Master the world of work and money; acquire the essential English idioms for career success.
12 topics205 words
The Business World12 words
shotgun approachnouna broad marketing strategy that uses multiple tactics to reach a wide audience, but without a clear understanding of the target market, leading to a less effective use of resources
going concernnouna business that produces a great deal of profit
to [do] a roaring (trade|business)phraseto have a busy business, selling a lot of goods or services
in the blackphraseused to refer to something, particularly a bank account, that is providing one with a considerable amount of profit
to [turn] tricksphraseto engage in sexual activities in exchange for money
pay dirtnouna valuable or significant discovery, often resulting in financial gain or success
bricks-and-mortarphrase(especially of a business) having a physical, real-world location
skeleton (staff|crew)phrasethe minimum staff required for a business to run at a basic level
skeleton servicenounthe service that is available only at certain times or under certain conditions
money spinnernouna business, product, or activity that generates a lot of profit
in pocketphraseused for saying that one has more than enough money, usually gained in a transaction
bottom linenounthe amount that was profited or lost in an organization or company after everything was calculated
Office Life & Work19 words
all in a day's workphrasesomething that is a typical or normal part of a person's job
to [mix] business with pleasurephraseto combine enjoyable activities with one's work
rat racenouna draining and stressful lifestyle that consists of constantly competing with others for success, wealth, power, etc. and so leaving no room for rest and pleasure
to [talk] shopphraseto have work-related discussions outside of work, particularly when it is annoying or inappropriate
the right (hand|) does not know what the left (hand|) [is] doingsentenceused to refer to the lack of communication between the different parts of an organization about their roles or activities that leads to confusion and dysfunction
red tapenounofficial procedures or rules that are unnecessary and time-consuming
to [close] the booksphraseto no longer make new entries when an accounting period is at its end
blood on the carpetphraseconflict between the people of an organization or company that leads to unpleasant situations
top dognouna person who holds the highest rank in a particular group or organization
new kid on the blockphrasea person or thing that has recently joined a specific place, field, company, group, etc.
part of the furniturephrasesomething or someone that has been at a place for so long that one no longer notices them
to [run] a tight shipphraseto control and manage an organization, group, business, etc. in a manner that is very strict, efficient, and effective
to [fall] out with {one's} bread and butterphraseto have a disagreement with someone or something that provides one's primary source of income or livelihood
golden yearsnouna period of time in which someone no longer works due to old age
dead-end jobnouna job that does not provide one with the chance to advance to a better position or job
busman's holidaynouna period of leisure or vacation spent engaging in activities related to one's job or profession
(new|fresh) bloodphrasepeople who are newly employed or admitted in order to provide the group, company, etc. with enthusiasm and new and exciting ideas
in harnessphraseused when one is back to doing one's job and normal activities at work, particularly after a leave or vacation
big mamanouna way of referring to the woman who is a leading member or the founder of an organization, movement, etc.
Job Responsibilities & Tasks16 words
to [cover] for {sb}phraseto fulfill a person's responsibilities while they are sick or on a leave
[iron] in the firephrasea project, activity, plan, business, etc. that an individual is involved in
to [put|set] {sb} to workphraseto assign a task or job to a person
to [wear] (many|several) (different|) hatsphraseto have different roles, positions, or jobs at the same time
to [have] big (shoes|boots) to fillphraseto have to put in a lot of effort into one's work to be on the same level as one's predecessor
to [play] (hooky|hookey)phraseto not attend work, school, or other obligations without giving an explanation or getting permission
on the clockphraseduring the hours that one is required to be working
to [step] into {one's} shoesphraseto be given someone's task, role, job, etc., particularly after they have left
to [pick up] the batonphraseto continue or complete a task or project that someone else began or left unfinished
to [hand] over the baton to {sb}phraseto transfer responsibility or a task from one person to another
to [have] {sth} on {one's} handsphraseto need to deal with something as a part of one's responsibilities or obligations
to [hold] the fortphraseto assume full control or responsibility of something until the actual person in charge returns, particularly in business
to [fill] {one's} shoesphraseto take on a person's position, role, or responsibility after they are gone
to [step] into the breachphraseto take action or assume responsibility in a difficult or challenging situation, often when others are unable or unwilling to do so
work to rulenouna labor strategy where employees intentionally perform their job duties strictly according to the rules and procedures, without going beyond what is explicitly required, as a means of protest or showing dissatisfaction with work conditions
to [work] to rulephrase(of workers) to refrain from doing any extra work
Job Opportunities18 words
a foot in the doorphrasean opportunity for starting a business or entering an organization, etc. in order to achieve a higher level of success later
to {not} [give] up the day jobphraseto advise someone to continue with their current job instead of trying a new job that is likely to fail
to [fall] on {one's} swordphraseto take the blame or punishment for something, even if it is not entirely one's fault, in order to protect someone else or to preserve one's honor
to [get] the (sack|boot|axe)phraseto be fired from one's position or job
[give] {sb} the pink slipsentenceto inform one's employee that they are being dismissed
heads (will|are going to) rollsentenceused to express that people are going to be punished for something, particularly by being fired
(career|corporate) ladderphrasethe different levels of jobs and responsibilities that people can move up in their chosen profession as they gain more experience and skills
to [give] {sb} the (sack|boot|axe)phraseto dismiss one's employee
to [get] the birdphraseto be subjected to disapproval, rejection, or criticism from others, often through booing
to [show] {sb} the doorphraseto dismiss or fire someone from their job or position
to [hang] up {one's} glovesphraseto retire or quit from a profession or activity that involves physical or competitive effort
to [hang] up {one's} bootsphraseto retire from a particular activity or occupation, especially one's profession or career
to [carve] (out|) a nichephraseto successfully create a secure position for oneself at work, often by excelling in a very specific field related to it
walking (papers|ticket)phrasea notice given to someone, asking them to leave a job or place
to [put] {sb} out to pasturephraseto retire someone due to their old age
to [wait] in the wingsphraseto be waiting for an opportunity to arise in order to take action
get the birdphraseto be fired or dismissed from a job, usually in an abrupt or disrespectful manner
show somebody the doorphraseto dismiss or fire someone from their job or position
Collaboration & Teamwork8 words
to [play] ball with {sb}phraseto cooperate, work together, or engage in a mutually beneficial interaction or partnership with someone
to [do] {one's} (bit|part)phraseto fulfill one's share of responsibilities
(more|greater|better) than the sum of its partsphrasesurpassing in terms of quality or effectiveness when working as a whole rather than individually
to [pull] {one's} weightphraseto complete one's responsibilities regarding a group task, project, work, etc.
[partner] in crimephrasetwo individuals who managed to plan and get something done together
hand and glovephrasetogether in a tight, often seamless or intimate partnership
in harnessphrasewith one another to achieve an aim
all hands on decksentenceused for saying that everyone's assistance is needed for a situation, particularly a difficult one
Busy & Active16 words
a (hive|beehive) of (activity|industry)phrasea place where many people are very busy
to [be|get] (run|rushed) off {one's} feetphraseto have a lot of things that need to be done
to [have] (a lot|too much) on {one's} platephraseto have a certain amount of tasks or problems that need to be dealt with
to [work|slog|sweat] {one's} guts outphraseto work really hard to achieve an aim
(as|) busy as a beephraseextremely busy with work, activities, etc.
to [work] like a (horse|dog|Trojan)phraseto work exceptionally hard
to [burn] the [candle] at both endsphraseto drain oneself by working very late into the night and getting up early in the morning
(as|) busy as a beaverphraseextremely active, busy, and hardworking
to [have] {one's} hands fullphraseto have a lot of work that needs to be dealt with
(in|into) high gearphrasein a state that is extremely efficient or active
to {not} [have] a minute to call {one's} ownphraseto be so busy that one has no free time
on the gophrasein a state of being actively engaged in various activities or constantly in motion, typically indicating a busy and active lifestyle
to [juggle] frogsphraseto try to handle or manage several difficult tasks or responsibilities at the same time, highlighting a busy and demanding situation
to [spread] {oneself} too thinphraseto take on more tasks or responsibilities than one can handle effectively, resulting in a lack of focus and decreased productivity
pressed for timephrasehaving very little time left
the heat [is] onsentenceused to indicate that a situation is becoming highly intense or critical, often implying increased pressure, urgency, or scrutiny
Earning Money22 words
to [bring] home the baconphraseto earn enough money to be able to pay for the necessities of life
{one's} bread and butterphrasethe main source of a person or business's income
to [keep] the (pot|kettle) boilingphraseto manage to earn enough money to buy essential things in one's life
to [keep] body and soul togetherphraseto be capable of providing for one's most essential needs
to [make] (both|) ends meetphraseto make enough money to pay for one's basic needs
to [keep] the [wolf] from the doorphraseto make enough money to afford the necessities of life
to [coin] moneyphraseto make a lot of money in a fast way
to [make] a killingphraseto earn a large amount of money, often in a short period of time and with little effort, usually through a successful business venture, investment, etc,
to [make] a mintphraseto earn a lot of money
to [laugh] all the way to the bankphraseto gain significant wealth, often by doing something that is considered useless or foolish by many
to [line] {one's} (own|) [pocket]phraseto gain money using methods that are illegal or dishonest
license to print moneyphrasea commercial activity that enables its participants to become rich without making much effort
plum jobnouna highly desirable job or position, often characterized by excellent pay, benefits, working conditions, and opportunities for advancement
money for (old rope|jam)phrasemoney that one can earn without making much effort
Midas touchnouna type of ability where one can make a profit from anything that one does
to [play] the marketphraseto participate in buying and selling stocks and other financial instruments in the hopes of making a profit
{num} in pocketphraseused to say that an amount of money is gained as profit in a transaction
golden handcuffsnouna good pension or a large salary given to certain employees in order to encourage a longer employment term
golden parachutenouna financial compensation that is offered to a top executive in the event that their employment is terminated
golden handshakenouna payment or package given to a worker, usually a high-ranking manager, when they leave a company
on the dolephraseused of a person who is unemployed but receives regular payment or benefits from the government
bring home the baconphraseto earn enough money to be able to pay for the necessities of life
Wealth & Luxury15 words
from rags to richesphraseused to refer to the action of rising from the depth of poverty to the highest of riches
to [be] rolling in (it|money)phraseto have a great deal of money
filthy richphrasepossessing an excessive amount of money
high (on|off) the hogphrasein a very comfortable, expensive, and luxurious way
to [be|live|keep] in cloverphraseto be living a comfortable and luxurious life
in the lap of luxuryphrasein a very comfortable condition due to an abundance of wealth
to [live] largephraseto have a very luxurious and comfortable lifestyle
{num} better offphraseused to refer to a financially superior situation than before or when compared to others
a beggar on horsebackphrasesomeone who has suddenly gained great wealth or high status and has become arrogant or corrupt
to [have] it made in the shadephraseto be in a very good position and be living a luxurious life
deep pocketsnouna person or thing such as a business with significant financial resources
creature comfortsnouna set of things that make life comfortable and more enjoyable for one
to [strike] it richphraseto come into possession of a great sum of money in a very sudden or unexpected way
to [live] the life of Rileyphraseto be enjoying a luxurious and comfortable life
to [rake] in the moneyphraseto earn a large amount of money, usually quickly or easily
Poverty & Financial Issues25 words
to [catch] (a|) coldphraseto get sick with a virus that causes a runny nose, cough, and sore throat
to [go] to the wallphraseto suffer ruin, failure, or defeat, due to financial difficulties, and without the possibility of recovery or rescue
to [lose] {one's} shirtphraseto lose a big sum of money, often due to a risky bet or investment
(in|into) the redphrasein debt due to spending more than one's earnings
on {one's} uppersphrasein an extremely bad financial condition
to [live] (from|) hand to mouthphraseto survive with only the bare minimum resources, often with no savings or financial security
(as|) poor as a church [mouse]phraseseverely lacking money
(as|) poor as Jobphraseextremely lacking money
to {not} [have] a beanphraseto not have any money
the breadlinenounan informal threshold of income that marks the level at which a person or household is regarded as very poor or barely able to afford basic necessities
out at (the|) elbowsphraseused to refer to someone who does not have enough money and is considered poor by the society's standards
to [feel] the pinchphraseto face financial difficulties, particularly due to not having the same income as before
{num} out of pocketphraseused to say that an amount of money was lost due to a transaction
dirt poorphraseaffected by poverty to an extreme degree
to [wipe] the slate cleanphraseto forget about past disagreements or mistakes and start afresh
to [go] out of businessphraseto cease to exist as a functional company or business due to financial challenges or difficulties
on a shoestringphrasewith a minimal amount of financial resources
flat brokephraselacking any money or financial resources
a pot to piss inphrasevery little or no money
catch (a) coldphraseto face problems and difficulties, particularly financial ones
go to the wallphraseto suffer ruin, failure, or defeat, due to financial difficulties, and without the possibility of recovery or rescue
on the roadphrase(of people) without any home or shelter, therefore constantly moving from one location to another
out at (the) elbowsphraseused to refer to someone who does not have enough money and is considered poor by the society's standards
dry spellnouna period that is lacking productivity, profit, success, etc.
wipe the slate cleanphraseto forgive and forget someone's debt, enabling them to start fresh without any financial obligations
Price & Money21 words
chicken feednounan extremely small amount of money
small fortunenounmoney in large amounts
for a songphraseat a price that is extremely low
dirt cheapphrasecosting very little, often far less than expected or typical
cheap and cheerfulphrasehaving a low price and a satisfactory quality
to [suit] every pocketphraseto be affordable by many
bang for {one's} [buck]phrasethe value a person gains in exchange for the amount of money they spend or the effort they make
rich for {one's} bloodphrasetoo fancy or costly for someone
white elephantnouna possession that is costly to maintain and difficult to dispose of, often more trouble than it is worth
an arm and (a|) legphrasea large sum of money
(at|for) a pricephrasewith a very high price
to [break] the bankphraseto financially ruin one due to having a very high cost
highway robberynounan act of overcharging
to [up|raise] the antephraseto increase the price of something
over the oddsphrase(of a price tag) much more than what is considered normal or fair
a pretty pennyphrasea large amount of money
to [be] a stealphrase(of something available for sale) to be much cheaper than its usual or expected price
to [price] {oneself} out of the marketphraseto sell one's services or goods at such a high and unreasonable price that people refuse to buy them
to [see] the color of {one's} moneyphraseto make sure that someone can pay for something before doing business with them
red centnounan amount of money that is extremely small
up the antephraseto increase the price of something
Paying & Purchasing15 words
to [pay] through the nose for {sth}phraseto pay an unreasonably high price for something
{num} out of {one's} own pocketphraseused for saying that a cost is paid by a person themselves instead of an organization or fund
at {one's} expensephrase(particularly of a joke) in a way that causes harm to someone or makes them embarrassed
to [foot] the billphraseto accept the financial burden or responsibility for a certain project, service, or event, and pay for it
on the hook for {sth}phraseused to say that someone has to pay for something
to [pay] {one's} (own|) [way]phraseto pay for one's expenses and not need financial support from others
going ratenounthe price that is presently usual for a product or service
nothing downphrasenot needing to pay anything upfront or to make a deposit
to [pick] up the (bill|check|tab) for {sth}phraseto pay the expense of something, usually instead of someone else
to [go] Dutchphrase(of two or more people) to pay one's own share of the costs
to [go] halvesphraseto pay half of the expenses each
to [buy] a lemonphraseto purchase an item, typically a product or object, that is defective, unsatisfactory, or of little value or use
window shoppingnounthe activity of just looking at the goods in the windows of stores without going inside and buying something
to [offer] {one's} [hen] for sale on a rainy dayphraseto try to sell something when the conditions are not favorable
at one's expensephraseused to say who has paid for something
Spending or Saving Money18 words
to [tighten] {one's} beltphraseto lessen the amount of money or resources one uses compared to before, particularly due to having less available
to [stretch] {one's} legs according to the coverletphraseto avoid spending more money than what one earns
to [stretch] {one's} arm no further than {one's} [sleeve] (will reach|)phraseThe origin of this idiom is not clear, but it likely developed from the idea of being cautious and not overreaching or attempting more than one can handle.
to [throw] good money after badphraseto continue to waste a lot of money on something that is not worth it
to [have] more money than sensephraseto possess a significant amount of wealth but lack good judgment or wisdom in managing it
to [live] beyond {one's} meansphraseto spend in a way that exceeds one's income
to [live] within {one's} meansphraseto spend no more money than one has
to [burn] a hole in {one's} pocketphraseto have a strong desire to spend money quickly or impulsively, often resulting in reckless spending habits
to [throw] money out (of|) the windowphraseto wastefully and recklessly spend money
to [spend] money like waterphraseto carelessly spend a great sum of money
to [play] ducks and drakes with {sth}phraseto use or handle something in a wasteful and careless manner
nest eggnounmoney that is put aside as savings for the future or special occasions
to [cut] {one's} coat according to {one's} clothphraseto live in a way that does not exceed one's financial limitations
to [have] money to burnphraseto have more money than one needs and waste it on unnecessary things
money pitnounused to refer to something on which one keeps spending more and more money
to [scrimp] and [save|scrape]phraseto try to spend as little money as possible
black holenouna project, activity, business, etc. that uses a lot of money or resources without providing any results or profit
high rollernounsomeone that spends money in an extravagant way
Learn all 205 words in this list with spaced repetition