Work Idioms
English idioms for meetings, projects, deadlines, leadership, pressure, and workplace conversation.
Browse work idioms
Break the ice
To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.
Cut to the chase
Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.
The ball is in your court
It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.
Throw in the towel
To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.
Go the extra mile
Put in more effort than is required.
Burn the midnight oil
Work late into the night.
Green thumb
A talent for gardening or making plants thrive.
Call it a day
Decide to stop doing something, typically work, for the rest of the day.
Ace in the hole
A hidden advantage kept in reserve until it's needed.
Reading the tea leaves
Trying to predict the future based on subtle signs.
A blessing in disguise
Something that initially seems bad but turns out to be positive.
A shot in the arm
Something that boosts morale or energy.
All in a day’s work
Refers to something ordinary, even if demanding.
Back to the drawing board
Return to planning stage after a failure.
Best of both worlds
Enjoying two desirable but usually incompatible things.
Blow off steam
Release pent-up energy or frustration.
Break even
Neither lose nor profit; income equals expenses.
By the skin of your teeth
Barely or narrowly escaping failure.
Calm before the storm
A peaceful period preceding chaos.
Crack the whip
Use authority to ensure discipline or faster work.
Cut corners
To save time, money, or effort by skipping proper steps, often reducing quality or safety.
Eat humble pie
Admit error and apologize.
Ear to the ground
Be attentive to warnings and rumors.
Get two birds with one stone
Achieve two things with one effort.
Hit the ground running
Start with immediate energy and efficiency.
Hit the nail on the head
To say or identify something exactly right, with no wasted guessing.
In hot water
In trouble.
Jump-start
Quickly kick off something, often a stalled effort.
Keep your eye on the ball
Stay focused on the goal.
Raise the bar
Elevate standards or expectations.
Against the clock
Racing to finish before time runs out.
Ahead of the curve
More advanced or innovative than others.
All in
Fully committed to an action.
By and large
Generally speaking.
Get cold feet
To become nervous or afraid just before doing something important.
Hang in there
Persevere through tough times.
Hang by a thread
Be in a precarious situation.
Head in the clouds
Daydreaming or unrealistic.
Hear it on the grapevine
Learn news through unofficial channels.
Learn the ropes
Master the basics of a job.
Move the needle
Make measurable progress.
Out of the loop
Not informed of recent updates.
Push the envelope
Challenge limits or experiment beyond norms.
Read the room
Perceive the atmosphere or mood.
Keep your nose to the grindstone
Work diligently without distraction.
Let the dust settle
Wait for confusion or commotion to calm before acting.
Long in the tooth
Getting old.
Make waves
Cause disturbance or draw attention by challenging norms.
Play devil's advocate
Argue an opposing view for debate purposes.
Plain as day
Very obvious.
Sink or swim
Succeed or fail without help.
Take one for the team
Make a sacrifice for the group's benefit.
The sky is the limit
There are no bounds on what can be done.
Touch base
Briefly check in or reconnect.
Up in the air
Unsettled or undecided.
With flying colors
With great success.
Break new ground
Do something innovative.
Butter up
Flatter someone to gain favor.
Face the music
Accept unpleasant consequences.
Ace up your sleeve
A secret advantage saved for a decisive moment.
Bed of roses
An easy, comfortable situation.
Clear the air
Resolve tension through open discussion.
Cost an arm and a leg
To be extremely expensive or feel painfully costly.
Cross that bridge when you come to it
Deal with problems as they appear.
Fair-weather friend
Someone supportive only in good times.
Fly-by-night
Unreliable, operating only briefly and often dishonestly.
Get the ball rolling
Start a project or process.
In over your head
Deal with something beyond your competence.
Loose cannon
An unpredictable person who might cause damage.
Not cut out for it
Unsuitable for a role or job.
On the fly
While moving or in real time.
Out of your depth
Handling something beyond your skills.