Ethics play a vital role in business, guiding decisions on fairness, honesty, and responsibility. To discuss these values, professionals often use simple yet powerful expressions. In this post, we’ll look at common ethics idioms for business that highlight integrity, accountability, and doing the right thing.
| Idiom | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| A dirty deal (n) | A dishonest or unfair agreement. | He was was involved in a dirty deal, bribing government officials to secure a profitable contract. |
| To cut corners (v) | To do something cheaply or carelessly. | The computer company cut corners on quality control, resulting in low quality products being shipped to customers. |
| Pull a fast one (b) | To deceive or trick someone. | The construction company pulled a fast one on investors by exaggerating its profits. |
| A rip-off (n) | A dishonest or unfair deal. | Customers felt they had been ripped off when they discovered the hidden fees in the contract. |
| A snake oil salesman (n) | A person who sells worthless products or services. | My CEO was accused of being a snake oil salesman, promising unrealistic returns to investors. |
| A wolf in sheep’s clothing (n) | Someone who appears harmless but is actually dangerous or deceitful. | The salesman seemed friendly and approachable, but he was actually a wolf in sheep’s clothing, exploiting his customers. |
| A conflict of interests (n) | A situation where someone’s personal interests could influence their professional judgment. | The head of marketing had a conflict of interests, as he owned shares in a competing company. |
| Pull the wool over someone’s eyes (v) | To deceive or trick someone. | The trading company pulled the wool over investors’ eyes by hiding its financial troubles. |
| Bait and switch (n) | A cheating marketing tactic where a customer is offered a low price but then pressured to buy a more expensive product. | The jewellery company used a bait and switch tactic to lure customers into their stores. |
| A backroom deal (n) | A secret or dishonest agreement. | The two companies made a backroom deal to divide the market between them. |
| Under the table (adj) | Secretly or illegally. | The company paid government employees under the table to secure government contracts. |
| Above board (adj) | Honest and legal. | The accounting company’s financial dealings were always above board avoiding any legal issues. |
| Fair and square (adj) | Honest, just, and impartial. | Our company tries to treat all employees fairly and squarely. |
| A man of his word (n) | Someone who is reliable and keeps their promises. | Mr Hughes is man of his word; he always follows through on his commitments. |
| A moral compass (n) | Knowing what is right and wrong. | Having a moral compass is important for keeping your company operating the right way. |
| A straight shooter (n) | A person who is honest and direct. | My business partner is a straight shooter, always telling it like it is. |
| On the level (adj) | Honest and truthful. | Honest companies are always on the level with their customers and employees. |
| Honesty is the best policy (saying) | A saying that emphasises the importance of honesty. | I believe that honesty is the best policy, even in difficult situations. |
| By the book (adj) | Following rules and regulations strictly. | We always conducts our business by the book, ensuring compliance with all laws and regulations. |
| An open book (adj) | Someone who is completely honest and transparent. | Because we are a PLC, our company’s financial records are an open book, available for public inspection. |
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