touch base/ˈtʌtʃ beɪs/verbTo contact a colleague briefly so both sides stay updated.
in the pipeline/ˌɪn ðə ˈpaɪˌplaɪn/adjBeing prepared now and expected to arrive fairly soon.
get the ball rolling/ˌɡet ðə ˈbɔːl ˌrəʊlɪŋ/verbTo start a process so that other people can join in.
think outside the box/ˌθɪŋk ˌaʊtˌsaɪd ðə ˈbɒks/verbTo look for fresh, unusual ideas instead of the obvious ones.
cut corners/ˌkʌt ˈkɔːnəz/verbTo save time or money by skipping steps and lowering quality.
back to the drawing board/ˌbæk tə ðə ˈdrɔːɪŋ bɔːd/advStarting to plan again because the first attempt did not work.
on the back burner/ˌɒn ðə ˈbæk ˌbɜːnə/adjLeft aside for now because other things matter more.
in the loop/ˌɪn ðə ˈluːp/adjKept informed about news that a group shares regularly.
ballpark figure/ˈbɔːlˌpɑːk ˌfɪɡjə/nounA rough number that is close enough for early discussion.
bottom line/ˈbɒtəm laɪn/nounThe final result, or the single point that matters most.
red tape/ˈred teɪp/nounOfficial rules and forms so heavy that simple things move slowly.
learning curve/ˈlɜːnɪŋ kɜːv/nounHow quickly a person masters a new skill or system.
corner the market/ˌkɔːnə ðə ˈmɑːkət/verbTo gain so much control that rivals can barely sell anything.
go the extra mile/ˌɡəʊ ðə ˌekstrə ˈmaɪl/verbTo do noticeably more than your duty asks of you.
raise the bar/ˌreɪz ðə ˈbɑː/verbTo set a higher standard so everyone must perform better.
up to speed/ˌʌp tə ˈspiːd/adjKnowing everything you need and working at the required level.
hit the ground running/ˌhɪt ðə ˌɡraʊnd ˈrʌnɪŋ/verbTo begin a new job at full pace from the first day.
across the board/əˌkrɒs ðə ˈbɔːd/advAffecting every person, group or item in exactly the same way.
by the book/ˌbaɪ ðə ˈbʊk/advFollowing the official rules exactly, with no shortcuts allowed.
in the black/ˌɪn ðə ˈblæk/adjEarning more than you spend, so the business makes profit.
in the red/ˌɪn ðə ˈred/adjSpending more than you earn, so the account shows a loss.
ahead of schedule/əˌhed əv ˈʃedjuːl/advFinished earlier than the date originally planned.
behind schedule/bɪˌhaɪnd ˈʃedjuːl/advLater than the plan says, so the work is delayed.
ahead of the curve/əˌhed əv ðə ˈkɜːv/adjDoing something new before most rivals even notice the trend.
on the same wavelength/ˌɒn ðə ˌseɪm ˈweɪvˌleŋθ/adjUnderstanding each other so easily that few words are needed.

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Unit 2 · Workplace idioms · part 2

25 слов

from scratch/frəm ˈskrætʃ/advStarting with nothing ready, using no earlier work or parts.
on the fly/ˌɒn ðə ˈflaɪ/advDone quickly during another activity, without stopping to prepare.
in the works/ˌɪn ðə ˈwɜːks/adjBeing developed right now, though nobody has announced it publicly.
break even/ˌbreɪk ˈiːvɪn/verbTo earn exactly what you spent, with neither profit nor loss.
bring to the table/ˌbrɪŋ tə ðə ˈteɪbəl/verbTo offer useful skills or ideas that help a group succeed.
crunch the numbers/ˌkrʌntʃ ðə ˈnʌmbəz/verbTo work through figures carefully to see what they really show.
move the needle/ˌmuːv ðə ˈniːdəl/verbTo make a change large enough for people to actually notice.
circle back/ˌsɜːkəl ˈbæk/verbTo return to a topic later, once other matters are settled.
follow up/ˌfɒləʊ ˈʌp/verbTo contact someone again later to check that something happened.
take the lead/ˌteɪk ðə ˈled/verbTo start guiding a group and accept responsibility for results.
take the initiative/ˌteɪk ðə ɪˈnɪʃətɪv/verbTo act first, without waiting for anyone to tell you.
get down to business/ˌɡet ˌdaʊn tə ˈbɪznəs/verbTo stop chatting and start dealing with the serious matters.
on hold/ˌɒn ˈhəʊld/adjPaused for now, waiting until someone decides what happens next.
on behalf of/ˌɒn bɪˈhæf əv/prepActing for someone else, as their official representative.
at your earliest convenience/ət ˌjɔːr ˌɜːliəst kənˈviːnjəns/advA polite way of asking someone to reply as soon as possible.
in the meantime/ˌɪn ðə ˈmiːnˌtaɪm/advDuring the waiting period before an expected event happens.
out of stock/ˌaʊt əv ˈstɒk/adjNot available to buy right now because supplies have run out.
meet the deadline/ˌmiːt ðə ˈdedˌlaɪn/verbTo finish the work before the agreed date and time arrive.
wrap up/ˌræp ˈʌp/verbTo bring a meeting or task to a tidy, final close.
iron out/ˌaɪən ˈaʊt/verbTo settle small problems so a plan can run smoothly.
call off/ˌkɔːl ˈɒf/verbTo cancel an event or activity that people had already planned.
take over/ˌteɪk ˈəʊvə/verbTo start controlling a job or company that someone else had.
lay off/ˌleɪ ˈɒf/verbTo end someone's job because the company needs fewer workers.
step down/ˌstep ˈdaʊn/verbTo leave an important position, usually by your own choice.
sign off on/ˌsaɪn ˈɒf ɒn/verbTo give official approval so a plan or payment can proceed.

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Unit 3 · Workplace idioms · part 3

25 слов

tighten the belt/ˌtaɪtən ðə ˈbelt/verbTo spend much less money because income has dropped.
the big picture/ðə ˌbɪɡ ˈpɪktʃə/nounThe whole situation seen as one, instead of small separate details.
a game changer/ə ˈɡeɪm ˌtʃeɪndʒə/nounSomething new that completely changes how a market or job works.
a done deal/ə ˌdʌn ˈdiːl/nounAn agreement that is already settled and cannot be changed now.
a level playing field/ə ˌlevəl ˌpleɪɪŋ ˈfiːld/nounFair conditions in which every competitor has the same chance.
an uphill battle/ˌæn əpˈhɪl ˌbætəl/nounA struggle that stays hard the whole way through.
a sticking point/ə ˈstɪkɪŋ pɔɪnt/nounThe one issue that keeps two sides from reaching agreement.
a rough patch/ə ˌrʌf ˈpætʃ/nounA short time when things go badly before improving again.
a rule of thumb/ə ˌruːl əv ˈθʌm/nounA rough practical guide that works well enough most of the time.
the nuts and bolts/ðə ˌnʌts ˌənd ˈbəʊlts/nounThe basic practical details you must know to do something.
the ins and outs/ðə ˌɪnz ˌənd ˈaʊts/nounEvery detail of how a system or process actually works.
food for thought/ˌfuːd fə ˈθɔːt/nounAn idea interesting enough that you keep considering it afterwards.
common ground/ˈkɒmən ɡraʊnd/nounOpinions or interests that two disagreeing sides both accept.
a foot in the door/ə ˌfʊt ˌɪn ðə ˈdɔː/nounA small first chance that may lead to bigger opportunities later.
a stepping stone/ə ˈstepɪŋ stəʊn/nounA small early step that leads towards a much bigger goal.
word of mouth/ˌwɜːd əv ˈmaʊθ/nounNews that spreads because people tell friends, not through advertising.
off the record/ˌɒf ðə rəˈkɔːd/advSaid privately, so nobody may quote or publish it later.
behind the scenes/bɪˌhaɪnd ðə ˈsiːnz/advHappening quietly away from public view, where nobody watches.
at the helm/ət ðə ˈhelm/advIn charge of an organisation and steering its main decisions.
hands on/ˌhændz ˈɒn/adjInvolving direct practical work rather than only giving instructions.
up in the air/ˌʌp ˌɪn ðə ˈeə/adjStill undecided, so nobody knows what will finally happen.
on the rise/ˌɒn ðə ˈraɪz/adjIncreasing steadily over time, month after month.
in demand/ˌɪn dɪˈmænd/adjWanted by many customers or employers at the same time.
in short supply/ˌɪn ˈʃɔːt səˌplaɪ/adjHard to obtain because very little of it exists right now.
under budget/ˌʌndə ˈbʌdʒɪt/advCosting less money than the amount originally planned for it.

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Unit 4 · Workplace idioms · part 4

25 слов

over budget/ˌəʊvə ˈbʌdʒɪt/advCosting more money than the amount originally planned for it.
cut a deal/ˌkʌt ə ˈdiːl/verbTo reach an agreement with someone after bargaining about terms.
close a deal/ˌkləʊs ə ˈdiːl/verbTo finish negotiating and make an agreement official at last.
seal the deal/ˌsiːl ðə ˈdiːl/verbTo do the last thing needed so an agreement becomes certain.
drive a hard bargain/ˌdraɪv ə ˌhɑːd ˈbɑːɡən/verbTo negotiate firmly and refuse to accept poor terms.
meet halfway/ˌmiːt ˌhɑːfˈweɪ/verbTo compromise so each side gives up part of its demands.
on good terms/ˌɒn ˈɡʊd tɜːmz/adjHaving a friendly relationship, even after working apart.
in good standing/ˌɪn ˈɡʊd ˌstændɪŋ/adjOfficially accepted and respected, with no unpaid fees or complaints.
pass the buck/ˌpɑːs ðə ˈbʌk/verbTo push responsibility onto another person instead of accepting it.
drop the ball/ˌdrɒp ðə ˈbɔːl/verbTo fail at a duty through carelessness, letting other people down.
pick up the slack/ˌpɪk ˌʌp ðə ˈslæk/verbTo take on extra work that another person failed to finish.
pull my weight/ˌpʊl ˌmaɪ ˈweɪt/verbTo do your fair share of a job that a group shares.
go above and beyond/ˌɡəʊ əˌbʌv ˌənd bɪˈɒnd/verbTo do far more than your duty, surprising everyone with effort.
burn out/ˌbɜːn ˈaʊt/verbTo become so exhausted by long work that you cannot continue.
burn the candle at both ends/ˌbɜːn ðə ˌkændəl ət ˌbəʊθ ˈendz/verbTo work very early and very late, leaving no time to rest.
wear many hats/ˌweə ˌmeni ˈhæts/verbTo handle several very different roles inside one small organisation.
climb the corporate ladder/ˌklaɪm ðə ˌkɔːpərət ˈlædə/verbTo rise from lower to higher job levels inside a company.
the rank and file/ðə ˌræŋk ˌənd ˈfaɪl/nounThe ordinary members of a group, not the leaders or officers.
team player/ˈtiːm ˌpleɪə/nounSomeone who works well with others and shares credit willingly.
bend the rules/ˌbend ðə ˈruːlz/verbTo allow a small exception to regulations, without breaking them fully.
play hardball/ˌpleɪ ˈhɑːdˌbɔːl/verbTo negotiate very aggressively and refuse to give anything away.
stand my ground/ˌstænd ˌmaɪ ˈɡraʊnd/verbTo refuse to change your position even when others push hard.
in black and white/ˌɪn ˌblæk ˌənd ˈwaɪt/advWritten down clearly, so nobody can argue about what was agreed.
get the green light/ˌɡet ðə ˈɡriːn laɪt/verbTo receive official permission so that work can finally begin.
jump through hoops/ˌdʒʌmp ˌθruː ˈhuːps/verbTo complete many annoying formal steps before anyone approves something.

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Unit 5 · Workplace idioms · part 5

25 слов

hit a snag/ˌhɪt ə ˈsnæɡ/verbTo meet an unexpected small problem that slows the work down.
on track/ˌɒn ˈtræk/adjProgressing exactly as planned, so the target still looks reachable.
in full swing/ˌɪn ˌfʊl ˈswɪŋ/adjAt the busiest, most active stage, with everything already running.
at stake/ət ˈsteɪk/adjAble to be won or lost, so the outcome really matters.
at the end of the day/ət ðə ˌend əv ðə ˈdeɪ/advUsed before stating the point that matters most, once all considered.
in a timely manner/ˌɪn ə ˈtaɪmli ˌmænə/advSoon enough that the result is still useful to everyone involved.
state of the art/ˌsteɪt əv ðə ˈɑːt/adjUsing the newest technology available, better than anything older.
cutting edge/ˈkʌtɪŋ edʒ/nounThe most advanced position in a field, ahead of everybody else.
run of the mill/ˌrʌn əv ðə ˈmɪl/adjCompletely ordinary, with nothing special to make it stand out.
par for the course/ˌpɑː fə ðə ˈkɔːs/nounExactly what you would normally expect, even if unwelcome.
bang for your buck/ˌbæŋ fə ˌjɔː ˈbʌk/nounGood value received in return for the money that was spent.
take stock/ˌteɪk ˈstɒk/verbTo pause and think carefully about a situation before deciding.
take a back seat/ˌteɪk ə ˈbæk siːt/verbTo choose a less active role and let others lead instead.
on the horizon/ˌɒn ðə həˈraɪzən/adjLikely to happen soon, already visible as a coming development.
around the clock/əˌraʊnd ðə ˈklɒk/advContinuing without stopping through both day and night.
nine to five/ˌnaɪn tə ˈfaɪv/nounRegular daytime office hours, or an ordinary routine office job.
make headway/ˌmeɪk ˈheˌdweɪ/verbTo achieve clear progress on something that was moving slowly.
gain traction/ˌɡeɪn ˈtrækʃən/verbTo begin attracting real support after a slow, quiet start.
hold water/ˈhəʊld ˌwɔːtə/verbTo seem valid and survive careful checking by other people.
set the tone/ˌset ðə ˈtəʊn/verbTo create the mood or standard that everyone else then follows.
break new ground/ˌbreɪk ˌnjuː ˈɡraʊnd/verbTo do something innovative that nobody has managed before.
run a tight ship/ˌrʌn ə ˌtaɪt ˈʃɪp/verbTo manage a team strictly, so everything stays organised and efficient.
a tall order/ə ˈtɔːl ˌɔːdə/nounA request so difficult that meeting it seems almost impossible.
a long shot/ə ˌlɒŋ ˈʃɒt/nounAn attempt that will probably fail, but is still worth trying.
the writing on the wall/ðə ˌraɪtɪŋ ˌɒn ðə ˈwɔːl/nounClear signs that something is going to fail or end soon.

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Unit 6 · Workplace idioms · part 6

25 слов

the elephant in the room/ðə ˌeləfənt ˌɪn ðə ˈruːm/nounAn obvious problem that everybody notices but nobody wants to mention.
low hanging fruit/ˌləʊ ˌhæŋɪŋ ˈfruːt/nounThe easiest tasks that give quick results with very little effort.
sign on the dotted line/ˌsaɪn ˌɒn ðə ˈdɒtɪd laɪn/verbTo commit formally by putting your signature on a legal document.
rubber stamp/ˈrʌbə stæmp/verbTo approve something automatically, without examining it properly at all.
blue chip/ˈbluː tʃɪp/adjDescribing a large, reliable company whose shares people consider safe.
white collar/ˈwaɪt ˌkɒlə/adjRelating to office jobs done at a desk, not physical labour.
blue collar/ˈbluː ˌkɒlə/adjRelating to manual or factory jobs that need physical skill.
glass ceiling/ˈɡlɑːs ˌsiːlɪŋ/nounAn unspoken barrier that stops certain groups reaching senior positions.
golden handshake/ˌɡəʊldən ˈhændˌʃeɪk/nounA large sum paid to someone who is leaving a senior job.
brain drain/ˈbreɪn dreɪn/nounThe loss of skilled workers who move abroad for better opportunities.
trial and error/ˌtraɪəl ˌənd ˈerə/nounLearning by testing repeatedly and correcting whatever goes wrong.
give and take/ˌɡɪv ˌənd ˈteɪk/nounMutual compromise where each side agrees to accept something less.
supply and demand/səˌplaɪ ən dɪˈmɑːnd/nounThe balance between how much exists and how much people want.
terms and conditions/ˌtɜːmz ˌənd kənˈdɪʃənz/nounThe official rules that both sides accept when signing an agreement.
pros and cons/ˌprəʊz ˌənd ˈkɒnz/nounThe good points and bad points you compare before deciding.
value for money/ˌvæljuː fə ˈmʌni/nounWorth the price paid, because quality matches or beats the cost.
break the mold/ˌbreɪk ðə ˈməʊld/verbTo stop following the usual pattern and try something completely fresh.
think on my feet/ˌθɪŋk ˌɒn ˌmaɪ ˈfiːt/verbTo react and decide quickly when a surprise happens under pressure.
keep my head above water/ˌkiːp ˌmaɪ ˈhed əˌbʌv ˌwɔːtə/verbTo just manage to survive when work or debts nearly overwhelm you.
weather the storm/ˌweðə ðə ˈstɔːm/verbTo survive a very difficult period without giving up or collapsing.
bounce back/ˌbaʊns ˈbæk/verbTo recover quickly and return to normal after a setback.
get off the ground/ˌɡet ˌɒf ðə ˈɡraʊnd/verbTo start successfully, after a slow or difficult beginning.
sink or swim/ˌsɪŋk ˌɔː ˈswɪm/verbSucceed by your own effort or fail, because nobody will help.
make or break/ˌmeɪk ˌɔː ˈbreɪk/verbTo decide whether something succeeds completely or fails completely.
under the radar/ˌʌndə ðə ˈreɪˌdɑː/advUnnoticed by the people who would normally spot or control it.

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