%20(1).png)
Common Business English Idioms: How Many Do You Know? (Fun Quiz Inside)
- Erin West
- Jun 27
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 7
Welcome to the Business English Idioms Quiz!
Today’s Focus:
Learning how to use common Business English idioms naturally in conversation.
The right idiom can help you express emotion, describe a situation clearly, and sound more fluent in professional English.
Today’s Challenge:
Imagine this! During a tense meeting, someone questions their manager’s leadership. The manager’s reaction shows just how sensitive the topic is. What’s the right idiom to describe this situation?
When he questioned her leadership, it really ______. She looked furious.
A) hit a nerve
B) struck a match
C) tickled the penguin
D) kicked the bucket
Pick the best answer and test your knowledge of Business English idioms!
Did you get it right?
HIT A NERVE
idiom
to upset someone by saying something that touches a sensitive topic
When he mentioned her past mistakes, it really hit a nerve.
I didn’t mean to hit a nerve, I was just being honest.
That question really hit a nerve, and she got angry.
ADVERTISEMENT
STRIKE A MATCH
phrase, not an idiom
to light a matchstick to make fire
He struck a match to light the candle.
She struck a match and started the fire.
You can’t strike a match in here, it’s dangerous.
TICKLE THE PENGUIN
not an idiom, just a joke =)
KICK THE BUCKET
idiom, informal, humorous
to die
My old car finally kicked the bucket last week.
He joked that he would travel the world before he kicked the bucket.
The old computer kicked the bucket after 10 years.
That's right! The correct answer is A) hit a nerve.
Learn Common Business English Idioms – Take the Quiz
Ready to boost your business English? Learn these common idioms and take a quick quiz to practice!
Please follow the steps below.
Step 1. Choose the correct option to complete each sentence.
ADVERTISEMENT
Step 2. Match each idiom to its correct definition.
in hot water | a) to blame or hurt someone to protect yourself |
rub someone the wrong way | b) to make a bad situation worse |
add fuel to the fire | c) in trouble |
back someone into a corner | d) to put someone in a difficult situation where they have no good choices |
let the dust settle | e) to accept the results of your actions |
throw someone under the bus | f) to say or do something that makes someone feel bad or angry |
face the music | g) to wait until things become calm again |
ADVERTISEMENT
Step 3. Read the idioms and learn what they mean.
IN HOT WATER
idiom
in trouble or in a difficult situation
After leaking confidential information by accident, Jenna was really in hot water with upper management.
RUB SOMEONE THE WRONG WAY
idiom
to say or do something that makes someone feel bad or angry
I didn’t mean to be rude, but my joke rubbed him the wrong way.
ADD FUEL TO THE FIRE
idiom
to make a bad situation worse
When Jenna complained again, it only added fuel to the fire.
BACK SOMEONE INTO A CORNER
idiom
to put someone in a difficult situation where they have no good choices
The client backed us into a corner, so we had to lower the price.
LET THE DUST SETTLE
idiom
to wait until things become calm again
Let’s wait a few days for the dust to settle before deciding.
THROW SOMEONE UNDER THE BUS
idiom
to blame or hurt someone to protect yourself
He threw his teammate under the bus so he wouldn’t be in trouble.
FACE THE MUSIC
idiom
to accept the results of your actions
The project failed, and now we have to face the music.
ANSWER KEY
Step 1.
1. During the meeting, Alex blamed Jen for the delay to protect himself. He really threw her under the bus.
A) train
B) bus
C) car
2. The client was already angry about the price increase. Sending that email now would just add fuel to the fire.
A) fire
B) water
C) air
3. After missing three deadlines, John is really in hot water with his manager.
A) cold
B) hot
C) clear
4. After the client threatened to cancel the deal, we were backed into a corner and had to lower the price.
A) box
B) wall
C) corner
5. The project failed. Now the team has to face the music and explain what went wrong to the client.
A) song
B) concert
C) music
6. I think the way he gave that feedback rubbed her the wrong way. She seemed upset after the meeting.
A) wrong
B) opposite
C) strange
7. Things have been tense since the budget cuts. We should wait a few days for the dust to settle before meeting again.
A) problem
B) dust
C) budget
Step 2.
in hot water c)
rub someone the wrong way f)
add fuel to the fire b)
back someone into a corner d)
let the dust settle g)
throw someone under the bus a)
face the music e)
You're on fire! Click the image below to try another Business English Quiz!
Test your Skills with a Longer Challenge!
Comments