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Tag: Business Meeting Idioms

  • Cover All Bases

    🗓️ Idiom: Cover All Bases (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To prepare for all possible situations or problems.
    • To make sure nothing is missed in a plan or action.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • The risk team worked hard to cover all bases before launching the new product.
    • We need to cover all bases to avoid any legal issues.
    • They covered all bases in the project plan to keep everything under control.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from the sport of baseball. A team must have players ready to protect all four bases to avoid losing. In business, it means being fully prepared for any situation, like covering all positions on the field.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    The manager double-checked the report to __________ before the meeting.

    Answer

    cover all bases

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “cover all bases”:

    A) To leave things unfinished
    B) To prepare for everything
    C) To focus only on one detail

    Answer

    B) To prepare for everything

    3. Rewrite the sentence using “Cover all bases”.:

    “They made sure everything was ready and nothing was forgotten.”

    Answer

    They made sure they covered all bases.

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  • Hash Things Out

    🗓️ Idiom: Hash Things Out (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To discuss something in detail, especially to solve a problem.
    • To work through issues by talking about them openly.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • The team stayed late to hash out the final details of the presentation.
    • We need to hash things out before we send the proposal.
    • They hashed out their differences during the meeting and reached an agreement.

    🏛️ Origin

    The word “hash” originally meant to chop food into small pieces. Over time, it came to mean breaking down problems into smaller parts during conversation. “To hash things out” became common in the 1900s as a way to describe detailed discussions or problem-solving talks.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    We need to sit down and __________ before the deadline.

    Answer

    hash things out

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “hash things out”:

    A) To avoid a difficult topic
    B) To discuss something in detail
    C) To make a quick decision

    Answer

    B) To discuss something in detail

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “They discussed their concerns and came to a decision.” → Change the sentence using: hash things out

    Answer

    They hashed things out and came to a decision.

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  • Bounce Ideas off Each Other

    🗓️ Idiom: Bounce Ideas off Each Other (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To share ideas with someone and get their opinion.
    • To talk together to develop better ideas or solutions.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • Let’s bounce ideas off each other before the meeting.
    • We spent the afternoon bouncing ideas off each other and came up with a great plan.
    • It helps to bounce ideas off your team when you feel stuck.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from the image of a ball bouncing back. When you share an idea with someone and they respond, it is like the idea is bouncing back to you. It suggests a fast and creative exchange of thoughts.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    Before we decide, let’s __________ to see what everyone thinks.

    Answer

    bounce ideas off each other

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “bounce ideas off each other”:

    A) To argue about opinions
    B) To ignore other people’s suggestions
    C) To share ideas and get feedback

    Answer

    C) To share ideas and get feedback

    3. Rewrite the sentence using the idiom:

    “We talked together and shared suggestions about the project.” → Change the sentence using: bounce ideas off each other

    Answer

    We bounced ideas off each other about the project.

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  • Put Heads Together

    🗓️ Idiom: Put Our Heads Together (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To work together to solve a problem.
    • To share ideas and think as a team.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • Let’s put our heads together and find a way to fix this issue.
    • The managers put their heads together to plan the next steps.
    • We can solve this faster if we put our heads together.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from the image of people leaning their heads close when they talk and think together. It has been used since the 19th century to mean teamwork and joint problem-solving.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    If we __________, we might come up with a better strategy.

    Answer

    put our heads together

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “put our heads together”:

    A) To avoid a problem
    B) To argue with others
    C) To think and plan together

    Answer

    C) To think and plan together

    3. Rewrite the sentence using “put our heads together”:

    “Let’s work together and share ideas to find a solution.”

    Answer

    Let’s put our heads together to find a solution.

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  • Think Outside The Box

    🗓️ Idiom: Think Outside the Box (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To think in a creative or new way.
    • To solve a problem using fresh or unusual ideas.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • We need to think outside the box to make this product stand out.
    • She’s great at thinking outside the box when things don’t go as planned.
    • The manager asked the team to think outside the box during the brainstorming session.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from creative thinking exercises where people are asked to solve a puzzle by drawing lines outside of a set of boxes. It became popular in business to encourage innovation and new ways of thinking.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    To solve this problem, we’ll need to __________.

    Answer

    think outside the box

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “think outside the box”:

    A) Use a standard process
    B) Follow the rules carefully
    C) Be creative and try something new

    Answer

    C) Be creative and try something new

    3. Rewrite the sentence using “Think Outside The Box”:

    “She always finds new and creative ways to solve problems.”

    Answer

    She always thinks outside the box.

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  • Get The Show on The Road

    Get The Show on The Road

    🗓️ Idiom: Get the Show on the Road (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To begin an activity after preparing for it.
    • To start something officially or finally move forward.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • We’ve done all the planning—let’s get the show on the road!
    • The manager asked if we were ready to get the show on the road.
    • After weeks of delay, it’s time to get the show on the road.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom originally referred to travelling performers who needed to pack up and move to a new town to perform. Today, it means starting a project or event after everything is prepared.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    We’ve planned everything carefully—now let’s __________.

    Answer

    get the show on the road

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “get the show on the road”:

    A) To delay a decision
    B) To begin something after preparing
    C) To cancel a meeting

    Answer

    B) To begin something after preparing

    3. Rewrite the sentence using “get the show on the road”

    “We are ready to begin the project now.”

    Answer

    We’re ready to get the show on the road.

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  • Kick Things Off

    🗓️ Idiom: Kick Things Off (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To begin a meeting, event, or process.
    • To start something officially or with energy.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • Let’s kick things off with a quick review of last week’s meeting.
    • The manager kicked things off by welcoming the new team members.
    • They kicked off the project with a team lunch and planning session.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from sports, especially football (soccer or American football), where the game starts with a “kick-off.” In business, it now means to begin any activity or event.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    Let’s __________ with the sales results from last quarter.

    Answer

    kick things off

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “kick things off”:

    A) To stop something
    B) To delay a decision
    C) To start an activity or meeting

    Answer

    C) To start an activity or meeting

    3. Rewrite the sentence using “kick things off”:

    “We began the meeting with a short presentation.”

    Answer

    We kicked things off with a short presentation.

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  • Set the Stage

    🗓️ Idiom: Set the Stage (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • To prepare everything needed for something to happen.
    • To create the right conditions for success or the next step.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • The opening speech set the stage for a productive meeting.
    • The report set the stage for the final decision.
    • She set the stage for the meeting by making sure all the equipment was ready.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from the theatre. Before a play begins, the crew “sets the stage” by arranging lights, props, and scenery. In business, it means getting everything ready before the main event or action begins.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    The introduction helped __________ for a productive discussion.

    Answer

    set the stage

    2. Choose the correct meaning of “set the stage”:

    A) To cancel a meeting
    B) To prepare for something to happen
    C) To avoid making a decision

    Answer

    B) To prepare for something to happen

    3. Rewrite the sentence using “set the stage”:

    “The opening slides created the right mood for the strategy session.”

    Answer

    The opening slides set the stage for the strategy session.

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  • Business Meeting Idioms

    Expressing yourself with business meeting idioms during a meeting is a great way to show off your grasp of English. They also make a point in a way that text book English can’t. Here is our list of 20 Idioms for business meetings.

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    1) Business Meeting Idioms

    Business Meeting Idioms

    IdiomDefinitionExample Sentence
    Set the stageTo get ready for something to happen. He set the stage for the presentation.
    Kick things offTo begin or start something.“I’ll kick things off by providing a summary of our agenda for today’s meeting.”
    Get the show on the roadTo start or begin a task or activity.“Now that everyone’s here, let’s get the show on the road and dive into our discussion.”
    Get down to businessTo focus on the main topic or purpose of a meeting.“Let’s finish the small talk and get down to business, shall we?”
    Get down to brass tacksTo focus on the most important or essential aspects of a topic.“Let’s get down to brass tacks and discuss the budget details.”
    Think outside the boxTo consider unconventional or creative ideas.“We need to think outside the box to come up with new solutions to our current challenges.”
    Put heads togetherTo collaborate or work together on a task or problem.“Let’s put our heads together and brainstorm some ideas for improving customer satisfaction.”
    Bounce ideas off each otherTo share ideas or suggestions with others for feedback or discussion.“Feel free to bounce ideas off each other—we’re here to collaborate and find the best solution.”
    Hash things outTo discuss and resolve issues or differences of opinion.“We need to hash things out and reach an agreement on the project timeline.”
    Cover all basesTo think about or plan for all possible outcomes.“Before finalising the proposal, let’s make sure we cover all bases to avoid any oversights.”
    Stay on trackTo remain focused on the intended goal or objective.“Let’s stay on track and not go off-topic during the presentation.”
    Dot the i’s and cross the t’sTo pay attention to the smallest details; to ensure thoroughness.“Before submitting the report, let’s make sure we dot the i’s and cross the t’s to avoid any errors.”
    Iron out the detailsTo discuss and solve small details. “We’ll need to iron out the details of the contract before finalizing the agreement.”
    Touch uponTo briefly mention or discuss a topic.“During the meeting, we’ll touch upon the upcoming changes to the project timeline.”
    Back to the drawing boardTo return to the beginning because a plan or idea has failed.“Our initial marketing strategy didn’t yield the expected results, so it’s back to the drawing board.”
    Circle backTo return to a previous point or topic for further discussion or consideration.“We’ll circle back to the budget discussion after addressing the immediate project concerns.”
    Get on board withTo agree to participate or support a plan or idea.“We need everyone to get on board with the new company policies for them to be effective.”
    Draw to a closeTo reach the end or conclusion of something.“As we draw to a close, I’d like to thank everyone for their contributions to today’s meeting.”
    Wind downTo gradually come to an end or relax after activity.“As the meeting winds down, we’ll take a moment to summarize our key takeaways.”
    Wrap things up
    		To conclude or finish something.“Before we wrap things up, does anyone have any final comments or questions?”
    Stay in syncTo maintain harmony or alignment with others.“It’s important for all team members to stay in sync to ensure project success.”
    Business Meeting Idioms

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