Strong relationships and effective networking are key to success in business. Whether building trust with colleagues or creating new professional connections, language plays an important role. In this post, we’ll explore useful relationship and networking idioms that capture the spirit of collaboration, trust, and making valuable contacts.
| Idiom | Definition | Example Sentence |
|---|---|---|
| Put yourself out there | To make an effort to meet new people or to promote oneself in social or professional settings. | “If you want to advance in your career, you have to put yourself out there and network with industry professionals.” |
| Get your name out there | To make oneself known or to promote one’s presence, skills, or business in a particular industry or community. | “As a freelancer, it’s essential to get your name out there by showcasing your portfolio and networking at industry events.” |
| Reach out | To initiate contact or communication with someone, often with the intention of starting or maintaining a relationship. | “I reached out to several potential clients to discuss collaboration opportunities for our upcoming project.” |
| Get a foot in the door | To establish an initial connection or opportunity that may lead to further opportunities or relationships in the future. | “Getting a foot in the door with that prestigious company could open up many career opportunities for me.” |
| Break the ice | To initiate or facilitate social interaction or conversation, especially in a new or awkward situation, to make others feel more comfortable. | “At networking events, breaking the ice with a friendly greeting can lead to meaningful connections and conversations.” |
| Plant the seed | To initiate or introduce an idea, concept, or suggestion, often with the hope that it will develop or grow over time. | “During the meeting, she subtly planted the seed for a potential partnership with the client.” |
| Build bridges | To establish or improve relationships, connections, or understanding between people or groups, especially in a professional context. | “As a manager, it’s crucial to build bridges between departments to promote collaboration and teamwork.” |
| Work the room | To socialize or network actively with multiple people at a gathering or event, typically by moving around and engaging with different individuals. | “She spent the evening working the room, introducing herself to potential clients and making valuable connections.” |
| Schmooze | To engage in friendly and persuasive conversation, often with the aim of gaining an advantage or building relationships in business or social settings. | “He spent the evening schmoozing with industry leaders at the conference, hoping to secure new business opportunities.” |
| Press the flesh | To engage in face-to-face interaction or physical contact with others, especially to establish connections or rapport, often in a business context. | “At the networking event, he made sure to press the flesh with influential stakeholders and industry professionals.” |
| Rub elbows with | To associate or socialize closely with influential or important people, especially in a professional or business context. | “To advance his career, he made a conscious effort to rub elbows with key decision-makers in the industry.” |
| Dip your toe in the water | To cautiously or tentatively begin to engage in an activity or situation, especially when trying something new or unfamiliar. | “Before fully committing to the partnership, they decided to dip their toe in the water with a small pilot project.” |
| Patch things up | To reconcile or resolve conflicts or disagreements in a relationship, often by repairing trust or communication breakdowns. | “After the disagreement, they met to patch things up and ensure that their business partnership remained strong.” |
| Extend an olive branch | To offer a gesture of peace, reconciliation, or goodwill to someone with whom one has had a conflict or disagreement. | “In an effort to resolve the dispute, he extended an olive branch to his colleague and proposed a compromise.” |
| Bury the hatchet | To make peace or resolve conflicts with someone by letting go of past grievances or hostilities. | “After years of rivalry, they decided to bury the hatchet and focus on building a positive working relationship.” |
| Turn over a new leaf | To make a fresh start or begin anew, often by leaving behind past mistakes or behaviors and adopting a new attitude or approach. | “After the restructuring, the company aimed to turn over a new leaf and focus on innovation and growth.” |
| Weather the storm | To endure or survive difficult or challenging circumstances, such as conflicts, setbacks, or crises, without being significantly harmed. | “Despite facing economic downturns, the company managed to weather the storm and emerge stronger than before.” |
| In it for the long haul | Committed to or prepared for a long-term endeavor, relationship, or investment, rather than seeking short-term gains. | “As a startup founder, she knew she was in it for the long haul and was willing to overcome any obstacles along the way.” |
| Burn your bridges | To damage or destroy relationships, connections, or opportunities, often irreparably, by behaving in a way that is harmful, disrespectful, or unprofessional. | “By quitting without notice, he effectively burned his bridges with his colleagues and jeopardised future job prospects.” |
| Throw in the towel | To give up or surrender in the face of adversity or difficulty, often after making |
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We hope you enjoyed our Relationship & Networking Idioms.
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