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Supply Chain Idioms Explained

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Teacher Rob

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⛓️‍💥 20 Supply Chain Idioms Explained

Hey there! 👋

Have you ever been in a logistics meeting and heard phrases like “a bottleneck in the process” or “end-to-end visibility” and thought, “What does that really mean?”

You’re definitely not alone. 😃

That’s exactly why I’ve created this hub page for Supply Chain Idioms Explained.

It brings together the expressions my students ask about the most.

Each idiom includes:

  • a clear explanation
  • a realistic workplace example
  • a quiz to help your learning experience
  • a link to a full idiom page

These supply chain idioms are used all the time when people talk about:

  • sourcing
  • production
  • logistics
  • delays
  • delivery performance

Once you understand them, conversations about operations and planning become much clearer.

You’ll be able to discuss supply chains more confidently.

You can use this page as:

  • a reference
  • a place to explore the idioms below
  • something to return to whenever you want
  • a place to build confidence in supply chain discussions

Enjoy the lesson, and I hope to see you soon!

Teacher Rob 🙋‍♂️

📋 Planning and Preparation

1. 👉 Get the Nod (v)

Meaning: Receive approval.
Example: We got the nod to start production.

2. 👉 Put the Cart Before the Horse (V)

Meaning: Do things in the wrong order.
Example: Ordering materials first would put the cart before the horse.

3. 👉 Iron Out the Wrinkles (v)

Meaning: Fix small problems.
Example: Let’s iron out the wrinkles before shipping.

4. 👉 Tie Up Loose Ends (v)

Meaning: Finish final details.
Example: We need to tie up loose ends before launch.

5. 👉 In the Works (adj)

Meaning: Being planned or prepared.
Example: The new supplier contract is in the works.

✅ Quick Quiz

1. If a team “gets the nod”, they:



2. What does it mean to “put the cart before the horse”?



3. If a company needs to “iron out the wrinkles”, it wants to:



4. To “tie up loose ends” means to:



5. If something is “in the works”, it is:





⏩ Starting and Moving Forward

6. 👉 All Systems Go (adj)

Meaning: Ready to start.
Example: The warehouse is ready. It’s all systems go.

7. 👉 Get the Ball Rolling (v)

Meaning: Start a process.
Example: Let’s get the ball rolling on delivery planning.

8. 👉 Put the Wheels in Motion (v)

Meaning: Begin taking action.
Example: Approval helped put the wheels in motion.

9. 👉 Full Steam Ahead (adv)

Meaning: Move forward with full effort.
Example: With funding secured, it’s full steam ahead.

10. 👉 On Track (adj)

Meaning: Going as planned.
Example: Orders are on track this month.

✅ Quick Quiz

1. If a project is “all systems go”, it is:



2. To “get the ball rolling” means to:



3. If approval helps “put the wheels in motion”, it helps to:



4. When a team moves “full steam ahead”, they are:



5. If orders are “on track”, they are:





🐌 Progress and Delays

11. 👉 In the Pipeline (adj)

Meaning: Being worked on.
Example: New shipments are in the pipeline.

12. 👉 Get a Bite (v)

Meaning: Start to see success.
Example: Our new supplier strategy is getting a bite.

13. 👉 Hit a Snag (v)

Meaning: Face a problem.
Example: We hit a snag with customs delays.

14. 👉 Hit a Brick Wall (v)

Meaning: Be unable to move forward.
Example: We hit a brick wall with new regulations.

15. 👉 Fall Through the Cracks (v)

Meaning: Be missed or forgotten.
Example: Some orders fell through the cracks.

✅ Quick Quiz

1. If something is “in the pipeline”, it is:



2. When a strategy is starting to “get a bite”, it is:



3. If a team “hits a snag”, they:



4. When progress “hits a brick wall”, it means:



5. If tasks “fall through the cracks”, they are:





☑️ Results and Outcomes

16. 👉 Hit the Mark (v)

Meaning: Meet expectations.
Example: The delivery schedule hit the mark.

17. 👉 Hit a Bullseye (v)

Meaning: Be exactly right.
Example: The new route plan hit a bullseye.

18. 👉 Cross the Finish Line (v)

Meaning: Complete something.
Example: We crossed the finish line on the project.

19. 👉 Arrive Safe and Sound (V)

Meaning: Arrive without problems.
Example: The shipment arrived safe and sound.

20. 👉 Go Belly Up (v)

Meaning: Fail or shut down.
Example: The supplier went belly up last year.

✅ Quick Quiz

1. If a plan “hits the mark”, it:



2. When an idea “hits a bullseye”, it is:



3. If a team “crosses the finish line”, they:



4. When goods arrive “safe and sound”, they:



5. If a company “goes belly up”, it:





Did you get 100%?

There you go – a practical collection of Supply Chain Idioms you can start recognising and using right away.

You’ll soon notice these idioms in conversations about:

  • procurement
  • production
  • other logistic areas

You’ll understand exactly what they mean and how to use them naturally.

Which one stood out to you the most?

My personal favourite is “All systems go” because it describes when everything is ready.

Let me know your favourite in the comments below.

I always enjoy hearing from you.

Want to keep learning?

Explore my other idiom pages covering:

👉 Visit my A–Z idiom category page to see more.

Happy learning,

Teacher Rob 🙋‍♂️

Need help learning the idioms?

Check out my 👉 Best Way to Learn Idioms Quickly page.

ℹ️ Other Useful Pages

📚 Learning Resources
👉 Business English Idioms List

👥 Support Spaces
👉 Student Space
👉 Tutor Toolkit

⭐️ Extras
📫 Get a Daily Idiom

We hope you enjoyed our Supply Chain Idioms & Logistics Idioms.

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