, and presentations, and now you’ll understand exactly what they mean and how to use them naturally and professionally.

    Which did you like the most? My personal favourite is “touch base” because it’s simple, flexible, and extremely common in everyday business communication. Let me know your favourite in the comments below. I always enjoy hearing from you.

    Want to keep learning? Explore our other idiom guides covering meetings, teamwork, negotiation, and professional communication.

    Happy learning,

    Teacher Rob 🙋‍♂️

    Check out my 👉 Best Way to Learn Idioms Quickly Page

    ℹ️ Other Useful Pages

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    👉 Learn Idioms A-Z Categories

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    We hope you enjoyed our Idioms For Communication.

  • Popular Idioms for Presentations

    20 Popular Idioms for Presentations

    Hey there! 👋

    Have you ever been watching a conference talk, or listening to a speaker and heard phrases like “steal the show” or “end on a high note” and thought, “What does that really mean?” You’re definitely not alone.

    These Popular Idioms for Presentations are commonly used when people talk about public speaking, performance, audience reaction, and presentation success. Once you understand them, it becomes much easier to follow feedback, advice, and discussions about presenting — and to talk about your own presentations more confidently in English.

    That’s exactly why I’ve created this hub page for Popular Idioms for Presentations. It brings together the expressions my students ask about most, all in one place. Each idiom includes a clear definition, a realistic example sentence, and practical guidance to help you recognise and use it naturally.

    You can use this page as a reference, explore the idioms below, and return to it whenever you want to sound more confident and natural when talking about presentations at work or in academic settings.

    Teacher Rob 🙋‍♂️

    1–5: Preparation and Planning

    1. 👉 Get Your Ducks in a Row (v)

    Meaning: Organise everything in advance.
    Example: Before the big presentation, Jane got her ducks in a row by rehearsing and preparing slides.

    2. 👉 Stick to the Script (v)

    Meaning: Follow a prepared plan closely.
    Example: He tried to stick to the script despite technical problems.

    3. 👉 Keep It Under Wraps (V)

    Meaning: Keep something secret.
    Example: The launch details were kept under wraps until the presentation.

    4. 👉 Break New Ground (V)

    Meaning: Do something innovative.
    Example: The presentation broke new ground with its interactive format.

    5. 👉 Break the Mould (v)

    Meaning: Do something in a new or unconventional way.
    Example: Her creative talk broke the mould of typical presentations.

    ✅ Quick Quiz

    1. If you “get your ducks in a row” before a presentation, you:



    2. What does it mean to “stick to the script” during a talk?



    3. If presentation details are “kept under wraps”, they are:



    4. A presentation that “breaks new ground”:



    5. If a speaker “breaks the mould”, they:





    6–10: Grabbing and Holding Audience Attention

    6. 👉 Catch the Audience’s Eye (v)

    Meaning: Attract attention.
    Example: Strong visuals caught the audience’s eye.

    7. 👉 Paint a Vivid Picture (v)

    Meaning: Describe something clearly and vividly.
    Example: He painted a vivid picture of the company’s future.

    8. 👉 Hit the Right Note (v)

    Meaning: Say or do something appropriate.
    Example: The speaker hit the right note with light humour.

    9. 👉 Keep the Audience on the Edge of Their Seats

    Meaning: Keep people excited and engaged.
    Example: Her storytelling kept everyone on the edge of their seats.

    10. 👉 Hold the Floor (v)

    Meaning: Control attention while speaking.
    Example: She held the floor confidently during questions.

    ✅ Quick Quiz

    1. If a speaker “catches the audience’s eye”, they:



    2. What does it mean to “paint a vivid picture” in a presentation?



    3. If a presenter “hits the right note”, they:



    4. A talk that keeps the audience “on the edge of their seats” is:



    5. If someone “holds the floor” during questions, they:





    11–15: Delivery Style and Performance

    11. 👉 Off the Cuff (adj)

    Meaning: Without preparation.
    Example: His off-the-cuff comments impressed the audience.

    12. 👉 Steal the Show (v)

    Meaning: Get the most attention or praise.
    Example: His speech stole the show at the conference.

    13. 👉 Bring the House Down (v)

    Meaning: Receive huge applause or laughter.
    Example: The closing joke brought the house down.

    14. 👉 Hit a Home Run (v)

    Meaning: Be very successful.
    Example: The presentation hit a home run with investors.

    15. 👉 End on a High Note

    Meaning: Finish positively.
    Example: She ended on a high note with strong results.

    ✅ Quick Quiz

    1. If someone speaks “off the cuff” during a presentation, they:



    2. When a speaker “steals the show”, they:



    3. If a joke “brings the house down”, the audience:



    4. A presentation that “hits a home run” is:



    5. If a presenter “ends on a high note”, they:





    16–20: Audience Reaction and Outcomes

    16. 👉 Fall Flat (v)

    Meaning: Fail to get the expected reaction.
    Example: The joke fell flat.

    17. 👉 Go Down Like a Lead Balloon

    Meaning: Be received very badly.
    Example: The proposal went down like a lead balloon.

    18. 👉 Bomb (v)

    Meaning: Fail badly.
    Example: He bombed during the keynote.

    19. 👉 Raise Eyebrows (v)

    Meaning: Cause surprise or concern.
    Example: Her comments raised eyebrows.

    20. 👉 Hit the Right Note

    Meaning: Be well received.
    Example: The final message hit the right note with the audience.

    ✅ Quick Quiz

    1. If a joke or idea “falls flat”, it:



    2. When an idea “goes down like a lead balloon”, people:



    3. If a speaker “bombs” during a keynote, they:



    4. If a comment “raises eyebrows”, it:



    5. When a message “hits the right note”, it is:





    There you go – a practical collection of Popular Idioms for Presentations you can start recognising and using right away.

    You’ll soon notice these idioms in presentation feedback, meetings, training sessions, and conference discussions — and now you’ll understand exactly what they mean and how to use them naturally.

    Which one is your favourite? My personal favourite is “steal the show” because it perfectly describes a presentation that really impresses an audience. Let me know your favourite in the comments below. I always enjoy hearing from you.

    Want to keep learning? Explore our other idiom guides covering meetings, communication, storytelling, and public speaking skills.

    Happy learning,

    Teacher Rob 🙋‍♂️


    📫 👉 Get a Daily Idiom

    We hope you enjoyed our Idioms For Presentations and Speeches. Please comment below.

  • Business Meeting Idioms List

    21 Essential Business Meeting Idioms

    Hi there 👋,

    Have you ever been in a meeting and heard phrases like “let’s get down to business,” “circle back,” or “take this offline” — and felt a bit unsure what they really meant? You’re not alone.

    Business meeting idioms are used constantly in discussions, presentations, and video calls. Once you understand them, meetings become much clearer and your spoken English sounds more natural and confident.

    That’s why I’ve created this Business Meeting Idioms List. Each idiom includes a clear meaning, a simple workplace example, and a short quiz so you can check your understanding and practise using it correctly.

    Take your time, try the quizzes as you go, and start listening for these expressions in your next meeting.

    Teacher Rob 🙋‍♂️

    Starting & Focusing in a Meeting

    1. 👉 Set the Stage (V)

    Meaning: Get ready for something to happen.
    Example: He set the stage for the presentation.

    2. 👉 Kick Things Off (V)

    Meaning: Begin or start something.
    Example: I’ll kick things off by providing a summary of the agenda.

    3. 👉 Get the Show on the Road (V)

    Meaning: Start a task or activity.
    Example: Now that everyone’s here, let’s get the show on the road.

    4. 👉 Get Down to Business (V)

    Meaning: Focus on the main topic.
    Example: Let’s finish the small talk and get down to business.

    5. 👉 Get Down to Brass Tacks (V)

    Meaning: Focus on the most important details.
    Example: Let’s get down to brass tacks and discuss the budget.

     ✅ Quick Quiz

    1. To “set the stage” means to:



    2. If you “kick things off”, you:



    3. To “get the show on the road” means to:



    4. If you “get down to business”, you:



    5. To “get down to brass tacks” means to:





    Creative Thinking & Collaboration

    6. 👉 Think Outside the Box (V)

    Meaning: Think in a creative or new way.
    Example: We need to think outside the box to solve this challenge.

    7. 👉 Put Heads Together (V)

    Meaning: Work together to solve a problem.
    Example: Let’s put our heads together and plan a solution.

    8. 👉 Bounce Ideas Off Each Other (V)

    Meaning: Share ideas and get feedback.
    Example: Team members bounced ideas off each other during the meeting.

    9. 👉 Hash Things Out (V)

    Meaning: Discuss a problem until it is solved.
    Example: We need to hash things out and agree on the timeline.

    10. 👉 Cover All Bases (V)

    Meaning: Prepare for every possible situation.
    Example: Let’s cover all bases before submitting the proposal.

     ✅ Quick Quiz

    1. To “think outside the box” means to:



    2. If a team “puts their heads together”, they:



    3. To “bounce ideas off each other” means to:



    4. If people “hash things out”, they:



    5. To “cover all bases” means to:





    Planning & Reviewing

    11. 👉 Stay on Track (V)

    Meaning: Stay focused on the goal.
    Example: Let’s stay on track and avoid side topics.

    12. 👉 Dot the I’s and Cross the T’s (V)

    Meaning: Check all small details carefully.
    Example: Please dot the i’s and cross the t’s before sending the report.

    13. 👉 Iron Out the Details (V)

    Meaning: Fix small problems or final details.
    Example: We need to iron out the details before signing.

    14. 👉 Touch Upon (V)

    Meaning: Mention something briefly.
    Example: We’ll touch upon the changes later.

    15. 👉 Back to the Drawing Board (V)

    Meaning: Start again because a plan failed.
    Example: The idea didn’t work, so it’s back to the drawing board.

     ✅ Quick Quiz

    1. To “stay on track” means to:



    2. If you “dot the i’s and cross the t’s”, you:



    3. To “iron out the details” means to:



    4. If you “touch upon” something, you:



    5. If it’s “back to the drawing board”, you:





    Ending a Meeting

    16. 👉 Circle Back (V)

    Meaning: Return to a topic later.
    Example: We’ll circle back to that point after the break.

    17. 👉 Get On Board With (V)

    Meaning: Agree with or support an idea.
    Example: We need everyone to get on board with the new strategy.

    18. 👉 Draw to a Close (V)

    Meaning: Come to an end.
    Example: As the meeting draws to a close, thank you for your input.

    19. 👉 Wind Down (V)

    Meaning: Slowly finish or relax after activity.
    Example: As the meeting winds down, let’s summarise the key points.

    20. 👉 Wrap Things Up (V)

    Meaning: Finish something completely.
    Example: Before we wrap things up, are there any final questions?

    21. 👉 Stay in Sync (V)

    Meaning: Work well together and stay aligned.
    Example: All departments need to stay in sync this week.

     ✅ Quick Quiz

    1. To “circle back” means to:



    2. If everyone “gets on board with” an idea, they:



    3. When a meeting “draws to a close”, it:



    4. If a meeting “winds down”, it:



    5. To “wrap things up” means to:



    6. If a team “stays in sync”, they:





    Did you get 100%?

    Conclusion

    There you go — a practical list of business meeting idioms, plus quizzes to help you remember and use them with confidence.

    You’ll soon hear these expressions in meetings, follow-up emails, and team calls — and now you’ll know exactly what they mean and when to use them. The quizzes are there to help turn passive understanding into real lasting memory.

    Choose a few idioms to focus on this week, test yourself with the quizzes, and try using one in your next meeting or message.

    Have a favourite meeting idiom? Let me know in the comments — I always enjoy hearing from you. My favourite is “think outside the box.

    Happy learning,

    Teacher Rob 🙋‍♂️

    Need help learning the idioms?

    Check out my 👉 Best Way to Learn Idioms Quickly Page

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  • Business English Idioms List

    Master the Language of Business with Our Business English Idioms List

    There is no better way to become fluent in business language than to get a firm grasp of Business English idioms. The average native speaker uses idioms as part of their natural speech daily. Business situations especially lend themselves well to the use of idioms.

    On this page you will see our extensive category list for our 500 Business English idioms. We have broken them down into categories which should hopefully make them easier to digest. We are currently working on an interactive course to help English learners mater these more than 500 idioms. Take a look at our Business English Idiom list.

    Learn How To

    • Express yourself more naturally: Idioms are commonly used in everyday business conversations, allowing you to sound more like a native speaker.
    • Understand native speakers better: Knowing common idioms will help you comprehend and respond to conversations more effectively.
    • Build stronger relationships: Idioms can be a great way to connect with others on a cultural level and foster stronger

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