Business Idioms 1 Flashcards

1
Q

It’s a LOSE-LOSE SITUATION

A

(Or NO-WIN SITUATION) when no choice is good

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

You can try the product for free with NO STRINGS ATTACHED

A

no special conditions or restrictions

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

OFF THE TOP OF ONE’S HEAD

A

I have no idea how many, off the top of my head I’d say about 20 (without thinking about it much or doing any research)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

We are ON A ROLL

A

experience prolonged success/good luck

“estar en racha”

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

“24/7”

A

24 hours a day, 7 days a week

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

we want to stay AHEAD OF THE CURVE / AHEAD OF THE PACK

A

more advanced than the competition

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

ASAP

A

as soon as possible

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

AT STAKE

A

There’s a lot at stake. = there’s a lot at risk (en juego)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

to give you a BALLPARK FIGURE..

A

A rough estimate

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

we mustn’t lose sight of THE BIG PICTURE

A

the situation as a whole

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Let’s CALL IT A DAY

A

agree to stop doing something

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

BLUE COLLAR

A

A “blue collar worker” is someone who works with his hands (manufacturing, construction, maintenance, etc.). The opposite is a “white collar worker”, someone who works in an office.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

It’s important that we do everything BY THE BOOK

A

According to the rules

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Let’s GET DOWN TO BUSINESS

A

Stop making small talk and start talking about serious topics

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

GIVE THE THUMBS UP

GIVE THE THUMBS DOWN

A

Give approval

Deny approval

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

It’s not clear, it’s a GRAY AREA

A

Not easily categorized

17
Q

The iPhone was a GROUND-BREAKING piece of technology

A

Innovative, pioneering

18
Q

IN A NUTSHELL,

A

In the fewest possible words,

19
Q

The company is IN THE BLACK / IN THE RED

A

making a profit / not making a profit

20
Q

It’s the LAST STRAW

A

(“la gota que colma el vaso”)

21
Q

We are ON THE SAME PAGE

A

in agreement

22
Q

Keep me IN THE LOOP

A

aware of information about a particular matter.

The opposite “out of the loop”: unaware of information

23
Q

The new law is going to create a lot of RED TAPE

A

Excessive bureaucracy

24
Q

We don’t always SEE EYE TO EYE

A

to agree

25
Q

SMALL TALK

A

Polite conversation about unimportant things.

E.g. we typically spend 5 minutes making small talk before the meetings.

26
Q

we have STATE-OF-THE-ART facilities

A

modern, technologically advanced

27
Q

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

A

think creatively, think of unconventional solutions

28
Q

WORD OF MOUTH

A

personal recommendation (“el boca a boca”)

29
Q

We are in the SAME BOAT

A

in the same circumstances

30
Q

LEARN THE ROPES

A

Learn the basics of something

E.g. I like my new job, I’m starting to learn the ropes.

31
Q

LOOPHOLE

A

Ambiguity in the law (“laguna legal”)