Business English

Question	Answer
Go to person	A person you can go to for help, advice or information
Compelling	(Adj) If a reason, argument, etc. is compelling, it makes you believe it or accept it because it is so strong
Trajectory	(N) The curved path that an object follows after it has been thrown or shot into the air ex: be on an upward/downward trajectory
A dead duck	A plan, an event, etc. that has failed or is certain to fail and that is therefore not worth discussing
Walking papers	The letter or notice dismissing somebody from a job
Sleeping partner	A person who has put money into a business company but who is not actually involved in running it
Sell ice to Eskimos	To persuade people to go against their best interests or to accept something unnecessary or preposterous.
Red tape	Official rules that seem more complicated than necessary and prevent things from being done quickly
Keep head above water	To deal with a difficult situation, especially one in which you have financial problems, and just manage to survive
Hold the fort	To have the responsibility for something or care of somebody while other people are away or out
Grease someone’s palm	To give somebody money in order to persuade them to do something dishonest
Golden handshake	A large sum of money that is given to somebody when they leave their job, or to persuade them to leave their job
A slice of the pie	A share of something such as money, profits, etc.
A foot in the door	To manage to enter an organization, a field of business, etc. that could bring you success
Cash cow	The part of a business that always makes a profit and that provides money for the rest of the business
Think outside the box	Create an original idea outside the boundaries of normal thinking, constraints, systems or rules.
Not going to fly	When an idea, plan or concept is not going to work (be successful or supported by others).
When it rains it pours	Often used when several difficult (or positive) situations happen simultaneously.
Start off on the right foot	To begin a project, relationship or action in a sensible and sound way, so that the probabilities of a successful project or relationship are made stronger.
On the same page	Make sure that everyone involved in the discussion understands the topic(s) being discussed from the same perspective; having the same shared understanding of a situation / perspective.
Out on a limb	To make a statement, suggestion or assumption that is risky, that may be based on less-than-full-information about the listener, that may be a little bold and sometimes ‘outside the box’.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket	Do not allow yourself to put all your hopes and dreams into one idea, plan, or concept. You need to remain open to other options, and to consider pursuing a number of approaches to maximize the probabilities of success.
Land on your feet	Usually said to someone when they have worked really hard and successfully made it through a difficult situation.
Take the bull by the horns	Acknowledge and confidently take ownership of a difficult situation.
Hold your horses	Thoroughly think through a situation before you make a decision; to stop or slow down to think more thoroughly about how to move forward.
Jump the gun	Making a decision or statement too early or quickly before the right time (when you have analyzed the situation and planned appropriately what to do or say); to act or say something prematurely.
Throw in the towel	Quit; give up your pursuit of a goal or project
Miss the mark	When you fail to achieve a goal; when your performance in a task/activity does not meet the standard or target.
To stay on your toes	A warning / suggestion to remain alert, focused, sharp and responsive; to apply yourself to be continuously focused on the task, goals, objectives and situation.
Stab someone in the back	When someone betrays another person’s trust by attacking them without warning, devastating the person who is attacked (who previously thought the attacker was their ally and could never do such a thing). People often stab people in the back to pursue or advance their own personal agenda or position / status.
A chip on your shoulder	When someone’s past negative experiences cause them to hold a bad attitude or be extra-sensitive and negative in certain situations that may remind them of their past difficulties.
Raise the bar	To increase / raise standards, targets, and expectations.
Back to square one	Having to start over again. A situation where prior efforts and steps have failed, or ideas have been rejected, and you have to return to the start to begin again.
Hit the nail on the head	To precisely and accurately describe a situation or problem. To do something perfectly.
Cut to the chase	Tell someone exactly what you mean or need; stop giving the background and make the key point or points; don't ramble.
Water under the bridge	Past situations or history that is being left in the past to move forward. Past history which is being forgotten, forgiven, or no longer to be emphasized. Something that happened in the past that you don't worry about anymore.
Jump through hoops	Do everything possible to achieve your goal or please someone, particularly to persevere through many rules, stages and processes that may be challenging.
Playing catch up	To be behind in a task or in knowledge of a situation, and to be working hard to be back up-to-date and fully-informed of the current situation.
Rock the boat	To do something that challenges the current way things are done, or someone’s authority. Often expressed in the negative - i.e. don't do anything that will challenge others and call attention to yourself in a negative way. To keep the peace.
Know when to cut your losses	Know when it is time, after experiencing multiple losses or setbacks, to stop your pursuit of the goal or strategy and to do something else. Know when the losses are to the point you have to give up, rather than waste more energy in a strategy that will only lead to more losses.
Out of the blue	Coming on you without warning/ suddenly and unexpectedly
Resonate	-> To continue to produce a loud, clear, deep sound for a long time -> To have particular meaning or importance for someone : to affect or appeal to someone in a personal or emotional way
Roadmap	-> A map that shows the roads in a particular area -> A plan for achieving a goal
Growth hacking	Marketing technique developed by technology startups which uses creativity, analytical thinking, and social metrics to sell products and gain exposure. “A growth hacker is a person whose true north is growth."
Multiplier effect	The multiplier effect refers to the increase in final income arising from any new injection of spending.
Cull	To remove rejected members or parts from (a herd, for example). n. Something picked out from others, especially something rejected because of inferior quality.
Long shot	An attempt or guess that has only the slightest chance of succeeding or being accurate. "it's a long shot, but well worth trying"
Hackathon	Hackathon is a gathering where programmers collaboratively code in an extreme manner over a short period of time
Cajole	Persuade (someone) to do something by sustained coaxing or flattery. To influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering. To cajole someone is to persuade them by using insincere compliments or promises.
Autocratic	Bossy way of ordering others around A rather aggressive & dominating character Managed the employees in an aloof magisterial way A swaggering peremptory manner
Avid	Having or showing a keen interest in or enthusiasm for something. "an avid reader of science fiction"

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	Created by Ronak Sharma over 9 years ago