Work Idioms 1
Put something off
If you put something off, you delay doing it.
Take off
If something takes off, it increases or becomes popular very quickly.
People Person
Somebody who is a people person is extroverted, has great social skills, and loves interacting with people.
Crunch the Numbers
Crunching the numbers means to do a lot of calculations.
Have a lot on your plate.
If you have a lot on your plate, it means you have a lot of work and responsibilities at the moment.
Selling like Hotcakes
If a product is selling like hotcakes, it means a lot of customers are buying it very fast.
Think Outside the Box
To think outside the box means to think in a creative way that is different from usual.
Win-Win Situation
A win-win situation is a cooperative agreement that is good for both people or companies.
Test the Waters
If you test the waters, you try something new to see if it will be successful or not.
Bang for the Buck
If something provides more bang for the buck, it means it has more value for the money spent.
Learning Curve
The learning curve is the time it takes to learn an activity or system.
Off the Top of Someone's Head
If you know something off the top of your head, it means you know it immediately without needing to look for the information in books, on the internet, etc.
On the Back Burner
If a project is on the back burner, it means it is less important at the moment.
In the Red/In the Black
If a company is in the red, it means it is operating with debt. A company operating in the black means that it has a profit
Ramp up
If you ramp up something, it means you increase it.
“The preliminary market analysis is on the back burner; I have some other projects that are taking priority.”
If a project is on the back burner, it means it is less important at the moment.
“We’re testing the waters to see if changing the product’s packaging will increase sales.”
If you test the waters, you try something new to see if it will be successful or not.
“The new product is selling like hotcakes. We’ll need to produce more to keep up with the demand!”
If a product is selling like hotcakes, it means a lot of customers are buying it very fast.
“After crunching the numbers, our accounting department informed us that we don’t have enough money to buy the new equipment.”
Crunching the numbers means to do a lot of calculations.
“Sales have really taken off this year and the company is making record profits.”
If something takes off, it increases or becomes popular very quickly.
“I put off writing the report until the last day, and now I have to work overtime to finish it!”
If you put something off, you delay doing it.
“Sorry I didn’t call you back sooner; I have a lot on my plate right now.”
If you have a lot on your plate, it means you have a lot of work and responsibilities at the moment.
“This partnership will bring increased publicity to their company and new customers to ours. It’s a win-win situation.”
A win-win situation is a cooperative agreement that is good for both people or companies.
“I think we should use online ads instead of TV commercials. They give more bang for the buck.”
If something provides more bang for the buck, it means it has more value for the money spent.
“Our database system has an easy learning curve – you’ll be able to use it perfectly within a day.”
The learning curve is the time it takes to learn an activity or system.