Hey there! If you’ve ever felt a bit lost when colleagues start throwing around phrases like “let’s circle back” or “the ball’s in your court”, you’re not alone. These little idioms pop up in every meeting and email – and once you know them, you suddenly sound so much more natural and confident.
That’s why I’ve put together this list of 20 super-common workplace idioms that my students always ask for. Each one comes with a clear meaning, a real-life example, and a quick quiz so you can test yourself straight away (answers are right there – no cheating needed 😉).
Go through them at your own pace, repeat the quizzes as many times as you like, and have fun with them!
Teacher Rob 😊
Learn Common Business Idioms
1–5: Daily Work and Tasks
- 👉 Break the Ice (V)
Meaning: Start a conversation in a friendly way.
Example: She told a joke to break the ice at the meeting. - 👉 Give It a Shot (V)
Meaning: Try something.
Example: I’ve never used this software before, but I’ll give it a shot. - 👉 On the Ball (Adj)
Meaning: Ready and quick to understand things.
Example: Our new assistant is really on the ball and catches mistakes quickly. - 👉 Pull Your Weight (V)
Meaning: Do your fair share of the work.
Example: Everyone in the team must pull their weight to meet the deadline. - 👉 Set the Bar High (V)
Meaning: Create high standards.
Example: The manager sets the bar high for all new projects.
Quick Practice Quiz (1–5)
1. What does “Break the Ice” mean?
A) Delay the meeting
B) Start a conversation in a friendly way
C) Talk about a problem
Answer
B) Start a conversation in a friendly way
2. What does “Give It a Shot” mean?
A) Try something
B) Refuse to help
C) Finish quickly
Answer
A) Try something
3. What does “On the Ball” mean?
A) Ready and quick to understand things
B) Doing a different task
C) Sleeping at work
Answer
A) Ready and quick to understand things
4. What does “Pull Your Weight” mean?
A) Work less than others
B) Do your fair share of the work
C) Take a break
Answer
B) Do your fair share of the work
5. What does “Set the Bar High” mean?
A) Create high standards
B) Lower expectations
C) Take it easy
Answer
A) Create high standards
6–10: Teamwork & Communication
- 👉 Circle Back (V)
Meaning: Return to a topic later.
Example: Let’s circle back to the budget discussion tomorrow. - 👉 Pass the Baton (V)
Meaning: Hand over responsibility to someone else.
Example: I’ll pass the baton to you once the first draft is done. - 👉 In the Same Boat (Adj)
Meaning: In the same situation.
Example: We’re all in the same boat trying to finish the project on time. - 👉 Speak Your Mind (V)
Meaning: Say what you really think.
Example: Don’t be afraid to speak your mind during the team meeting. - 👉 The Ball Is in Your Court (V)
Meaning: It is your turn to make a decision or take action.
Example: I’ve sent my suggestions. Now the ball is in your court.
Quick Practice Quiz (6–10)
6. What does “Circle Back” mean?
A) Finish the discussion
B) Return to a topic later
C) Cancel the meeting
Answer
B) Return to a topic later
7. What does “Pass the Baton” mean?
A) Hand over responsibility to someone else
B) Start a new project
C) Take a break
Answer
A) Hand over responsibility to someone else
8. What does “In the Same Boat” mean?
A) In the same situation
B) Working in the same room
C) Finished with the job
Answer
A) In the same situation
9. What does “Speak Your Mind” mean?
A) Say what you really think
B) Stay quiet
C) Ask a question
Answer
A) Say what you really think
10. What does “The Ball Is in Your Court” mean?
A) It is your turn to make a decision or take action
B) Someone else is responsible
C) Take a break
Answer
A) It is your turn to make a decision or take action
11–15: Planning & Decision-Making
- 👉 Back to Square One (V)
Meaning: Start again from the beginning.
Example: The client rejected the proposal, so we’re back to square one. - 👉 Go With the Flow (V)
Meaning: Relax and follow the situation.
Example: Let’s go with the flow and see what the team suggests. - 👉 On the Fence (Adj)
Meaning: Not able to decide.
Example: I’m on the fence about which software to choose. - 👉 Call the Shots (V)
Meaning: Be in control or make decisions.
Example: The manager calls the shots on this project. - 👉 Red Tape (N)
Meaning: Complicated rules and procedures.
Example: We spent weeks trying to get through all the red tape.
Quick Practice Quiz (11–15)
11. What does “Back to Square One” mean?
A) Start again from the beginning
B) Finish the project early
C) Skip steps
Answer
A) Start again from the beginning
12. What does “Go With the Flow” mean?
A) Relax and follow the situation
B) Take control of everything
C) Work faster
Answer
A) Relax and follow the situation
13. What does “On the Fence” mean?
A) Not able to decide
B) Very confident
C) Working fast
Answer
A) Not able to decide
14. What does “Call the Shots” mean?
A) Be in control or make decisions
B) Wait for instructions
C) Work silently
Answer
A) Be in control or make decisions
15. What does “Red Tape” mean?
A) Complicated rules and procedures
B) Helpful guidance
C) Short meetings
Answer
A) Complicated rules and procedures
16–20: Workplace Challenges
- 👉 Bite the Bullet (V)
Meaning: Do something difficult that cannot be avoided.
Example: I had to bite the bullet and give the presentation myself. - 👉 Hit a Snag (V)
Meaning: Face a small problem.
Example: We hit a snag with the website, but the developer fixed it quickly. - 👉 In the Long Run (Adv)
Meaning: Over a long period of time.
Example: In the long run, training your team properly saves time. - 👉 Learn the Ropes (V)
Meaning: To learn how to do a job.
Example: It takes a few weeks to learn the ropes at this company. - 👉 A Tall Order (N)
Meaning: A task that is difficult to do.
Example: Finishing the project in one day is a tall order.
Quick Practice Quiz (16–20)
16. What does “Bite the Bullet” mean?
A) Do something difficult that cannot be avoided
B) Take a long break
C) Ask for help
Answer
A) Do something difficult that cannot be avoided
17. What does “Hit a Snag” mean?
A) Face a small problem
B) Get a promotion
C) Join a new team
Answer
A) Face a small problem
18. What does “In the Long Run” mean?
A) Over a long period of time
B) Immediately
C) Only today
Answer
A) Over a long period of time
19. What does “Learn the Ropes” mean?
A) To learn how to do a job
B) Quit a job
C) Check instructions
Answer
A) To learn how to do a job
20. What does “A Tall Order” mean?
A) A task that is difficult to do
B) An easy task
C) A short break
Answer
A) A task that is difficult to do
Conclusion
There you go – 20 everyday business idioms you can start using today! I promise you’ll hear at least a few of these in your next meeting or email – and now you’ll know exactly what they mean (and how to use them yourself).
Which one was your favourite? Mine’s still “bite the bullet” – it just feels so satisfying to say! Drop your favourite in the comments below, I really love hearing from you.
Ready for hundreds more?
👉 Check out the full A-Z Idioms List
Happy learning, Teacher Rob 🙋♂️
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