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Bite Sized Business English

Tag: Entrepreneur and Startups

  • Gain Traction

    🗓️ Idiom: Gain Traction (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • Start to make progress or become more accepted.
    • Begin to grow in popularity, support, or success.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • The startup’s idea finally gained traction after a popular influencer promoted it.
    • Their new product is slowly gaining traction in international markets.
    • The app didn’t gain traction at first, but it improved after customer feedback.

    🏛️ Origin

    The word “traction” originally refers to the grip a wheel or tire has on a surface. In business, it’s used metaphorically to describe a project or product beginning to “move forward” successfully — like a vehicle that finally gets moving after slipping.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    The campaign didn’t _______ until it was featured in a major news article.

    Answer

    gain traction

    2. Multiple choice:
    If a new idea is “gaining traction,” what is happening?
    a) It is failing
    b) It is becoming more successful or popular
    c) It is being delayed

    Answer

    b) It is becoming more successful or popular

    3. Change the sentence using “gain traction”:
    “Our startup started to get more attention and support after the launch.”

    Answer

    Our startup began to gain traction after the launch.

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  • Scale Up

    🗓️ Idiom: Scaling Up (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • Growing a business or project significantly.
    • Increasing operations, production, or resources to meet greater demand.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • After securing investment, the startup began scaling up its operations across Southeast Asia.
    • The compliance team had to be scaled up to meet new international standards.
    • Many entrepreneurs struggle when scaling up too quickly without proper systems in place.

    🏛️ Origin

    The phrase “scaling up” comes from the idea of increasing the scale or size of a business. In engineering and business, “scale” refers to proportions or size — so “scaling up” means to make something bigger and more capable of handling growth.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    The CEO announced they would be _______ the production team to meet the rise in demand.

    Answer

    scaling up

    2. Multiple choice:
    What does it mean to “scale up” a business?
    a) Sell the business completely
    b) Reduce operations to save costs
    c) Expand the business to a larger level

    Answer

    c) Expand the business to a larger level

    3. Change the sentence using “scaling up”:
    “They plan to grow the business significantly over the next year.”

    Answer

    They plan to scale up the business over the next year.

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  • Thrown in at the Deep End

    🗓️ Idiom: Thrown in at the Deep End (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • Given a difficult task or situation without preparation or training
    • Forced to start something challenging with little support

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • When I joined the startup, I was thrown in at the deep end with no training.
    • New employees are often thrown in at the deep end during a product launch.
    • She was thrown in at the deep end, managing the compliance audit in her first week.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from swimming. Being “thrown in at the deep end” refers to putting someone into the deep part of a swimming pool before they know how to swim. Over time, it came to describe any situation where a person starts something difficult without help or preparation.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:
    On his first day at the startup, Tom was __________ when he had to lead the investor meeting.

    Answer

    thrown in at the deep end

    2. Multiple choice:
    What does “thrown in at the deep end” mean?
    a) Given full training before a job
    b) Asked to take a break from work
    c) Put into a hard situation without support

    Answer

    c) Put into a hard situation without support

    3. Change the sentence using “thrown in at the deep end”:
    “They asked me to manage the compliance report even though I had never done it before.”

    Answer

    I was thrown in at the deep end when they asked me to manage the compliance report.

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  • Put Your Heart into Something

    🗓️ Idiom: Put Your Heart into Something (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • Give something your full energy, emotion, and effort.
    • Be deeply committed to a task or goal.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • She really put her heart into designing the first version of the app.
    • If you put your heart into your pitch, investors will notice your passion.
    • They put their hearts into the business, working long hours without giving up.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from the idea that the “heart” represents feelings and commitment. When someone puts their heart into something, they are emotionally and mentally invested, not just going through the motions.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    Entrepreneurs who __________ their startups often inspire others to believe in their vision.

    Answer

    put their heart into


    2. Choose the correct meaning of “put your heart into something”:

    A) Work with little emotion
    B) Make money quickly
    C) Give full effort and passion

    Answer

    C) Give full effort and passion


    3. Change the sentence using “put your heart into something”:
    “He worked on the project with deep care and effort.”

    Answer

    He put his heart into the project.

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  • Go the Extra Mile

    🗓️ Idiom: Go the Extra Mile (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • Do more than what is expected to achieve success.
    • Put in extra effort to reach a goal or help someone.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • Our startup gained loyal users because we always go the extra mile with customer service.
    • She went the extra mile to prepare for her pitch, even creating a demo video.
    • If we want to impress investors, we’ll need to go the extra mile in our presentation.

    🏛️ Origin

    This phrase comes from the Bible, where Roman law allowed soldiers to force someone to carry their gear for one mile. The teaching to “go the second mile” meant showing kindness by doing more than required. Today, it means making extra effort, especially in work or business.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    Startups that __________ often stand out in a crowded market.

    Answer

    go the extra mile


    2. Choose the correct meaning of “go the extra mile”:

    A) Travel far for business
    B) Do more than required
    C) Walk during meetings

    Answer

    B) Do more than required


    3. Change the sentence using “go the extra mile”:
    “He worked very hard to make sure the launch went perfectly.”

    Answer

    He went the extra mile to make sure the launch went perfectly.

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  • Roll up Your Sleeves

    🗓️ Idiom: Roll up Your Sleeves (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • Prepare to start hard work or face a difficult task.
    • Get ready to take action and deal with a challenge.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • The founder rolled up her sleeves to fix the app’s bugs before the next investor meeting.
    • When the startup hit a financial roadblock, the whole team rolled up their sleeves and worked late to create a new plan.
    • He rolled up his sleeves and started building the product from scratch.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from the physical action of literally rolling up shirt sleeves before starting manual work. Over time, it began to symbolize readiness to work hard or face a challenge, especially in business or personal efforts.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    It’s time to __________ and solve the problems with our launch strategy.

    Answer

    roll up our sleeves


    2. Choose the correct meaning of “roll up your sleeves”:

    A) Relax after finishing a task
    B) Avoid difficult responsibilities
    C) Prepare to do hard work

    Answer

    C) Prepare to do hard work


    3. Change the sentence using “roll up your sleeves”:
    “The co-founders got ready to tackle the funding issues with serious effort.”

    Answer

    The co-founders rolled up their sleeves to tackle the funding issues.

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  • Jump on the Bandwagon

    🗓️ Idiom: Jump on the bandwagon (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • Join others in doing something that is popular or successful.
    • Start supporting a trend, idea, or movement because many others are doing it.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • After seeing the success of eco-friendly products, many startups jumped on the bandwagon and launched their own green brands.
    • Investors jumped on the bandwagon when the new fintech app went viral.
    • She wasn’t originally interested in co-working spaces, but she jumped on the bandwagon once she saw everyone else doing it.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from 19th-century American politics. Bands would perform on wagons during parades, and politicians would jump on these wagons to gain attention and popularity. The phrase now means joining something just because it’s fashionable or trending.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    After the new productivity tool gained popularity, dozens of startups __________.

    Answer

    jumped on the bandwagon


    2. Choose the correct meaning of “jump on the bandwagon”:

    A) Start a new trend
    B) Join something because it’s popular
    C) Avoid following the crowd

    Answer

    B) Join something because it’s popular


    3. Change the sentence using “jump on the bandwagon”:
    “Many entrepreneurs began copying the new business model when they saw it become successful.”

    Answer

    Many entrepreneurs jumped on the bandwagon when they saw the new business model become successful.

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  • Jump in With Both Feet

    🗓️ Idiom: Jump in With Both Feet (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • Get involved in a new activity or situation quickly and with full commitment.
    • Start something with enthusiasm, without holding back.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • When Anya got her business idea approved, she jumped in with both feet and started working day and night.
    • Many entrepreneurs jump in with both feet without fully understanding the risks.
    • He didn’t hesitate—he jumped in with both feet to launch his own design agency.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from the idea of literally jumping into something (like a swimming pool) with both feet, showing full effort and no hesitation. In business or life, it means getting fully involved without being cautious or slow.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    When launching her first startup, she __________ and learned everything on the job.

    Answer

    jumped in with both feet


    2. Choose the correct meaning of “jump in with both feet”:

    A) Avoid getting involved in something
    B) Start something slowly and carefully
    C) Begin something quickly and with full effort

    Answer

    C) Begin something quickly and with full effort


    3. Change the sentence using “jump in with both feet”:
    “He fully committed to starting his own company from day one.”

    Answer

    He jumped in with both feet to start his own company.

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  • Dive Headfirst into Something

    🗓️ Idiom: Dive Headfirst into Something (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • Start something with a lot of energy and enthusiasm, without hesitation.
    • Get fully involved in a new or risky activity very quickly.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • When Maya got her startup funding, she dived headfirst into developing her new app.
    • Many new entrepreneurs dive headfirst into business without understanding the risks.
    • After quitting his job, he dived headfirst into building his online store from scratch.

    🏛️ Origin

    The idiom comes from swimming or diving. When you dive headfirst into water, you jump in completely and quickly. This idea is used for situations where someone fully commits to something new or challenging.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    Some founders __________ into their ventures without proper market research.

    Answer

    dive headfirst


    2. Choose the correct meaning of “dive headfirst into something”:

    A) Start slowly and carefully
    B) Begin with strong energy and full commitment
    C) Wait until others have tried it

    Answer

    B) Begin with strong energy and full commitment


    3. Change the sentence using “dive headfirst into something”:
    “She got very involved in her business idea as soon as she finished university.”

    Answer

    She dived headfirst into her business idea after finishing university.

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  • Take the Plunge

    🗓️ Idiom: Take the plunge (v)

    💬 Meaning

    • Start doing something important or risky, especially after thinking about it for a while.
    • Start something new, especially something risky.

    🧠 Example Sentences

    • After months of planning, Liam finally took the plunge and launched his tech startup.
    • Many entrepreneurs hesitate at first, but eventually take the plunge and become their own boss.
    • She took the plunge and applied for a business loan to expand her product line.

    🏛️ Origin

    This idiom comes from diving. “Taking the plunge” means jumping into water, which can feel scary at first. Over time, it came to describe any bold or risky decision, especially one that leads to a big change.

    📝 Practice Exercises

    1. Fill in the blank:

    After years in a stable job, he decided to __________ and open his own design agency.

    Answer

    take the plunge


    2. Choose the correct meaning of “take the plunge”:

    A) Avoid making a decision
    B) Carefully research a new idea
    C) Finally do something risky or important

    Answer

    C) Finally do something risky or important


    3. Change the sentence using “take the plunge”:
    “He finally made the big decision to leave his job and become a full-time entrepreneur.”

    Answer

    He finally took the plunge and became a full-time entrepreneur.

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