Business-work idioms

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ace up your sleeve

If you have an ace up your sleeve, you have something in reserve with which you can gain an advantage.
Our new product is an ace up our sleeve.



hold all the aces
A person who holds all the aces is in a very strong position because they have more advantages than anyone else.
Given the high unemployment rates today, employers hold all the aces.



ambulance chaser
A lawyer who finds work by persuading people injured in accidents to claim money from the person who caused the accident is called an 'ambulance chaser'.
Peterson and Scott are well-known ambulance chasers - that's how they make their money!



back to the salt mines
Saying that you have to go back to the sale mines is a humorous way of talking about returning to work, usually with some reluctance.
We get two days off at Christmas and then it's back to the salt mines!


bait and switch
This term refers to a deceptive commercial practice of advertising
a low-priced item to attract customers, then telling them that the product is out of stock and persuading them to buy a more expensive article.
This store is famous for its bait and switch tactics.


in the black
To say that a person or organization is in the black means that they are financially sound, have a positive balance on their account and that they owe no money.


black market
The black market refers to the illegal buying and selling of goods or currencies.
Be careful of what you buy on the black market - it's not always good quality.


blamestorming
A discussion among a group of people who try to determine who
or what is to blame for a particular mistake, failure or wrongdoing, is called 'blamestorming'.
A blamestorming session took place following the unfavourable reviews in the press.


blank cheque
If you give someone a blank cheque, you authorize them to do what they think is best in a difficult situation.
Tom was given a blank cheque and told to negotiate the best deal possible.


blue chip company
This term refers to a company with a solid reputation for the quality of its products and the stability of its growth and earnings.
It's usually safe to invest in a blue chip company.


above board
If a situation or business is described as above board, it is open, honest and legal.
There are not secret negotiations. Our dealings have always been above board.


get down to brass tacks
When people get down to brass tacks, they start to discuss the essential aspects of a problem or situation.
The situation was so serious that after a few polite exchanges they quickly got down to brass tacks.


break your back
If you work extremely hard, or put a lot of effort into achieving something, you break your back to do it.
If you want the job done well, you should accept to pay more. He's not going to break his back for such a low price!


bricks and mortar / bricks and clicks
An established trading company (office/shop) is referred to as a 'brick-and-mortar' business.
'Click companies' refer to internet-based operations.
Companies which do both are called 'bricks and clicks'.
Click businesses are usually more flexible than brick-and-mortar operations.

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leave somebody holding the baby.
If someone is left holding the baby, they are made responsible for a problem that others don't want to deal with.
When the angry customer started to complain, my colleague disappeared and left me holding the baby.


back-room boys
This term refers to people who do important work but have no contact with the public.
Back-room boys don't always receive the credit they deserve for their work.


back-of-the-envelope calculation
This expression refers to a quick approximate calculation done informally, as on the back of an envelope.
I don't need the exact amount. Just give me a back-of-the-envelope calculation.


back of beyond
An isolated place located far from any town is said to be in the
back of beyond.
It took us hours to find Jack's house. He lives in the back of beyond.


(like the) back of one's hand
If you know something like the back of your hand, you are very familiar with it and know it in detail.
Of course I won't get lost. I know London like the back of my hand!


back into shape
To get yourself back into shape, you need to take some exercise in order to become fit and healthy again.
Eva decided she'd have to get back into shape before looking for a job.


back on your feet
If you are back on your feet, after an illness or an accident, you are physically healthy again.
My grandmother had a bad 'flu but she's back on her feet again.


back to the salt mines
Saying that you have to go back to the salt mines is a humorous way of talking about returning to work, usually with some reluctance.
We get two days off at Christmas and then it's back to the salt mines!


back to square one
To say that someone is back to square one means that they have not succeeded in what they were trying to do, so they have to start again.
When the plans were refused, it was 'back to square one' for the architect.


back to the wall
If you have your back to the wall, you are in serious difficulty.
With his back to the wall, the supplier had to accept the deal.


back the wrong horse
If you back or bet on the wrong horse, for example the loser in a contest, match or election, you support the wrong person.
When I voted for him I was convinced he would win, but I backed the wrong horse!


backhanded compliment
A remark that appears to express admiration but could also be interpreted as an insult is called a backhanded compliment.
He said my presentation was "surprisingly clear". How's that for a backhanded compliment!


backseat driver
A passenger in a car who gives unwanted advice to the driver is called a backseat driver.
I can't stand backseat drivers like my mother-in-law!


bad egg
Someone who is a bad egg is an untrustworthy person often involved in trouble whose company should be avoided.
I don't want my son to be friends with Bobby Smith. Bobby's a bad egg.


bad hair day
Originating as a humorous comment about one's hair being unmanageable, this term had broadened to mean 'a day when everything seems to go wrong'.
What's wrong with Jenny? Is she having a bad hair day?


(in) bad shape
A person who is in bad shape is in poor physical condition.
I really am in bad shape. I must do more exercise.

[O M I D]

badger someone
If you badger someone into doing something, you persistently nag or pester them until you obtain what you want.
Sophie badgered her parents into buying her a new computer.


bag of bones
To say that someone is a bag of bones means that they are extremely thin.
When he came home from the war he was a bag of bones.


bag of tricks
If you use your (whole) bag of tricks to do something, you try (all) the clever methods you know in order to succeed.
Let's call on George and his bag of tricks; maybe he can help us solve the problem.


in the bag
People use this expression when it becomes obvious that success or victory is going to be achieved.
An hour before the polling stations closed, victory seemed in the bag for the Conservative candidate.


bait and switch
This term refers to a deceptive commercial practice of advertising
a low-priced item to attract customers, then telling them that the product is out of stock and persuading them to buy a more expensive article.
This store is famous for its bait and switch tactics.


in the balance
If something is in the balance, the situation is uncertain and it is not clear what is going to happen.
The future of the company is in the balance while the takeover bid is being examined.


balancing act
When you try to satisfy two or more people or groups who have different needs, and keep everyone happy, you perform a balancing act.
Many people, especially women, have to perform a balancing act between work and family.


ball and chain
This term refers to a burden or problem that ties you down and prevents you from doing what you want. It can also refer to one's spouse.
Our holiday home has become a ball and chain - it's too much work!


ball is in your court
If the ball is in your court, it is your turn to speak or act next.
We gave the manager a list of complaints, so the ball is in his court now.


have a ball
If you have a ball you enjoy yourself immensely.
The party was great. We had a ball.


on the ball
If you are on the ball, you are aware of what is happening and are able to deal with things quickly and intelligently.
We need someone who is really on the ball to head the fund-raising campaign.


start the ball rolling
If you start the ball rolling, you begin an activity in which other people will join.
Let's start the ball rolling by calling on our first speaker.


that's the way the ball bounces
Things don't always work out as planned, and there's nothing we can do about it - that's life.
He didn't get the prize he expected, but never mind - that's the way the ball bounces.


whole new ball game
To refer to something as a whole new ball game means that it is a completely different situation due to a new set of circumstances.
Email and text messaging have made communication a whole new ball game.