Collection of IDIOMS on business topics

Collection of IDIOMS on business topics

Idioms are sentences/phrases used by native speakers in daily communication. If you want to communicate naturally or you are in need of IELTS preparation, you definitely cannot ignore them.

Using Idioms properly will help you score high in the IELTS Writing and IELTS Speaking exams!

EnglishTop will classify Idioms according to different topics. And this time it will be Business themed Idioms (Business)

Collection of IDIOMS on business topics

1. A foot in the door

Start having success at a new organization, company, or business

  • I have worked for this computer company for 15 years but it took me 2 years to get a foot in the door.

2. Cash cow

A product that always brings great profits to the company

  • This product will be our company's cash cow.

3. Too many chiefs, not enough Indians

There are many teachers and few workers

  • There are too many chiefs and not enough Indians in this enterprise.

4. Eager beaver

Hard-working person, passionate about work.

  • John is an eager beaver. He will get on well with the new job.

Collection of IDIOMS on business topics

5. A slice of the pie

Shared profits

  • The company made a big profits and the workers want a slice of the pie.

6. Go belly up

Completely fail

  • Last year the business went belly up after sales continued to fall.

7. Golden handshake

Severance pay, retirement bonus

  • When Tom left the company he was given a golden handshake.

8. Grease someone's palm

Bribe

  • There are rumours that the company had to grease someone’s palms to get that contract.

Collection of IDIOMS on business topics

9. Hold the fort

Take responsibility, keep an eye on work or the office when others are not present.

  • My boss will be on vacation next week and I’ll have to hold the fort.

10. Keep head above water

Facing difficult situations while having financial problems

  • I’m not sure if John can keep his head above water in such bad situation.

11. Red tape

Rules, regulations, and procedures are unnecessarily complicated.

  • If you want to start a business, you will have to go through endless red tape.

12. Sell ice to Eskimos

Persuading others to choose something they don't like or need.

  • John is a great salesman. He can sell ice to Eskimos.

13. A sleeping partner

Shareholders (only invest, not directly run the company)

  • Tom is so happy ‘cause he’s just found a sleeping partner.

Collection of IDIOMS on business topics

14. Walking paper

Letter of resignation

  • Alice is very upset. She was given a walking paper yesterday without prior notice.

15. A dead duck

The plan/event is definitely not successful

  • We shouldn’t waste time on this plan. It’s certainly a dead duck.

Above are the Business themed Idioms. Let's EnglishTop Continue to explore idioms on other topics. Wish you all the best in your studies.