Hi Students,
Here are some examples of idioms and expressions that you will sometimes hear when people are discussing a difficult decision.
Back and forth on this issue – changing one’s mind about an issue, unable to decide
Example: We are trying to decide if we should move our factory to China. We’ve been back and forth on this issue for six months!
- Of two minds – conflicted, having two different ideas about an issue
Example: I need to buy a car, but I’m of two minds about it. Should I buy a new Lexus for more money, or a used Lexus that won’t last as long?
- Test the waters – to try something out before making a commitment to it
Example: HEB is going to start making its own beer in the store. We are going to test the waters in three of our stores to see if this product is popular.
Test the Waters
4. The best of both worlds– a situation that offers two different advantages at the same time
Example: If our head office moves to New York City from London, we will have the best of both worlds. We will have the same office hours and will be able to travel there and back in one day!
- Weigh the pros and cons– to think about the advantages and disadvantages of a situation
Weighing the pros and cons
Example: American Airlines is thinking about changing its health plan. We are weighing the pros and cons and making a list of the advantages and disadvantages.
- Keep our options open – when you wait to make a decision until you know all of the choices you have.
Keep our options open
Example: So far, four new vendors have given a bid for construction of the new bridge in Amsterdam. But we are keeping our options open to see who else will make a bid, before we make our final decision.
- On the fence– not able to decide about something
Example: My wife needs to learn English. But she is on the fence about whether to take classes or private English lessons with a tutor.
On the fence
8.Bite the bullet – to deal with a difficult situation
Example: We don’t want to close our branch in Paris, but sales have fallen and we must bite the bullet and close in March of next year.
- Six of one, half a dozen of the other– both actions will have the same results
Example: Sales will be the same if we stay in Houston or relocate to Los Angeles. We think it’s six of one, half a dozen of the other.
- Tough call – a difficult decision
Example: Samsung had to make a tough call and stopped making the Galaxy mobile phone because of the battery.
Students, practice using these idioms and expressions so that you will become more fluent in American English. Good luck!
If you’re interested in online or in-person classes, give us a call at Worldwide English (713) 953-6511 or visit us online at http://www.englishlessons-houston.com. We are based in Houston, Texas teaching English worldwide.
Business English Lessons Houston
Business Expressions and Idioms – Talking about Business Success
Hi Students,
Here are some examples of idioms and expressions that you will sometimes hear when people are talking about success in business.
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Recording breaking
– to do better than one has done before
Examples: Verizon Wireless had a record-breaking first quarter. The sales were the highest in the company’s history.
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Pan out – to have a good result
Example: Wells Fargo encouraged its employees to open new accounts and it panned out. Four hundred new accounts were opened last month!
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A pat on the back – words of gratitude or encouragement
Example: The boss gave Rodrigo a pat on the back for his hard work last month.
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Kudos
– compliments for a job well done
Example: Kudos to the employees of Bank of China for bringing in a lot of new customers.
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Through the roof
– very high amounts
Example: The number of sales of the new Apple IPhones are through the roof! The number of phone bought is much higher than we expected.
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Share the credit
– to mention that you had help from colleagues
Example: Thank you for the pat on the back! But I want to share the credit with my colleagues who worked with me on this project.
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Make a killing
– making a lot of money
Example: I bought stock in AT&T when the price was low, and I made a killing. The price is very high now.
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Break even
– when expenses are equal to profits
Example: We had a lot of expenses in our first year in business, so we just broke even. Next year, we will make a profit.
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To have the lion’s share
– to have the largest share in the market
Example: Chevron Corporation has the lion’s share of service contracts in the oil and gas industry.
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Hit pay dirt – make money
Example: After breaking even for three years in a row, we finally hit pay dirt in 2016 and made very high profits.
Students, practice using these idioms and expressions so that you will become more fluent in American English. Good luck!
If you’re interested in online or in-person classes, give us a call at Worldwide English (713) 953-6511 or visit us online at Worldwide English. We are based in Houston, Texas teaching English worldwide.
Business English Lessons in Houston
Business Expressions and Idioms – Talking about Scheduling.
Hi Students,
Here are some examples of idioms and expressions that you will sometimes hear when your colleagues are talking about scheduling.
1. Ahead of schedule– doing something faster than expected
Example: The engineering department is ahead of schedule on the drawings for the new bridge. They will probably finish earlier than we expected.
2. Behind schedule – doing something slower than expected.
Example: FedEx is rarely behind schedule on its deliveries. They are almost always on time.
3. Crunch time – When there is not very much time left to get something done.
Example: It’s crunch time! The financial analysis for the project in the Permian Basin is due tomorrow. We should hurry!
4. Down to the wire – To complete work just before something is due
Example: In order to finish the model on time, we will need to work down to the wire. We will all work late tonight. The project is due tomorrow morning at 9:00 a.m. 
5. Fast track – to try and finish something quickly
Example: The client wants this completed by next Friday. We will have to fast track the project to get it done on time.
6. Mess around – waste time
Example: We are behind schedule on the Janus project. We need to quit messing around and get back to work!
7. Get up to speed – to learn the latest information about something
Example: Mr. Chu, please bring us up to speed on the project for Berkshire-Hathaway.
8. Working against the clock – to try to do something in a short amount of time
Example: In order to fill these orders for Walmart by December 1st, we will be working against the clock to get it done.
9. 24/7 – to do something 24 hours a day, 7 days a week
Example: In order to complete the project, everyone is working 24/7 to get it done on time.
10. Cutting it close– to complete something with not enough time
Example: Jerry has to deliver the contract to before 5:00 p.m. today. He will be cutting it close and I’m not sure he can do it.
Students, practice using these idioms and expressions so that you will become more fluent in American English. Good luck!
If you’re interested in online or in-person classes, give us a call at Worldwide English (713) 953-6511 or visit us online at http://www.englishlessons-houston.com. We are based in Houston, Texas teaching English worldwide.