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10 Common Business English Idioms – With Easy Explanations, Listening, and Quizzes
- Jun 5, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: May 9
In this article:
Business English idioms can be hard to understand because the meaning is not always obvious from the words.
In this lesson, you’ll learn 10 common idioms that people use in real workplace conversations. Each idiom comes with a simple explanation, natural business examples, listening practice, and quick quizzes to help you check your understanding.
You’ll practice expressions like back to square one, keep someone in the loop, touch base, raise the bar, and cut corners - so you can recognize them faster and use them more naturally at work.
Quick Guide: 10 Business English Idioms for Work
Save or print this guide. The examples and quizzes are below.
Now let’s look at each idiom in context.
Common Business English Idioms Used at Work
GET THE BALL ROLLING
to start something
Let’s get the ball rolling!
We’ve got a tight timeline, so let’s get the ball rolling as soon as everyone’s here.
Once we get the ball rolling, we’ll have a better idea of the challenges ahead.
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
to think in a creative way
We need to think outside the box to solve this problem.
His idea was great. He really thought outside the box.
Try to think outside the box when planning the event.
IN THE LOOP
informed and updated about what’s going on
Keep me in the loop about any changes, please.
I wasn’t in the loop, so I missed the meeting.
She always makes sure her team is in the loop.
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GO THROUGH THE ROOF
to rise quickly and a lot
Their sales went through the roof after the ad campaign.
My stress levels went through the roof last week.
Housing prices have gone through the roof lately.
What does "keep me in the loop" mean?
Answer and Explanation
What does "keep me in the loop" mean?
A) End the meeting
B) Fix the report
C) Work alone
D) Keep me updated
The correct answer is D.
Review the meaning: in the loop.
TOUCH BASE
to talk to someone quickly to check in or give an update
Let’s touch base tomorrow about the report.
I just wanted to touch base and see how things are going.
We touched base after the meeting to go over next steps.
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BACK TO SQUARE ONE
to start again from the beginning because the first plan didn’t work
They didn’t like our idea, so we’re back to square one.
The software crashed, and we lost everything. We had to go back to square one.
If this plan fails, we’ll be back to square one again.
IN HOT WATER
in trouble
He’s in hot water for missing the deadline.
I’ll be in hot water if I don’t finish this on time.
She got in hot water for sharing private data.
HIT THE GROUND RUNNING
to start a new job or project and do well right away
She hit the ground running on her first day.
We need someone who can hit the ground running.
They hit the ground running after the break.
What does "He's in hot water" mean?
Answer and Explanation
What does "He's in hot water" mean?
A) He's in trouble
B) He's relaxed
C) He's very prepared
D) He's taking charge
The correct answer is A.
Review the meaning: in hot water.
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RAISE THE BAR
to set a higher standard or level
She raised the bar for everyone on the team.
We want to raise the bar with better customer service.
CUT CORNERS
to do something quickly and poorly to save time or money
Don’t cut corners on safety.
They cut corners, and now the product has problems.
If we cut corners, we might miss something important.
What does "She has hit the ground running" mean?
Answer and Explanation
If someone says "She has hit the ground running" at work, what does that mean?
A) She missed the deadline
B) She needs more training
C) She has done well from the start
D) She left the team
The correct answer is C.
Review the meaning: hit the ground running.
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Practice the Business English Idioms You Learned
Match the words to complete each idiom, then choose the correct meaning.
A.
back to | loop | a) to think in a creative way |
in the | running | b) in trouble |
think outside | water | c) back at the beginning again because something did not work |
in hot | the box | d) informed and updated about what’s going on |
hit the ground | square one | e) to start a task or job with energy |
B.
go through | corners | f) to set a higher standard or level |
touch | the roof | g) to rise quickly and a lot |
raise | rolling | h) to do something quickly and poorly to save time or money |
get the ball | base | i) to start something |
cut | the bar | j) to talk to someone quickly to check in or give an update |
Scroll down to check your answers.
Practice the Business English Idioms: Take the Quiz
Choose the correct idiom to complete each sentence. Then listen to the sentence.
1.
He’s in _____ after that email got sent to the client by mistake.
A) hot water
B) the loop
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2.
I know we’re on a tight budget, but we can’t afford to _____ on quality.
A) touch base B) cut corners
3.
They rejected the proposal, so we’re basically _____.
A) raising the bar B) back to square one
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4.
Let’s try to ____ here. Our usual approach clearly isn’t working.
A) think outside the box B) go through the roof
5.
She starts Monday, but from what I’ve heard, she’s the type to _____.
A) touch base
B) hit the ground running
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6.
We don’t need all the details yet. I’ll send her a quick email now so we can _____.
A) cut corners B) get the ball rolling
7.
Just keep me _____ if anything changes, all right?
A) the loop B) hot water
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8.
Since the promo went live, our traffic’s _____.
A) gone through the roof B) been back to square one
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9.
The new labels are supposed to come in tonight. Let’s _____ first thing tomorrow.
A) think outside the box
B) touch base
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10.
Allie’s team got all 80 holiday orders packed before noon, and not one had to be redone. They really _____ for the rest of us.
A) raised the bar B) went through the roof
Answer Key
Matching exercise
A.
BACK TO SQUARE ONE - c)
IN THE LOOP - d)
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX - a)
IN HOT WATER - b)
HIT THE GROUND RUNNING - e)
B.
GO THROUGH THE ROOF - g)
TOUCH BASE - j)
RAISE THE BAR - f)
GET THE BALL ROLLING - i)
CUT CORNERS - h)
Quiz
1. He’s in _____ after that email got sent to the client by mistake.
A) hot water
B) the loop
2. Look, I get it — we're on a tight budget, but we can’t afford to _____ on quality.
A) touch base
B) cut corners
3. They rejected the proposal, so we’re basically _____.
A) raising the bar
B) back to square one
4. Let’s try to ____ here. Our usual approach clearly isn’t working.
A) think outside the box
B) go through the roof
5. She starts Monday, but from what I’ve heard, she’s the type to _____.
A) touch base
B) hit the ground running
6. We don’t need all the details yet. I’ll send her a quick email now so we can _____.
A) cut corners
B) get the ball rolling
7. Just keep me _____ if anything changes, all right?
A) the loop
B) hot water
8. Since the promo went live, our traffic’s _____.
A) gone through the roof
B) been back to square one
9. The new labels are supposed to come in tonight. Let’s _____ first thing tomorrow.
A) think outside the box
B) touch base
10. Allie’s team got all 80 holiday orders packed before noon, and not one had to be redone. They really _____ for the rest of us.
A) raised the bar
B) went through the roof
Download the Worksheet: Practice These Idioms in Real Work Dialogues
Want extra practice? Listen, complete the dialogues, and check your answers with the member worksheet.
Practice Real Workplace English Inside Pro Vocabulary Lab
Inside Pro Vocabulary Lab, you practice the phrases in real workplace situations.
You’ll get:
workplace scenarios based on real job conversations
short dialogues and model answers
speaking practice with natural Business English
more situations focused on problems, delays, and giving updates at work
Erin West is a Business English coach, writer, and founder of RealBusinessEnglish.com. She creates practical lessons, quizzes, and learning materials based on real workplace English.
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