8 English Idioms You'll Hear in the Workplace
Do you scratch your head when you hear peculiar English idioms? I understand; Some professional English phrases are weird and confusing. In this article, we'll explore some of the most interesting workplace English idioms.
I have worked with many international teams where we shared only one (or two) common language. Can you guess what language that was? Of course, I'm talking about English. English is an international language, and whether you like it or not, most international teams use professional English to communicate with each other.
My experience has always been awesome! Most of my clients and coworkers spoke professional English, and even those with limited proficiency could understand basic spoken English. One issue that I stumbled upon quite often was miscommunication when using English idioms.
The issue with English idioms and speaking English is that we're all taught in our own ways and process languages differently. For example, Dutch, Frisian, and German grammar is pretty similar to English, and people from the respective countries usually don't have issues speaking English. However, someone from Turkey or Japan who was taught languages that differ from English grammar and sentence structure might have a bit more difficulty speaking English and understanding English idioms.
Non-native speakers can use professional English without a hassle but sometimes translate the words directly from their native language, making a whole mess of a sentence in English (guilty as charged), or will hear English idioms that aren't used in their culture very often.
In this article, I'll teach you a few of my favorite English idioms that you'll hear at your workplace or in everyday professional English conversations.
English Idioms from Workplace: Positive Edition
English idioms come in all forms and tones. Some of them can be quite positive, and some of them could have a bit of negative meaning. I decided to segregate professional English idioms into two categories, positive and negative, so you'll know how to feel about them when you hear them.
"Back to the drawing board"
Meaning: Starting over with a new plan after the first one has failed
Origin: This is one of my favorite English idioms because it has a cool history. It's said that this phrase originated in the 1940s when a cartoon, made by Peter Arno in The New Yorker, described an engineer walking away from a crashed plane with a rolled-up blueprint, saying he was going "back to the drawing board."
The drawing board, in this case, means starting something from a clean slate, a new page, or a new idea.
"Up to speed"
Meaning: To be fully informed on the latest information
Origin: The phrase likely originates from the world of motorsports or aviation, where vehicles or planes need to reach the appropriate speed to function optimally. You say this idiom in professional English when you want to make sure that you're caught up with recent developments. For example, when you find a good English course online and complete it, you can say, 'I'm now up to speed with this material.'"
"A blessing in disguise"
Meaning: Something that seems negative at first but eventually turns out to be useful.
Origin: If you’re a fan of English idioms like I am, you might already be familiar with this phrase. But did you know that it can be used in professional English? Some experts trace this English idiom back to the 18th century and suggest that it has religious and moral teachings. In some cultures and religious literature, some misfortunes are seen as trials that lead to greater rewards. In professional English, we might use this idiom when someone makes a mistake, and it brings more usefulness than problems.
"The ball is in your court"
Meaning: It’s your turn to take action
Origin: This English idiom comes from sports terms and can be used in many situations, including workspaces and professional interviews. In tennis or similar games, where the ball moves from one player’s court to another, this phrase can be used freely. When someone tells you that the ball is in your court, it means that it’s your responsibility to hit it back or, in this case, take action. In professional English, this idiom can be used during negotiations.
“Touch base”
Meaning: To briefly communicate with someone and update them or check in on the progress
Origin: We have another English idiom that comes from sports terms. In baseball, players must “touch base” as they run around the field. It can also be described as a brief contact. This professional English idiom has been used since the mid-20th century to suggest and offer a quick meeting, update, or something similar.
English Idioms from Workplace: Gloomy Edition
Some professional English idioms have a gloomy feel to them. They’re not entirely negative, but you should know how these phrases feel in professional settings.
“Bite off more than you can chew”
Meaning: To take more responsibilities than one can handle
Origin: Experts speculate that this phrase originated in the United States during the 19th century. Can you guess where it comes from? Yeah - the process of eating! It basically means that if someone bites off more food than they can chew comfortably, they risk choking or struggling to swallow it. This phrase evolved and is now used in daily life and professional English. For example, if you get an English course online and add a few more, someone might tell you that you bit off more than you could chew.
“Cut corners”
Meaning: To save time by doing things in a simpler way
Origin: Some experts connect this idiom with the world of craftsmanship, like woodworking and tailoring. Originally, cutting corners meant to shave off material from the edges or corners to save time and resources. In professional English, it has a similar meaning. Sometimes, people cut corners (aka resources) to make things easier and cheaper. Why the gloomy feel? Because such a practice often results in failure of the product.
“In the same boat”
Meaning: Being in a similar situation with someone else
Origin: The phrase dates back to ancient times, where being in the same boat literally meant sharing the same fate as others on a ship, particularly in dangerous situations. The metaphorical use of the idiom became common in the 19th century and is often used to convey solidarity in adversity. In professional English, it’s used as a gloomy phrase and highlights a bit of a difficult situation that’s being shared by several people.
Bonus: 20 More Idioms You Should Know
- On the same page: In agreement or understanding.
- Get the ball rolling: Start a project or process.
- Pull your weight: Contribute fairly to a task.
- Throw in the towel: Give up or quit.
- Learn the ropes: Understand how something works.
- Keep your eye on the ball: Stay focused on the goal.
- Move the goalposts: Change the rules or expectations.
- Hit the nail on the head: Make an accurate or relevant point.
- In the loop: Being kept informed.
- Call it a day: Stop working for the day.
- Raise the bar: Increase the standards or expectations.
- Under the radar: Do something without drawing attention.
- Think outside the box: Come up with creative solutions.
- Bend over backwards: Go to great lengths to help or accommodate.
- By the book: Follow the rules exactly.
- Cut to the chase: Get to the point quickly.
- Take the bull by the horns: Face a challenge head-on.
- Up in the air: Uncertain or undecided.
- Put your foot in your mouth: Say something embarrassing or inappropriate.
- Show someone the ropes: Teach someone how to do something.
Are You on the Journey to Improve Your English Skills?
Then, continue finding these peculiar and interesting English idioms, phrases, and words. Speaking English isn’t that difficult when you’re familiar with them. The list of odd and interesting professional English idioms continues and thanks to the flexible nature of the languages, it’s even evolving.
Very soon, we’ll be using Engish idioms that we couldn’t even imagine would be heard in the workplace. So, keep learning and keep searching for more interesting ways to learn English online.