6 Common Business English Phrases for Problems and Delays at Work

Q: What does “holdup” mean in a business context?

A holdup (also spelled “hold-up”) means a delay—e.g., “There’s a holdup with the payment because the vendor’s banking information changed.” It’s used when something slows down progress or timing.

Q: How is “mix-up” different from “setback”?

A mix-up is a mistake that causes confusion, like substituting one thing for another. A setback is a more serious problem that slows progress—often significant, like budget cuts or planning issues.

Q: Can I use “glitch” and “hiccup” interchangeably?

Not exactly. A glitch refers to a small technical problem, usually in a system or app. A hiccup is a minor, quickly fixed issue—not serious, and resolved with little effort.

Q: What’s a “snag” and how is it used?

A snag is an unexpected problem that temporarily stops or slows progress—for example: “Production hit a snag when a part didn’t arrive on time.”

Q: Why use these specific phrases instead of just saying “problem” or “delay”?

These phrases make your Business English sound more natural, conversational, and professional. They provide nuance and clarity that simple words like “problem” or “delay” often lack.

Erin West
Aug 29
3 min read

Updated: Sep 11

Business English quiz card: Sorry for the blank. Traffic was a nightmare. Options A hold-up B breakup C fallback D shutdown beside a red traffic light

Stuck in Traffic? Learn the Right Phrase!

In everyday Business English, there are short, common phrases that native speakers use all the time. If you don’t know the right one, your English can sound a little unusual—even if all the words are correct. One of those useful Business English phrases comes up often when we’re late because of things outside our control, like traffic.

That’s why in this post, we’re looking at a practical expression you’ll hear often at work and in daily life. Knowing it will help you sound more natural, professional, and easy to understand.

Today’s Challenge

You arrive late for a client meeting after sitting in heavy traffic. You apologize and say:

Sorry for the _____ . Traffic was a nightmare.

A) holdup

B) breakup

C) fallback

D) shutdown

Choose the correct option and listen to the sentence.

Did you get it right?

BREAKUP

noun

the end of a relationship, group, or company

The band’s breakup surprised all their fans.

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FALLBACK

noun

a second plan or option if the first one doesn’t work

If this plan fails, we need a fallback.

SHUTDOWN

noun

the act of stopping work or closing a machine, system, or business

The factory had a temporary shutdown last month.

HOLDUP (also "hold-up")

noun

a delay

There was a holdup at the airport, so the flight left late.

That's right! The correct answer is A) hold-up.

Take the Quiz and Learn More Business English Phrases for Problems and Delays at Work

Business professional working at a computer in a modern office, focused on tasks. Image used for a Business English quiz about problems and delays at work.

At work, problems and delays happen all the time — traffic, technical issues, or last-minute changes. Native speakers use special phrases to talk about these situations.

Take the quiz and learn more Business English phrases for problems and delays at work!

Don’t just learn phrases, start using them! Click here to get your PDF!

Infographic with 6 common Business English phrases for problems and delays at work, including holdup, mix-up, setback, glitch, hiccup, and snag, with short definitions and workplace examples

ANSWER KEY - QUIZ

1. There was a mix-up with the delivery address.

MIX-UP

noun

a mistake that causes confusion

2. The budget cuts were a major setback for the project.

SETBACK

noun

a serious problem that slows progress

3. There was a glitch in the system during the call.

GLITCH

noun

a small, brief technical problem in a computer, app, or system

4. There was a small hiccup with the payment, but it’s fixed now.

HICCUP

noun

a small problem that is fixed quickly

5. Production hit a snag when a part didn’t arrive on time.

SNAG

noun

an unexpected problem that stops or slows progress

6. There’s a holdup with the payment because the vendor’s banking information changed.

HOLDUP

noun

a delay

Great job! Click below to try another Business English Collocations Quiz.

Common Business English Collocations, guide for Business English learners and ESL students, PDF and quiz included

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “holdup” mean in a business context?

A holdup (also spelled "hold-up") means a delay.

Example: There’s a holdup with the payment because the vendor’s banking information changed.

It’s commonly used when something slows down progress or timing.

How is “mix-up” different from “setback”?

A mix-up is a mistake that causes confusion, like mixing up two similar things. A setback, on the other hand, is a serious problem that slows progress—typically something more impactful, like budget cuts or a project delay.

Can I use “glitch” and “hiccup” interchangeably?

Not quite!

A glitch refers to a small technical problem, often in a system, computer, or app.
A hiccup is a small, easily fixed problem, used when something minor goes wrong but is quickly resolved.

What’s a “snag” and how is it used?

A snag is an unexpected problem that temporarily stops or slows progress.

Example: Production hit a snag when a part didn’t arrive on time.

Why use these specific phrases instead of just saying “problem” or “delay”?

These phrases add a natural, conversational tone to your Business English. They make your speech sound more fluid and native-like, helping you to communicate about issues more naturally and contextually.

This article is brought to you by RealBusinessEnglish.com, where learning Business English is practical, professional, and just the right amount of fun.