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Common Business English Idioms for Meetings, Negotiations, and Professional Communication
- Erin West
- Apr 29, 2025
- 7 min read
Updated: Jan 16
In this article:
Many learners know a lot of words, but still feel unsure in meetings and negotiations. When problems come up, it’s hard to explain the situation in a calm and professional way. In this article, you’ll learn seven common Business English idioms that professionals use at work. These idioms help you talk about problems, decisions, and agreements more naturally. They are real phrases you hear in meetings and project updates, not textbook English. There’s also a short challenge later to help you practice choosing what sounds most natural.
Today’s Challenge:
You’re in the middle of a project, and time is tight.
The client is waiting. Your team promised results this week.
Everything looks fine at first.
Then something goes wrong. Right before the deadline, a technical problem shows up.
No one expected it. It can’t be ignored. Fixing it will take more time.
The team joins a quick call. No one talks much. Everyone feels the pressure. The client wants an answer.
The project manager takes a breath and says:
We hit a _____, so the project was delayed.
A) snag
B) guideline
C) concern
D) requirement
Which option would sound natural to your manager?
Let's break it down
SNAG
noun
a small problem or difficulty that stops or slows something
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HIT A SNAG
idiom
to suddenly have a small problem that stops or delays your progress
We were building the website, but we hit a snag when the server crashed.
Our plan to open a new store hit a snag because of the permit paperwork.
Everything was going fine until we hit a snag with the delivery schedule.
Why "hit a snag" works
Hit a snag is neutral–informal. It is common in spoken Business English, in meetings and project updates. Professionals use it to explain an unexpected problem. It is appropriate for meetings and internal updates. It is not common in formal written reports or legal documents.
GUIDELINE
noun
a general rule or piece of advice that helps people know how to do something
Please follow the company guidelines when working with clients.
These are just guidelines, not strict rules.
The team created guidelines for remote work.
Why it doesn’t work here
A guideline does not stop a project. It does not cause delays. It’s advice, not a problem.
CONCERN
noun
a worry or issue that makes someone feel uneasy or unsure
I have a concern about the project timeline.
Cost is our main concern right now.
She raised a concern during the meeting.
Why it doesn’t work here
Concern doesn’t work here. You don’t “hit” a concern. In meetings, people say “raise a concern” or “have a concern,” not “hit” one.
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REQUIREMENT
noun
something that is needed or must be done before something can happen
Experience with Excel is a job requirement.
Security is a key requirement for this system.
The client added a new requirement to the project.
Why it doesn’t work here
You don’t hit a requirement. A requirement is something planned or expected from the start. It is not a problem that suddenly appears. When a project is delayed, native speakers say they hit a snag or ran into a problem.
That's right! The correct answer is A) snag.
Other Common Business English Idioms You’ll Hear at Work
You’ve just seen how professionals use hit a snag to explain delays at work. Below are a few more common Business English idioms you’ll hear in meetings, negotiations, and everyday workplace conversations. These expressions help you talk about decisions, compromises, and control in a natural, professional way.
GET ON THE SAME PAGE
idiom
to reach the same understanding or agreement about something
Let’s get on the same page about the timeline before we continue.
The meeting helped everyone get on the same page.
When to use it
Use this idiom when people don’t fully agree yet and you want everyone to understand the same thing. It’s common in meetings and team discussions and sounds cooperative and professional.
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MEET HALFWAY
idiom
to compromise so that both sides give up something
We couldn’t agree on the budget, so we met halfway.
They met halfway to keep the deal moving.
When to use it
You’ll hear this idiom when two sides disagree but both want to find a middle ground. It’s often used in negotiations, especially when the goal is to keep the discussion constructive and move forward.
SWEETEN THE DEAL
idiom
to add something extra to make an offer more attractive
We were close to an agreement, so they sweetened the deal with a small discount.
The client wasn’t sure at first, so we had to sweeten the deal to move things forward.
When to use it
Professionals use this idiom when a deal is almost done, but one side needs a bit more to agree. It’s common in business talks and sounds practical, not aggressive.
DRAW THE LINE
idiom
to set a clear limit and say that something is not acceptable
We need to draw the line on last-minute changes.
She drew the line when the client asked for unpaid work.
When to use it
Use this idiom when you need to say no and set a clear limit. It’s often used to protect time, budget, or workload, and it sounds firm but still professional.
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PLAY HARDBALL
idiom
to negotiate in a very tough and uncompromising way
The supplier is playing hardball on pricing.
They played hardball to get better terms.
When to use it
People use this idiom to describe a very firm negotiation style, usually when one side insists on their terms. It’s often used when talking about negotiations rather than directly in them, because the tone is strong and confrontational.
CALL THE SHOTS
idiom
to be the person or group with the power to make final decisions
In this project, the client calls the shots.
She calls the shots when it comes to budget decisions.
When to use it
We use this idiom when talking about authority or control in a team or organization. It’s common in spoken Business English and sounds neutral and natural in workplace conversations.
Practice the Business English Idioms You've Just Learned
Now it’s time to practice the Business English idioms you’ve just learned. Read each sentence carefully and choose the option that sounds most natural in a real work situation. Think about how a colleague or manager would actually say it. Then click Check to see the answers and listen to the sentences.
1.
Two partners are discussing how to close a deal with a client.
They liked the proposal, but they’re still hesitating. We might need to sweeten the _____. Maybe offer them extended support or a small discount?
A) shots
B) page
C) line
D) deal
CHECK HERE
The correct answer is D) deal. Review the definition.
They liked the proposal, but they’re still hesitating. We might need to sweeten the deal. Maybe offer them extended support or a small discount?
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2.
Two partners are discussing a tough price negotiation with a client.
We’ve tried to be flexible, but they won’t lower the price. Honestly, it feels like they’re playing _____ right now.
A) halfway
B) hardball
C) snag
D) page
CHECK HERE
The correct answer is B) hardball.
Review the definition.
We’ve tried to be flexible, but they won’t lower the price. Honestly, it feels like they’re playing hardball right now.
3.
The project has already started, but the client and the team seem to have different expectations about what’s included. The emails aren’t clearing things up.
We’ve been going back and forth over email, and there’s some confusion. We need to get on the same _____ about what’s included in the proposal.
A) line
B) page
C) deal
D) snag
CHECK HERE
The correct answer is B) page.
Review the definition.
We’ve been going back and forth over email, and there’s some confusion. We need to get on the same page about what’s included in the proposal.
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4.
The consulting team is advising a client on a product launch, but the client has the final say on every decision.
We can share our thoughts, but it’s not up to us. At the end of the day, the client calls the _____ here.
A) snag
B) deal
C) halfway
D) shots
CHECK HERE
The correct answer is D) shots.
Review the definition.
We can share our thoughts, but it’s not up to us. At the end of the day, the client calls the shots here.
More on this topic: 7 Business English Idioms About Innovation and Creativity (With Easy Definitions & Quiz) Common Business English Idioms: How Many Do You Know? Essential Business English Idioms for Negotiations and Deadlines (+ Quiz) Business English Idioms and Expressions for Hard Work, Overtime, and Working Late
5.
The client keeps asking for small “extras” after the project has already started, even though they weren’t part of the original agreement.
I get what they’re asking for, but we’re already stretched pretty thin. At some point, we have to draw the _____ and stick to what we agreed on.
A) page
B) hardball
C) line
D) shots
CHECK HERE
The correct answer is C) line.
Review the definition.
I get what they’re asking for, but we’re already stretched pretty thin. At some point, we have to draw the line and stick to what we agreed on.
6.
Two partners are stuck on pricing during a negotiation, and the discussion has started to go in circles.
I know we’re not seeing this the same way, and I don’t want things to stall. Maybe we can meet _____. We could adjust the numbers, for example.
A) halfway
B) shots
C) hardball
D) line
CHECK HERE
The correct answer is A) halfway.
Review the definition.
I know we’re not seeing this the same way, and I don’t want things to stall. Maybe we can meet halfway. We could adjust the numbers, for example.
These idioms are common in real meetings and negotiations, not just in textbooks.
When something goes wrong, when people disagree, or when decisions need to be made, these phrases help you explain the situation clearly and professionally. Try to notice them in emails, calls, or meetings this week — and practice using just one or two at a time. That’s how they start to feel natural.
Sign in to download the PDF: Practice Business English Idioms (Audio Available)
Ready for more practice? Click the image below to try another Business English Quiz!
Erin West is a Business English educator, writer, and founder of RealBusinessEnglish.com. She creates practical lessons, quizzes, and learning materials that help professionals use clear, natural, and confident English at work — with just the right amount of fun.
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