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7 Business English Idioms About Innovation and Creativity (With Easy Definitions & Quiz)
- Erin West
- Jul 18
- 4 min read
Updated: Sep 14
Welcome to the Business English Idioms Quiz!
Creative thinking is an important skill in today’s fast-changing business world. Companies need new ideas to grow, solve problems, and stay ahead of the competition. In this article, you’ll learn seven common Business English idioms that people use when talking about innovation and creative thinking. These phrases will help you sound more confident and natural at work.
Today’s Focus:
Learn Business English idioms for talking about new ideas, creative thinking, and innovation at work.
Today’s Challenge:
Imagine this:
Your company is working on a new toy. The market is full of similar products. To stand out, your team needs a fresh idea. What phrase shows you need to think in a new and creative way?
When designing new products, toy companies have to think ______ the box.
A) in
B) off
C) inside
D) outside
Pick the best answer and see how well you know Business English idioms!
Did you get it right?
Please continue reading to see the definition and examples below.
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Learn More Business English Idioms for Innovation and Creative Thinking
Let's learn more Business English idioms for innovation and creative thinking.
Please follow the steps below.
Step 1. See how well you know Business English idioms — choose the right answer!
1.
When sales dropped, we had to shift _____ and focus more on digital marketing.
A) turns B) gears
C) wheels
D) mirrors
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2.
During the client meeting, she had to think on her _____ when they asked unexpected questions.
A) toes
B) legs
C) feet
D) heels
3.
We’re not here to play it safe. We want to _____ the envelope and do something people will remember.
A) push
B) pull
C) fly
D) test
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4.
Their new AI tool is a _____. It saves hours of manual work.
A) brainstorm
B) smart guess
C) game changer
D) system glitch
5.
Her idea broke the _____ — no one had ever tried that approach before.
A) frame
B) approach
C) blueprint
D) mold
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6.
The company stays ahead of the _____ by investing in new technologies.
A) growth
B) curve
C) chart
D) speed
Step 2. Read the idioms with their meanings and example sentences.
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
to think in a creative way
To solve this problem, we’ll need to think outside the box — the usual methods won’t work here.
Want more vocabulary? Check out our post on 20 Must-Know Business English Phrases for Work.
SHIFT GEARS
to change what you’re doing or how you’re doing it
We were focusing on print ads, but now we’re shifting gears and putting all our efforts into social media marketing.
to quickly say or do the right thing when something surprising or difficult happens
He had to think on his feet when the projector stopped working during the presentation.
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PUSH THE ENVELOPE
to go beyond what is normal, safe, or expected, to try something new and bold
They love to push the envelope when it comes to design and technology.
GAME CHANGER
something that makes a big difference and changes how things are done
Their new app is a game changer for the travel business.
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BREAK THE MOLD
to do something in a new, different way
Her way of training breaks the mold — it’s fun and creative.
AHEAD OF THE CURVE
to do something early, before most other people or companies do it
The company stayed ahead of the curve by using AI before others did.
ANSWER KEY
Today's Challenge:
When designing new products, toy companies have to think outside the box.
The correct answer is D) outside.
Step 1.
1. When sales dropped, we had to shift gears and focus more on digital marketing.
The correct answer is B) gears.
2. During the client meeting, she had to think on her feet when they asked unexpected questions.
The correct answer is C) feet.
3. We’re not here to play it safe. We want to push the envelope and do something people will remember.
The correct answer is A) push.
4. Their new AI tool is a game changer. It saves hours of manual work.
The correct answer is C) game changer.
5 Her idea broke the mold — no one had ever tried that approach before.
The correct answer is D) mold.
6. The company stays ahead of the curve by investing in new technologies.
The correct answer is B) curve.
Download the PDF to practice these idioms
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What does "think outside the box" mean in business?
"Think outside the box" means to look for creative and new solutions instead of using the usual or traditional methods. Companies often use this phrase when they want employees to bring fresh ideas to solve problems.
What is the meaning of "shift gears" in Business English?
"Shift gears" means to quickly change your plan, strategy, or way of working. For example, a team might shift gears from print advertising to digital marketing when sales drop.
When do we say someone can "think on their feet"?
We say someone can "think on their feet" when they react quickly and confidently in an unexpected situation, such as answering tough questions in a client meeting without preparation.
What does it mean to "push the envelope" at work?
"Push the envelope" means to go beyond what is normal, safe, or expected. Companies use this idiom when they want to try bold, creative, or risky ideas.
What is a "game changer" in business?
A "game changer" is something that makes a big difference and changes the way things are done. For example, a new technology that saves hours of work can be called a game changer.
What does it mean to "break the mold"?
To "break the mold" means to do something in a new and different way, instead of following the usual approach. For instance, a company that uses fun and interactive training sessions is breaking the mold compared to traditional training.
What does “ahead of the curve” mean in business English?
"Ahead of the curve" means staying a step ahead of everyone else, usually by picking up new ideas, tools, or strategies early. For example, a company that uses AI before its competitors is ahead of the curve.
This article is brought to you by RealBusinessEnglish.com, where learning Business English is practical, professional, and just the right amount of fun.
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