Business Idioms 1

Question 1

It’s a LOSE-LOSE SITUATION

Answer 1

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

Question 2

You can try the product for free with NO STRINGS ATTACHED

Answer 2

no special conditions or restrictions

Question 3

OFF THE TOP OF ONE’S HEAD

Answer 3

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)

Question 4

We are ON A ROLL

Answer 4

experience prolonged success/good luck

“estar en racha”

Question 5

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

Answer 5

more advanced than the competition

Question 6

AT STAKE

Answer 6

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

Question 7

to give you a BALLPARK FIGURE..

Answer 7

A rough estimate

Question 8

we mustn’t lose sight of THE BIG PICTURE

Answer 8

the situation as a whole

Question 9

Let’s CALL IT A DAY

Answer 9

agree to stop doing something

Question 10

BLUE COLLAR

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

It’s important that we do everything BY THE BOOK

Answer 11

According to the rules

Question 12

Let’s GET DOWN TO BUSINESS

Answer 12

Stop making small talk and start talking about serious topics

Question 13

GIVE THE THUMBS UP

GIVE THE THUMBS DOWN

Answer 13

Give approval

Deny approval

Question 14

It’s not clear, it’s a GRAY AREA

Answer 14

Not easily categorized

Question 15

The iPhone was a GROUND-BREAKING piece of technology

Answer 15

Innovative, pioneering

Question 16

IN A NUTSHELL,

Answer 16

In the fewest possible words,

Question 17

The company is IN THE BLACK / IN THE RED

Answer 17

making a profit / not making a profit

Question 18

It’s the LAST STRAW

Answer 18

(“la gota que colma el vaso”)

Question 19

We are ON THE SAME PAGE

Answer 19

in agreement

Question 20

Keep me IN THE LOOP

Answer 20

aware of information about a particular matter.

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

Question 21

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

Answer 21

Excessive bureaucracy

Question 22

We don’t always SEE EYE TO EYE

Answer 22

to agree

Question 23

SMALL TALK

Answer 23

Polite conversation about unimportant things.

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

Question 24

we have STATE-OF-THE-ART facilities

Answer 24

modern, technologically advanced

Question 25

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

Answer 25

think creatively, think of unconventional solutions

Question 26

WORD OF MOUTH

Answer 26

personal recommendation (“el boca a boca”)

Question 27

We are in the SAME BOAT

Answer 27

in the same circumstances

Question 28

LEARN THE ROPES

Answer 28

Learn the basics of something

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

Question 29

LOOPHOLE

Answer 29

Ambiguity in the law (“laguna legal”)