70 Powerful Business Idioms to Boost Your ESL Students’ Confidence

If you want to help your ESL students speak confidently about business, learning business idioms is a must. Business idioms are common expressions that native speakers use every day in work conversations. This post is the best resource because it gives you 70 useful business idioms, all explained in simple language.

Using idioms can make your students’ business conversations sound more natural and professional. You can easily build lessons around these idioms with fun activities like discussion questions, role-plays, and debates. These activities help students practice vocabulary and common expressions in real-life business situations.

Whether you want to teach small groups or a full class, this list gives you plenty of material to create engaging lessons. Your students will improve their speaking skills and gain confidence by using these idioms naturally.

Keep reading to find clear meanings, example sentences, and practice questions for each idiom. This post will give you everything you need to make your ESL business classes interesting and effective!

Why Business Idioms Are Important in ESL Learning

Business idioms help ESL learners understand how people really talk in work situations. In many countries, people use idioms in meetings, emails, and everyday office talks. If students know these idioms, they can understand better and join conversations more easily.

Using idioms also makes students sound more natural and confident. When students use common expressions, native speakers feel they can communicate well. This helps in job interviews, presentations, and teamwork.

Learning business idioms also builds vocabulary in a fun way. Instead of only learning new words, students learn phrases that have special meanings. This helps them remember and use language more quickly.

Finally, business idioms open doors to more interesting lessons. Teachers can create role-plays, debates, and questions that connect to real work life. This makes learning practical and useful for students who want to succeed in English-speaking workplaces.

1. A foot in the door

Meaning: A chance to start working or getting involved in something important.

Example Sentences:

1. She got a foot in the door by volunteering at the company.
2. Getting an internship is a good way to get a foot in the door.
3. He wants to get a foot in the door before applying for a full-time job.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever tried to get a foot in the door at a company? How?
2. Why is it important to get a foot in the door when looking for a job?
3. What can you do to get a foot in the door in your dream career?

2. Ahead of the curve

Meaning: Being more advanced or doing better than others.

Example Sentences:

1. Our company is ahead of the curve in using new technology.
2. She studies hard to stay ahead of the curve at school.
3. Being ahead of the curve helps you succeed in business.

Context Questions:

1. How do you try to stay ahead of the curve in your work or studies?
2. Can you think of a time when you were ahead of the curve?
3. Why is it important to be ahead of the curve in business?

3. All hands on deck

Meaning: Everyone needs to help or be involved in a difficult situation.

Example Sentences:

1. The project deadline is near, so it’s all hands on deck.
2. When the company had problems, it was all hands on deck to fix them.
3. During busy times, it’s all hands on deck in the office.

Context Questions:

1. When have you experienced an all hands on deck situation?
2. How do you feel when everyone works together like all hands on deck?
3. What kind of tasks need all hands on deck in your job?

4. Back to the drawing board

Meaning: To start again because the first idea did not work.

Example Sentences:

1. Our plan failed, so it’s back to the drawing board.
2. The product didn’t sell well, so the team went back to the drawing board.
3. When the design was rejected, we had to go back to the drawing board.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever had to go back to the drawing board in your work or study?
2. How do you feel when you have to start over?
3. What can you do to make your next plan better after going back to the drawing board?

5. Ballpark figure

Meaning: An approximate number or estimate.

Example Sentences:

1. Can you give me a ballpark figure for the project cost?
2. I don’t know the exact price, but the ballpark figure is about $1,000.
3. The manager asked for a ballpark figure before the meeting.

Context Questions:

1. When might you need a ballpark figure in business?
2. How do you feel about working with estimates like ballpark figures?
3. Can you give a ballpark figure of your monthly expenses?

6. Big picture

Meaning: The overall or main idea, not the small details.

Example Sentences:

1. Don’t worry about small mistakes; look at the big picture.
2. The manager always thinks about the big picture.
3. To solve this problem, we need to see the big picture first.

Context Questions:

1. How do you keep the big picture in mind when working on a project?
2. Can you share a time when focusing on the big picture helped you?
3. Why is it important to see the big picture in business?

7. Blue chip

Meaning: A very valuable and reliable company or investment.

Example Sentences:

1. Apple is considered a blue chip company.
2. Many investors prefer blue chip stocks for safe returns.
3. The bank only invests in blue chip businesses.

Context Questions:

1. Do you know any blue chip companies? Which ones?
2. Why do investors like blue chip companies?
3. Would you want to work for a blue chip company? Why or why not?

8. Break even

Meaning: To earn just enough money to cover costs, without profit or loss.

Example Sentences:

1. Our store broke even last month after many months of losses.
2. The new product is expected to break even in six months.
3. We need to sell more to break even this quarter.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever tried to break even on a project or business?
2. Why is breaking even important for new businesses?
3. How can you improve sales to break even faster?

9. Bring to the table

Meaning: To offer something useful or valuable.

Example Sentences:

1. She brings strong skills to the table in our team.
2. What can you bring to the table in this job?
3. The new partner brings a lot of experience to the table.

Context Questions:

1. What skills do you bring to the table at work?
2. How do you think you can bring value to a team?
3. Have you ever worked with someone who brought a lot to the table?

10. Burn the midnight oil

Meaning: To work late into the night.

Example Sentences:

1. I had to burn the midnight oil to finish the report.
2. She burns the midnight oil before exams.
3. We burned the midnight oil to meet the deadline.

Context Questions:

1. When was the last time you burned the midnight oil?
2. How do you feel after working late at night?
3. Do you think burning the midnight oil is good or bad? Why?

11. By the book

Meaning: To do something exactly according to rules or instructions.

Example Sentences:

1. The lawyer does everything by the book.
2. We must follow safety rules by the book.
3. The manager wants the project done by the book.

Context Questions:

1. Do you prefer to do things by the book or more creatively?
2. When is it important to follow rules by the book?
3. Have you ever had a problem by not doing something by the book?

12. Call it a day

Meaning: To stop working for the rest of the day.

Example Sentences:

1. We finished the project, so let’s call it a day.
2. After 10 hours of work, I decided to call it a day.
3. The team called it a day and went home early.

Context Questions:

1. When do you usually call it a day at work or study?
2. How do you feel when you call it a day?
3. What do you do after you call it a day?

13. Cash cow

Meaning: A product or business that makes a lot of money easily.

Example Sentences:

1. This product is our company’s cash cow.
2. The app became a cash cow after its big success.
3. Many companies have a cash cow to support other projects.

Context Questions:

1. Can you think of a cash cow in your country or industry?
2. Why is it important to have a cash cow in business?
3. How can a company create a new cash cow?

14. Change gears

Meaning: To change what you are doing or how you do it.

Example Sentences:

1. After the meeting, we need to change gears and start marketing.
2. She changed gears and focused on customer service.
3. Let’s change gears and discuss the new plan.

Context Questions:

1. When have you had to change gears in your work or studies?
2. How easy or hard is it for you to change gears?
3. What do you do to change gears smoothly?

15. Cut corners

Meaning: To do something in a cheaper or easier way that may be wrong or unsafe.

Example Sentences:

1. Don’t cut corners on safety rules.
2. They cut corners to finish the project quickly.
3. Cutting corners can cause problems later.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever seen someone cut corners at work? What happened?
2. Why do some people cut corners?
3. What can you do to avoid cutting corners?

16. Deep pockets

Meaning: Having a lot of money to spend.

Example Sentences:

1. Only companies with deep pockets can afford this project.
2. Investors with deep pockets help startups grow.
3. The company has deep pockets for new technology.

Context Questions:

1. Why do deep pockets help in business?
2. Can you think of a company with deep pockets?
3. How can a small business get deep pockets?

17. Down to the wire

Meaning: Something that happens at the last possible moment.

Example Sentences:

1. The deal was made down to the wire.
2. We worked down to the wire to finish the report.
3. The project deadline came down to the wire.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever finished something down to the wire?
2. How do you feel when things go down to the wire?
3. What do you do to avoid waiting down to the wire?

18. Drop the ball

Meaning: To make a mistake or fail to do something.

Example Sentences:

1. He dropped the ball on the important presentation.
2. Don’t drop the ball on this project.
3. I dropped the ball and forgot to send the email.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever dropped the ball at work or school?
2. How did you fix the problem after dropping the ball?
3. What can you do to avoid dropping the ball?

19. Eat one’s own dog food

Meaning: To use your own products or services to show confidence in them.

Example Sentences:

1. Our company eats its own dog food by using our software every day.
2. If you eat your own dog food, customers will trust you more.
3. The team ate their own dog food during testing.

Context Questions:

1. Why is it good for a company to eat its own dog food?
2. Have you ever used your own product or service?
3. How can eating your own dog food improve business?

20. Elephant in the room

Meaning: An obvious problem or issue that people avoid talking about.

Example Sentences:

1. The budget cuts were the elephant in the room during the meeting.
2. Everyone ignored the elephant in the room: the delayed project.
3. We need to talk about the elephant in the room before it gets worse.

Context Questions:

1. Have you experienced an elephant in the room at work or school?
2. Why do people avoid talking about elephants in the room?
3. How can you bring up an elephant in the room?

21. Eye on the ball

Meaning: To stay focused on the important goal.

Example Sentences:

1. Keep your eye on the ball during the presentation.
2. The manager always keeps her eye on the ball.
3. If you want to succeed, keep your eye on the ball.

Context Questions:

1. How do you keep your eye on the ball when working?
2. What distracts you from keeping your eye on the ball?
3. Can you share a time when you kept your eye on the ball?

22. Face time

Meaning: Time spent meeting or talking with someone in person.

Example Sentences:

1. The boss wants more face time with the team.
2. We need face time with clients to build trust.
3. Face time is important for good communication.

Context Questions:

1. How often do you get face time with your manager or teacher?
2. Do you prefer face time or online meetings? Why?
3. How can you make the most of face time?

23. Fast track

Meaning: A quicker way to achieve something or advance.

Example Sentences:

1. She was fast tracked to a manager position.
2. The company offers a fast track program for new employees.
3. Fast track your career by learning new skills.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever been on a fast track at work or school?
2. What can help you get on a fast track?
3. Would you like to be fast tracked? Why or why not?

24. Feather in one’s cap

Meaning: An achievement to be proud of.

Example Sentences:

1. Winning the award was a feather in her cap.
2. Completing the project early is a feather in your cap.
3. That deal is a feather in the company’s cap.

Context Questions:

1. What is a feather in your cap from work or school?
2. How do you feel when you achieve something important?
3. Can you share a feather in your cap from your life?

25. Get down to business

Meaning: To start working seriously.

Example Sentences:

1. After small talk, let’s get down to business.
2. We should get down to business and finish the report.
3. It’s time to get down to business now.

Context Questions:

1. When do you usually get down to business during your day?
2. How do you motivate yourself to get down to business?
3. What helps you focus when you get down to business?

26. Get the ball rolling

Meaning: To start an activity or process.

Example Sentences:

1. Let’s get the ball rolling on the new project.
2. We need to get the ball rolling before the deadline.
3. She got the ball rolling by sending the first email.

Context Questions:

1. What is a project you would like to get the ball rolling on?
2. How do you start something new?
3. Can you describe a time you got the ball rolling?

27. Give someone the green light

Meaning: To give permission to start something.

Example Sentences:

1. The boss gave us the green light to launch the product.
2. We got the green light to start construction next week.
3. She gave me the green light to organize the event.

Context Questions:

1. Who gives you the green light at work or school?
2. How do you feel when you get the green light?
3. What would you do if you don’t get the green light?

28. Go the extra mile

Meaning: To do more than what is expected.

Example Sentences:

1. She always goes the extra mile for her clients.
2. To succeed, you need to go the extra mile.
3. He went the extra mile to finish the project on time.

Context Questions:

1. Can you share a time when you went the extra mile?
2. Why is it important to go the extra mile?
3. How do you feel when someone goes the extra mile for you?

29. Go back to the drawing board

Meaning: To start over because the plan failed.

Example Sentences:

1. The plan didn’t work, so we went back to the drawing board.
2. After the problem, it’s time to go back to the drawing board.
3. We must go back to the drawing board and create a new strategy.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever had to go back to the drawing board?
2. How do you feel when you must start over?
3. What helps you when you go back to the drawing board?

30. Golden handshake

Meaning: A large payment given when someone leaves a company.

Example Sentences:

1. He got a golden handshake when he retired.
2. The company gave her a golden handshake after 20 years.
3. Golden handshakes are common for senior managers.

Context Questions:

1. Have you heard about anyone getting a golden handshake?
2. Why do companies give golden handshakes?
3. Would you like to get a golden handshake? Why or why not?

31. Greenfield project

Meaning: A new project started from nothing.

Example Sentences:

1. The company started a greenfield project in a new city.
2. Building the new factory was a greenfield project.
3. Greenfield projects need a lot of planning.

Context Questions:

1. Can you think of a greenfield project near you?
2. What challenges might a greenfield project have?
3. Would you like to work on a greenfield project? Why?

32. Hand in glove

Meaning: Working very closely together.

Example Sentences:

1. The team worked hand in glove to finish the job.
2. The manager and staff work hand in glove.
3. They have a hand in glove relationship.

Context Questions:

1. Who do you work hand in glove with?
2. Why is close teamwork important?
3. How do you improve working hand in glove with others?

33. Hit the ground running

Meaning: To start something quickly and successfully.

Example Sentences:

1. She hit the ground running in her new job.
2. We need to hit the ground running with this project.
3. The team hit the ground running after the meeting.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever hit the ground running?
2. How do you prepare to hit the ground running?
3. What helps you start something new fast?

34. In the loop

Meaning: To be informed and updated about something.

Example Sentences:

1. Please keep me in the loop about the project.
2. She is always in the loop with company news.
3. We need to keep everyone in the loop during the changes.

Context Questions:

1. How do you stay in the loop at work or school?
2. Why is it important to be in the loop?
3. How do you inform others to keep them in the loop?

35. Jump the gun

Meaning: To start something too early before the right time.

Example Sentences:

1. He jumped the gun and sent the email before the meeting.
2. Don’t jump the gun; wait until you get all the information.
3. She jumped the gun by making a decision too quickly.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever jumped the gun on a task?
2. What happens if you jump the gun in a project?
3. How do you know the right time to start something?

36. Keep one’s eye on the ball

Meaning: To stay focused on the important goal or task.

Example Sentences:

1. Keep your eye on the ball during the presentation.
2. We must keep our eye on the ball to finish on time.
3. She keeps her eye on the ball and works hard.

Context Questions:

1. How do you keep your eye on the ball at work or school?
2. What distractions do you face when trying to focus?
3. Why is it important to keep your eye on the ball?

37. Keep the ball rolling

Meaning: To continue progress without stopping.

Example Sentences:

1. Let’s keep the ball rolling and finish the project.
2. After the meeting, we kept the ball rolling with new ideas.
3. She keeps the ball rolling by working every day.

Context Questions:

1. How do you keep the ball rolling on your tasks?
2. What can stop the ball from rolling in a team?
3. Have you helped keep the ball rolling in a group project?

38. Know the ropes

Meaning: To understand how to do something well.

Example Sentences:

1. It takes time to know the ropes at a new job.
2. After training, she knows the ropes very well.
3. He knows the ropes and helps new employees.

Context Questions:

1. How long did it take you to know the ropes at your job or school?
2. Who helps you learn the ropes?
3. Why is it important to know the ropes before starting work?

39. Learn the ropes

Meaning: To learn how to do a new job or task.

Example Sentences:

1. It took me a week to learn the ropes in my new role.
2. The mentor helped me learn the ropes quickly.
3. She is still learning the ropes but improving every day.

Context Questions:

1. What was hard when you were learning the ropes?
2. How do you learn the ropes faster?
3. Who helped you learn the ropes?

40. Level playing field

Meaning: A situation where everyone has the same chance.

Example Sentences:

1. The new rules created a level playing field for all teams.
2. We want a level playing field in the competition.
3. Fair policies help keep a level playing field.

Context Questions:

1. How do you create a level playing field at work or school?
2. Why is a level playing field important?
3. Can you give an example of a level playing field?

41. Make a long story short

Meaning: To tell something quickly without details.

Example Sentences:

1. To make a long story short, we finished the project early.
2. He made a long story short and gave the main point.
3. Let me make a long story short: the meeting was canceled.

Context Questions:

1. When do you make a long story short in conversations?
2. How do you decide what details to skip?
3. Can you make a long story short about your last trip?

42. Move the goalposts

Meaning: To change the rules or conditions unfairly.

Example Sentences:

1. They moved the goalposts after we started the project.
2. It’s not fair to move the goalposts during the test.
3. The manager moved the goalposts to make the task harder.

Context Questions:

1. Have you experienced someone moving the goalposts?
2. How do you react if the goalposts are moved?
3. Why is it important to keep the goalposts fixed?

43. On the back burner

Meaning: To delay or postpone something.

Example Sentences:

1. We put the new project on the back burner for now.
2. The issue was put on the back burner because of other priorities.
3. They put their vacation plans on the back burner.

Context Questions:

1. What tasks do you put on the back burner?
2. How do you decide what goes on the back burner?
3. Have you had to put an important task on the back burner? Why?

44. On the same page

Meaning: To agree or understand something the same way.

Example Sentences:

1. We need to be on the same page before the meeting.
2. The team is on the same page about the project goals.
3. Let’s get on the same page to avoid confusion.

Context Questions:

1. How do you make sure everyone is on the same page?
2. What happens if people are not on the same page?
3. Can you share a time when you were on the same page with others?

45. Out of the loop

Meaning: Not informed or included in important information.

Example Sentences:

1. I felt out of the loop during the decision process.
2. Don’t leave me out of the loop about the changes.
3. He was out of the loop because he missed the meeting.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever been out of the loop at work or school?
2. How do you feel when you are out of the loop?
3. How can you avoid being out of the loop?

46. Outside the box

Meaning: To think in a new, creative, or different way.

Example Sentences:

1. We need to think outside the box to solve this problem.
2. Her outside the box ideas helped the company grow.
3. Try to look outside the box for new solutions.

Context Questions:

1. When do you need to think outside the box?
2. Can you give an example of outside the box thinking?
3. How do you encourage yourself to think outside the box?

47. Pass the buck

Meaning: To avoid responsibility by giving it to someone else.

Example Sentences:

1. Don’t pass the buck; take responsibility for your work.
2. He tried to pass the buck when the project failed.
3. Passing the buck causes problems in the team.

Context Questions:

1. Have you seen someone pass the buck at work or school?
2. How do you handle situations when others pass the buck?
3. Why is it important to take responsibility?

48. Pay dividends

Meaning: To bring good results or benefits in the future.

Example Sentences:

1. Hard work pays dividends in the long run.
2. Their investment paid dividends after a year.
3. Learning new skills pays dividends in your career.

Context Questions:

1. What activities have paid dividends for you?
2. How do you stay motivated to do things that pay dividends?
3. Can you share an example when your work paid dividends?

49. Pick up the slack

Meaning: To do work that others did not do.

Example Sentences:

1. She picked up the slack when the team was short.
2. We need someone to pick up the slack on this project.
3. He picked up the slack after the manager left.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever picked up the slack for others?
2. How do you feel when you pick up the slack?
3. What happens if no one picks up the slack?

50. Play hardball

Meaning: To act strongly and strictly to get what you want.

Example Sentences:

1. The company played hardball in the negotiation.
2. Sometimes you have to play hardball to win.
3. He played hardball to get the best deal.

Context Questions:

1. When might you need to play hardball?
2. How do people react when someone plays hardball?
3. Can playing hardball cause problems?

51. Put all your eggs in one basket

Meaning: To risk everything on one plan or idea.

Example Sentences:

1. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket with investments.
2. She put all her eggs in one basket by choosing one job.
3. It’s safer not to put all your eggs in one basket.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever put all your eggs in one basket?
2. Why is it risky to put all your eggs in one basket?
3. How do you spread your risks in work or life?

52. Raise the bar

Meaning: To set higher standards or expectations.

Example Sentences:

1. The new product raised the bar for quality.
2. We need to raise the bar to stay competitive.
3. She always raises the bar in her work.

Context Questions:

1. When have you raised the bar in your work or studies?
2. How do higher standards affect a team?
3. What can you do to raise the bar?

53. Read between the lines

Meaning: To understand the hidden meaning.

Example Sentences:

1. You need to read between the lines to understand his message.
2. Reading between the lines shows the real problem.
3. She read between the lines and knew something was wrong.

Context Questions:

1. When do you try to read between the lines?
2. Can you share a time you understood something hidden?
3. How can reading between the lines help you at work or school?

54. Red tape

Meaning: Official rules or procedures that slow down work.

Example Sentences:

1. The project was delayed because of too much red tape.
2. We need to reduce red tape to finish faster.
3. Red tape often makes business harder.

Context Questions:

1. Have you experienced red tape in your work or studies?
2. How does red tape affect work?
3. What can be done to reduce red tape?

55. Reinvent the wheel

Meaning: To waste time creating something that already exists.

Example Sentences:

1. Don’t reinvent the wheel; use the existing solution.
2. She tried to reinvent the wheel instead of asking for help.
3. Reinventing the wheel wastes time and resources.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever reinvented the wheel by mistake?
2. How can you avoid reinventing the wheel?
3. Why do some people reinvent the wheel?

56. Rock the boat

Meaning: To cause trouble or change when things are okay.

Example Sentences:

1. Don’t rock the boat during the team meeting.
2. She didn’t want to rock the boat by disagreeing.
3. Sometimes you must rock the boat to improve things.

Context Questions:

1. When might it be good or bad to rock the boat?
2. Have you ever rocked the boat at work or school?
3. How do people react when someone rocks the boat?

57. Run it up the flagpole

Meaning: To try an idea to see how people react.

Example Sentences:

1. Let’s run it up the flagpole before we decide.
2. He ran the proposal up the flagpole with his team.
3. We should run this idea up the flagpole to get feedback.

Context Questions:

1. When would you run an idea up the flagpole?
2. How do you feel when you ask for feedback?
3. Have you ever run an idea up the flagpole? What happened?

58. Seamless integration

Meaning: When different parts work together easily and without problems.

Example Sentences:

1. The new software allows seamless integration with our system.
2. We need seamless integration between the sales and marketing teams.
3. Seamless integration improves company efficiency.

Context Questions:

1. What is an example of seamless integration in your work or life?
2. Why is seamless integration important for businesses?
3. How can you help create seamless integration in a team?

59. Shake things up

Meaning: To change something to make it better or more exciting.

Example Sentences:

1. The new manager wants to shake things up in the office.
2. We need to shake things up to stay competitive.
3. She shook things up with her new ideas.

Context Questions:

1. When is it good to shake things up?
2. Have you ever tried to shake things up? What happened?
3. What can you do to shake things up in your work or school?

60. Shoot from the hip

Meaning: To speak or act quickly without thinking carefully.

Example Sentences:

1. He tends to shoot from the hip in meetings.
2. Don’t shoot from the hip; think before you speak.
3. Sometimes shooting from the hip can cause problems.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever shot from the hip? What was the result?
2. When might shooting from the hip be helpful?
3. How do you control yourself to avoid shooting from the hip?

61. Skin in the game

Meaning: Having a personal interest or risk in something.

Example Sentences:

1. Investors have skin in the game when they buy shares.
2. The manager has skin in the game because he owns part of the company.
3. Having skin in the game motivates people to work harder.

Context Questions:

1. Do you have skin in the game at your job or school?
2. How does having skin in the game affect your work?
3. Why is skin in the game important in business?

62. Square peg in a round hole

Meaning: Someone who does not fit well in a situation or job.

Example Sentences:

1. He felt like a square peg in a round hole in his old job.
2. She was a square peg in a round hole on the team.
3. Finding the right role helps avoid square peg in a round hole situations.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever felt like a square peg in a round hole?
2. How do you handle being a square peg in a round hole?
3. What can companies do to avoid this problem?

63. Step up to the plate

Meaning: To take responsibility and do something important.

Example Sentences:

1. It’s time to step up to the plate and lead the project.
2. She stepped up to the plate when her team needed help.
3. Everyone should step up to the plate during busy times.

Context Questions:

1. When have you stepped up to the plate?
2. How do you prepare yourself to step up to the plate?
3. What stops people from stepping up to the plate?

64. Take it offline

Meaning: To discuss something privately or later, not during the current meeting.

Example Sentences:

1. Let’s take this offline and talk after the meeting.
2. We can take it offline if the discussion gets too long.
3. They took the problem offline to avoid interrupting the meeting.

Context Questions:

1. When do you think it’s good to take a conversation offline?
2. How do you feel about taking things offline?
3. Can you share a time you took a discussion offline?

65. Touch base

Meaning: To briefly talk or communicate to update or check in.

Example Sentences:

1. Let’s touch base next week about the project.
2. I touched base with my manager this morning.
3. We should touch base before the deadline.

Context Questions:

1. How often do you like to touch base with your team?
2. What do you talk about when you touch base?
3. How does touching base help in work or school?

66. Turnkey solution

Meaning: A product or service that is ready to use immediately.

Example Sentences:

1. The company offers a turnkey solution for small businesses.
2. We bought a turnkey solution for our new office.
3. Turnkey solutions save time and effort.

Context Questions:

1. Have you used a turnkey solution before?
2. What are the advantages of turnkey solutions?
3. When would you prefer a turnkey solution?

67. Up in the air

Meaning: Something not yet decided or uncertain.

Example Sentences:

1. Our travel plans are still up in the air.
2. The project deadline is up in the air right now.
3. Decisions about the budget are up in the air.

Context Questions:

1. Have you had important things up in the air?
2. How do you deal with uncertainty?
3. Why do some decisions stay up in the air?

68. Value-added

Meaning: Something extra that makes a product or service better.

Example Sentences:

1. The value-added features make this phone worth buying.
2. We offer value-added services like free support.
3. Value-added products attract more customers.

Context Questions:

1. What value-added services do you like?
2. How do companies create value-added products?
3. Can you think of a value-added feature in your work or school?

69. Win-win situation

Meaning: A situation where everyone benefits.

Example Sentences:

1. The deal was a win-win situation for both companies.
2. Negotiations should create a win-win situation.
3. We want to find a win-win situation for all team members.

Context Questions:

1. Have you experienced a win-win situation?
2. How can you create win-win situations?
3. Why is a win-win situation important in business?

70. Word of mouth

Meaning: Information shared by people talking to each other.

Example Sentences:

1. The restaurant got many customers by word of mouth.
2. Good products spread by word of mouth.
3. Word of mouth is a powerful marketing tool.

Context Questions:

1. Have you ever heard about a product by word of mouth?
2. How does word of mouth affect your decisions?
3. How can companies encourage positive word of mouth?

Conclusion

Business idioms are an important part of learning English for work. They help students understand real conversations and speak more naturally. By using business idioms in your ESL classes, you can make lessons more fun and useful.

Activities like role-plays, questions, and debates will help students practice and remember these expressions. Teaching business idioms gives your students the confidence to use English in the workplace and improve their communication skills.

FAQs about Using Business Idioms in ESL Class

What are business idioms?
Business idioms are common phrases used in work and business talks. They have special meanings that are different from the literal words.

Why should I teach business idioms to ESL students?
Teaching business idioms helps students understand native speakers better and speak more naturally in business settings.

How can I use business idioms in lessons?
You can use idioms in conversations, role-plays, questions, and debates to practice speaking and listening skills.

Are business idioms hard for ESL learners?
Some idioms can be tricky, but using simple explanations and examples makes them easier to learn.

Can business idioms improve vocabulary?
Yes, learning idioms helps students learn useful phrases and expand their vocabulary in a meaningful way.

How do business idioms help with communication?
Using idioms makes students sound more fluent and helps them connect better with native speakers.

Should beginners learn business idioms?
Beginners can start with easy idioms and slowly learn more as their English improves.

Can business idioms be used in writing?
Yes, idioms can be used in emails, reports, and presentations to make writing more natural.

What is the best way to practice business idioms?
Practice through speaking activities like role-plays, discussions, and using idioms in real conversations.

Where can I find good lists of business idioms?
Good lists, like the one in this post, provide clear meanings, examples, and practice questions to help teaching and learning.