52 Most Common Business Idioms from The New York Times to Make Your Business English Spectacular

Have you ever picked up a newspaper like The New York Times and noticed how many idiomatic expressions pop up in the business section? You might read it for technology or international news, maybe science, health, sports, or politics. Some flip straight to editorials, classifieds, fashion, or real estate. Others can’t wait to tackle the crossword or daily bridge tips. Me? I always turn to the business section. It’s filled with up-to-date articles on the latest happenings in the business world, and over time I began to notice something interesting: the word choices in those articles often go hand in hand (together; along with) with the mission of my company, TalktoCanada, which focuses on teaching English online to students around the globe.

I’ve finally narrowed it down to 52 business idioms that I continually see in the New York Times. If you study and learn these idioms, you’ll be well on your way to understanding business English and making your own English skills more spectacular. In reflecting on when I started TalktoCanada nearly two decades ago, I’m reminded daily of the rewards and challenges of running a growing business. Maybe you are in the same boat (in the same situation)—perhaps you own a business or are thinking of starting one. Maybe you work for a company or deal with businesses regularly in your job. Over the years, I’ve certainly had to wear many hats (do many different jobs or tasks at once) because there is seldom enough time to get everything done. One promise I made to myself was that I would never cut corners (do something the cheapest or easiest way at the expense of quality). Even when I found myself between a rock and a hard place (facing a dilemma with two bad options), I knew I had to put our students and staff first and maintain our standards.

Below, you’ll find the 52 idioms (with explanations) that I’ve gathered. They are grouped into themes to make them easier to digest. Let’s dive in!

🤝 Starting Out Strong: Idioms for Early Business Challenges (1–5)

When launching a business or project, certain idioms often describe the experience of beginning and the principles we choose to uphold. Here are five common expressions you might encounter in the context of starting out and facing initial challenges:

1. Hand in hand (together; along with) – This idiom describes things that closely go together. For example, “Innovation goes hand in hand with success in business.” In my case, reading the business news went hand in hand with improving my business vocabulary.
2. In the same boat (in the same situation) – Used to highlight shared circumstances. “After the company restructuring, all of us were in the same boat, waiting to see what our new roles would be.” Entrepreneurs often feel they’re in the same boat when facing a tough economy or competitive market.
3. Wear many hats (to do many jobs or tasks at once) – A colorful way to say “multi-task.” If you wear many hats, you handle a variety of responsibilities. “At a startup, everyone wears many hats – you might be the salesperson, customer support, and marketer all in one day!”
4. Cut corners (do something in the easiest or cheapest way, often sacrificing quality) – This idiom warns against lowering standards to save time or money. “We don’t cut corners on safety, even if it means spending more on production.” In business, cutting corners can lead to mistakes or poor quality products.
5. Between a rock and a hard place (in a dilemma; faced with two bad options) – This phrase describes a no-win situation. “When the client demanded a faster timeline but refused to increase the budget, we were stuck between a rock and a hard place.” In such cases, any decision feels unsatisfactory, but a choice has to be made.

🚀 The Startup Spirit: Idioms of Bold Moves (6–12)

The world of startups and new ventures is full of excitement, risk, and innovation. The idioms in this section capture the bold spirit of entrepreneurship – from the surprises that blow you away to daring strategies that might be a long shot:

6. Startup (a new business venture, often in technology or innovative fields) – This isn’t an idiom in the figurative sense, but it’s a key business term. “Several startups are disrupting the finance industry with new digital solutions.” Startups represent new ideas and often shake up the market.
7. Blow you away (to impress or overwhelm you greatly) – When something is astonishing or beyond expectations. “The prototype blew the investors away with its efficiency.” New products or pitches that blow you away leave a strong impression on everyone watching.
8. Ahead of the game (being successful or having an advantage, especially by doing something early) – If you’re ahead of the game, you’re leading in your field or prepared before others. “By adopting renewable energy early, the company stayed ahead of the game in sustainability.” It’s all about staying competitive by being proactive.
9. Go for broke (to risk everything in an all-out effort) – To go for broke means to give it your all, even if it’s risky. “They decided to go for broke and invest all their resources in the new product launch.” It’s the business equivalent of betting everything on one big move.
10. Game plan (a strategy or plan of action) – Just like in sports, a game plan in business is how you plan to achieve your goal. “Our game plan for expanding into Asia involves partnering with local firms.” Entrepreneurs develop a solid game plan before they venture into a new market.
11. Go down swinging (to persist bravely until the end, even in defeat) – This idiom comes from baseball, implying you’ll take your final swing even if you might strike out. “The proposal was ultimately rejected, but we’ll go down swinging and try again next quarter.” It reflects determination to keep trying against the odds.
12. A long shot (something with a low probability of success) – If an attempt is a long shot, it’s unlikely to succeed…but it’s worth trying. “Securing that huge client was a long shot, but our team put in the effort and it paid off.” Many startups themselves are long shots that, with perseverance, can turn into big successes.

⚖️ Balancing Challenges and Opportunities: Idioms for Tough Decisions (13–17)

Every business venture involves trade-offs and tough decisions. Founders and professionals constantly juggle risks and rewards, trying not to let things fall through the cracks while aiming to land on their feet. These idioms describe the challenges and opportunities in that balancing act:

13. Trade-off (a compromise where you give up one thing to gain another) – In business, every choice has a trade-off. “The trade-off for cutting costs on materials could be lower product quality, which might hurt us in the long run.” This highlights that you can’t have it all; choosing one thing often means losing something else.
14. Fall through the cracks (to be overlooked or forgotten, or to fail unnoticed) – When something falls through the cracks, it doesn’t get the attention it needs. “We need a better system for customer support so that inquiries don’t fall through the cracks.” Small tasks or even people can be neglected in a busy organization if you’re not careful.
15. Burnout rate (the speed at which people become exhausted or lose enthusiasm) – Burnout refers to physical or mental exhaustion, often from overwork. “In the startup world, the burnout rate for new founders can be high if they don’t find a healthy work-life balance.” This term reminds us that working too hard for too long has consequences.
16. Miss the boat (to miss an opportunity) – If you miss the boat, you’re too late for a valuable chance. “Online advertising is crucial—companies that don’t embrace social media may miss the boat on reaching younger customers.” The idiom conjures an image of watching the boat (or opportunity) sail away without you.
17. Land on your feet (to succeed or cope well after a difficult situation) – This phrase suggests resilience. “Even after the project funding was cut, our manager landed on her feet by finding an alternate budget to keep it going.” People or businesses that land on their feet recover gracefully from setbacks or changes.

🤔 Teamwork and Innovation: Idioms for Collaboration (18–28)

Running a business isn’t a solo endeavor – teamwork, communication, and fresh thinking are key. The following idioms relate to working together effectively and coming up with creative solutions. Sometimes you have to take the bull by the horns, and other times it’s best if everyone is on the same page to achieve a win-win situation:

18. Take the bull by the horns (to confront a problem directly and with courage) – When you take the bull by the horns, you tackle an issue head-on instead of avoiding it. “The client’s complaints were increasing, so we took the bull by the horns and revamped our customer service protocol immediately.” It’s all about confident, direct action.
19. On the same page (having the same understanding or agreement) – If team members are on the same page, everyone understands the plan or information in the same way. “Let’s make sure we’re on the same page about the project goals before we proceed.” Clear communication ensures no one is left confused.
20. See eye to eye (to completely agree with someone) – To see eye to eye means sharing the same view on something. “The CEO and CFO see eye to eye on the expansion strategy, which is a good sign for its success.” This idiom often refers to harmony in opinion among colleagues or partners.
21. Think outside the box (to think creatively or from a new perspective) – Businesses value employees who think outside the box. “Our design team really thought outside the box and came up with an innovative solution that our competitors never considered.” This idiom encourages breaking away from conventional thought to spark innovation.
22. Give and take (a fair exchange; compromise or mutual concessions) – Successful negotiations and teamwork require give and take. “After some give and take, the two departments reached a budget agreement that satisfied everyone.” This phrase highlights the importance of cooperation and flexibility – everyone gives a little and gets a little to move forward.
23. Meet someone halfway (to compromise with someone) – Similar to give and take, to meet halfway means each party concedes something to reach a mutual agreement. “The client wanted a 15% discount, we offered 5%, so we met them halfway at 10% to close the deal.” It’s an idiom that underscores flexibility and fairness in deal-making.
24. Cut to the chase (to get straight to the point, focusing on what’s important) – In business meetings, time is money. Cutting to the chase means skipping unnecessary details and addressing the main point. “We have a lot to cover, so let’s cut to the chase — how much will this proposal cost?” This expression actually comes from movie editing, but it’s perfect for the boardroom when efficiency is needed.
25. Shoot from the hip (to speak or act impulsively without much thought) – Someone who shoots from the hip reacts quickly and bluntly. “Our VP is known to shoot from the hip, but sometimes that candor helps resolve issues faster.” While spontaneity can be risky, it can also signal confidence and straightforwardness.
26. Bend over backwards (to make a great effort to help or please someone) – If you bend over backwards for someone, you’re going out of your way to accommodate them. “Our support team bent over backwards to ensure the client’s launch was successful, even working overnight.” This idiom conveys going above and beyond normal expectations.
27. Water under the bridge (past problems that are forgiven or no longer considered important) – When you say something is water under the bridge, you mean an old conflict or issue is now resolved and behind you (like water that has flowed away). “We had our disagreements last year, but that’s water under the bridge now. We’re collaborating well on this new project.” This idiom is useful for mending relationships and moving on.
28. Win-win situation (a scenario where all parties benefit; everyone wins) – A win-win situation is the ideal outcome in negotiations or collaborations. “By lowering costs for customers but increasing volume, we created a win-win situation for buyers and our company’s profits.” In a win-win, nobody loses – all sides leave feeling satisfied.

💬 Communication is Key: Idioms for Staying on Track (29–33)

Effective communication and keeping everyone aligned are crucial for success. These idioms focus on initiating action, maintaining the correct course, avoiding mistakes, and ensuring everyone is informed. Strong communication gets the ball rolling and keeps a team ahead of the curve:

29. Get the ball rolling (to start an activity or process) – This phrase likens starting a project to literally setting a ball in motion. “Let’s get the ball rolling on the new marketing campaign by scheduling the first brainstorming session.” Once you get the ball rolling, momentum can build to carry the project forward.
30. On the right track (proceeding in a good or correct way) – If you’re on the right track, you’re doing things correctly and likely to succeed. “Our sales dipped in January, but February’s numbers show we’re back on the right track.” Staying on the right track means continuing beneficial practices and not deviating into pitfalls.
31. Screw up (to make a mistake or mess something up – slang) – A very common informal way to say “error” or “blunder.” “There was a billing screw-up that overcharged several customers, but we fixed it quickly.” You’ll often hear people say “I screwed up” to take responsibility for a mistake. It’s casual, so it’s more common in spoken language or quotes in articles than in formal writing.
32. In the loop (informed; included in the decision-making or knowledge-sharing process) – To be in the loop means to know what’s going on within a group or project. “Please keep me in the loop about any changes to the project timeline.” We often say “Thanks for looping me in” when someone includes us on important communications. Not being in the loop can lead to confusion or feeling left out.
33. Ahead of the curve (more advanced or successful than expected, or ahead of current trends) – This idiom suggests being a trendsetter or innovator. “Our company’s investment in AI put us ahead of the curve in tech adoption.” If you’re ahead of the curve, you’re doing better than the average or staying ahead of market changes, which is usually a competitive advantage.

📈 When Business Takes Off: Idioms for Success and Staying Sharp (34–43)

Every business strives for the moment when things take off and profits roll in. But success isn’t the end of the story – you still need to remain vigilant, solve problems, and prevent getting bummed out by setbacks. Here are idioms that describe the thrill of success as well as the importance of staying alert and fixing issues as you grow:

34. Take off (to become successful or popular quickly; to start to do well) – When a business takes off, it suddenly achieves success. “After we implemented that viral marketing strategy, sales took off!” This phrase evokes a plane taking flight – slow at first, then soaring upward.
35. In the black (profitable; not in debt) – A company that is in the black is making money. (By contrast, in the red means operating at a loss.) “Thanks to a surge in holiday sales, our books are in the black for the first time this year.” It comes from accounting ledgers where profits were traditionally written in black ink and losses in red.
36. Kick back (to relax and enjoy time off) – After hard work leads to success, you might kick back a little – meaning take some leisure time. “Once the merger was finalized, the team kicked back for an evening to celebrate their hard work.” Be careful: **“kickback” (as one word) can also mean an illicit payment, but to kick back (two words) means to relax.
37. On the ball (attentive, knowledgeable, and quick to take action) – If someone is on the ball, they’re alert and doing a good job. “We need an assistant who’s really on the ball to keep the office running efficiently.” Staying on the ball means staying sharp, especially during success when it’s easy to get complacent.
38. Shoot the breeze (to chat informally about unimportant matters) – To shoot the breeze means to have a casual conversation, often to take a break. “After the conference call, we shot the breeze about our weekend plans before getting back to work.” Even in a busy workplace, a little friendly, aimless chat can build camaraderie (but don’t let it go on too long!).
39. Stay on your toes (to remain alert and ready for anything) – Even when business is good, it’s important to stay on your toes. “Competition in this market is fierce, so we have to stay on our toes for any changes in customer preference.” This idiom likely comes from sports or dance, implying a stance ready to move quickly.
40. Know the ropes (to be familiar with how something is done; to have expertise) – Once you know the ropes, you understand the ins and outs of a job or process. “It didn’t take our new hire long to know the ropes. Within a month, she was managing the client accounts like a pro.” This expression possibly originates from sailing or theater, where knowing which ropes do what is essential; in business it means having the know-how.
41. Troubleshoot (to find and solve problems) – To troubleshoot is to diagnose and fix issues, often technical or procedural problems. “The IT department troubleshot the server outage and had us back online within the hour.” This term is both a noun and verb in tech and business contexts and is crucial during growth to solve problems efficiently.
42. Get the bugs out (to eliminate flaws or errors) – Bugs refer to errors or defects (especially in software or systems). Getting the bugs out means finding and fixing all those little problems. “The pilot test of the app helped us get the bugs out before the full launch.” This idiom paints a picture of removing insects from something, but figuratively it’s about debugging systems or processes so things run smoothly.
43. Bummed out (informal: feeling sad, discouraged, or disappointed) – If someone is bummed out, they are dejected or stressed. “He was really bummed out after his proposal was rejected, but feedback will help him improve it for next time.” It’s a casual phrase, but you might see it in quotes or interviews within business articles when describing personal reactions. Success can come with setbacks, and it’s normal to feel bummed out occasionally – just don’t let it last too long.

🎯 Raising the Bar: Idioms for Continued Success (44–52)

Achieving success is one thing; staying on top of things and continually improving is another. This final set of idioms is all about pushing for higher standards, deciding when to act or wait, learning from mistakes, and ultimately enjoying the fruits of your labor. If you’ve made it this far, you’re already raising your own bar for Business English! Let’s finish strong:

44. Raise the bar (to set higher goals or standards) – When you raise the bar, you elevate expectations. “With our record sales this quarter, we’ll have to raise the bar for what this team can achieve next quarter.” This idiom comes from high-jumping or pole vaulting, but in business it means aiming higher than before.
45. Play it by ear (to improvise or decide your course of action as you go, rather than sticking to a plan) – To play it by ear means to wait and see before making a decision, much like musicians who play without sheet music. “Market conditions are volatile, so let’s play it by ear regarding the product launch date.” This approach is flexible and can be wise when you don’t have all the information yet.
46. Go all out (to put forth maximum effort; to give it everything you’ve got) – The opposite of “play it by ear” in many ways. If you go all out, you throw everything you have at a goal. “They went all out with the advertising campaign, booking prime-time TV spots and social media influencers to promote the new product.” Going all out shows determination and commitment to achieve something big.
47. Hold your horses (to slow down, wait, or be patient) – Often said as an exclamation, “Hold your horses!” This idiom reminds someone not to rush. “I know you’re excited to expand, but hold your horses – let’s make sure the original location is stable first.” It’s a friendly way to say “not so fast.”
48. Jump the gun (to start something too soon or ahead of the proper time) – Jumping the gun is what happens when someone acts before the appropriate time (like a runner starting a race before the gunshot). “Announcing the acquisition before it was finalized was jumping the gun – we should have waited for all the signatures.” This phrase is a caution against impatience in business decisions.
49. Drop the ball (to fail to do something important or to make a mistake, especially due to carelessness) – If you drop the ball, you’ve missed an opportunity or let someone down. “We really dropped the ball by not following up with that potential client. Now they’ve gone with a competitor.” The image is from sports (letting the ball fall from your hands), and it’s used for any big oversight or mistake in work.
50. Keep pace (to maintain the same speed or level of progress as someone or something else) – To keep pace means not to fall behind. “Technology changes so fast, it’s hard to keep pace with the latest trends without continuous learning.” Businesses often try to keep pace with industry leaders or market growth to stay relevant.
51. You can’t have your cake and eat it too (you can’t enjoy two desirable but incompatible alternatives; you must make a choice) – This proverbial idiom means you can’t have it both ways. “Unlimited vacation time sounds great, but still expecting productivity gains might be unrealistic – you can’t have your cake and eat it too.” In other words, if you eat the cake, you no longer have it; in business, it often refers to trade-offs (very much like our earlier trade-off idiom).
52. Stay on top of things (to remain in control of a situation and aware of the latest developments) – Our final idiom emphasizes the importance of staying on top of things – being organized, informed, and proactive. “The key to managing a large team is to stay on top of things by tracking progress and addressing issues as soon as they arise.” If you stay on top of things, you’ll be prepared for whatever comes next, and you’ll continue to thrive.

If you’ve made it through all 52 idioms, congratulations! 🎉 You’ve taken a big step toward making your business English spectacular. Remember, each idiom you learn is a new tool in your language toolbox. Try using a few of these in your conversations or writing this week to cement them in your memory.

Yes, I’ve been fortunate in my own journey with TalktoCanada – call it perseverance, call it hard work or maybe a bit of luck. Through it all, my business has continued to progress, and I remain committed to Improving the World with Better Communication. Feel free to write to me or comment and let me know how you’ve used these idioms. And if you come across any business idioms in a magazine or paper that aren’t on this list, I’d love to hear them! After all, continuing to learn is one of the best ways to stay ahead in both business and language.

As the saying goes, who says you can’t have your cake and eat it too? You can enjoy learning English and apply it in your professional life at the same time – the best of both worlds. This list is just one way to keep improving your business English, actually, to make it spectacular.

I think I’ll even ask for a subscription to The New York Times for my birthday... you know, just to stay on top of things! 😉 Enjoy your idiom learning journey, and keep raising that bar. Good luck!

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