This lesson trains 50 C2 idioms on Business. Idioms signal fluency when used naturally — forcing them into every sentence hurts your score. Practise in the runner first, then revisit every expression in the glossary. Review mode after completion shows how each idiom fits its context.
Dog eat dog
A situation of fierce competition where people are ruthless toward each other.
The advertising industry was highly competitive and sometimes cutthroat.
Open the door to
To make something possible or create an opportunity.
The new trade agreement created many possibilities for smaller companies.
As clear as crystal
Extremely clear and easy to understand.
The instructions were written in simple language with no ambiguity.
Hammer out an agreement
To negotiate and reach a deal through persistent discussion.
After weeks of intense talks, the two companies finally reached a compromise on the merger terms.
Go off the rails
To start behaving in a strange or unacceptable way.
The project lost direction and the team stopped following the original plan.
That's about the size of it!
A way of confirming that a summary or description of a situation is accurate.
After reviewing the budget cuts and staff reductions, the manager summed up the company's current challenges.
The tip of the iceberg
A small visible part of a much larger problem.
The reported cases of corruption were only a small part of the whole situation.
Fall short of
To fail to reach a required standard.
The results did not meet the targets set by the board.
Be falling apart at the seams
To be in a state of complete disorganization or failure.
The once-successful startup was losing clients, money, and staff rapidly.
Hit and miss
Unreliable or inconsistent.
The new delivery service was sometimes fast and sometimes very late.
The name of the game
The most important aspect of a situation.
In this industry speed is the most important factor.
A half-baked scheme
A plan that has not been properly thought out.
The proposal to change the entire system without any research was unrealistic.
Grunt work
The hard, boring, and basic part of a job.
The junior staff had to do all the routine data entry while the managers made the decisions.
Rock bottom
The lowest possible level.
After months of losses, the company's finances had reached the lowest point in its history.
Be given your marching orders
To be told to leave a job or place.
After the argument the employee was told to clear his desk.
Marathon talks
Very long negotiations or discussions.
The peace negotiations lasted for weeks without a break.
Cheap and cheerful
Inexpensive but attractive and pleasant.
The hotel was not luxurious but offered good value and a friendly atmosphere.
Be given the sack
To be dismissed from a job.
After repeated lateness the worker was told to leave.
Laissez-faire
A policy of not interfering in business or other activities.
The government decided not to regulate the new technology sector.
A game plan
A detailed strategy for achieving success.
The team prepared a careful approach for the important negotiation.
Be fresh out of sth
To have just finished or used up the last of something.
The shop had no more milk left on the shelves.
A ballpark figure
An approximate number or estimate.
The accountant gave a rough calculation of the total project cost.
Dead in the water
Completely stopped and with no chance of progress.
The project lost all funding and could not continue.
Give the green light
To give permission to start something.
The board finally approved the new project.
Drive a hard bargain
To negotiate very firmly and insist on the best possible terms.
The supplier refused to lower the price even slightly despite long discussions.
Join forces with
To work together with someone to achieve a common goal.
The two small companies decided to combine their resources.
Crystal clear
Completely clear and easy to understand.
After the manager's detailed presentation, everyone knew exactly what to do.
Bring to the table
To offer something useful or valuable in a discussion or negotiation.
The new partner offered extensive international contacts and funding.
In the final analysis
After considering all the facts and details carefully.
Looking at all the data from the past five years, the company decided to change strategy.
Dead wood
Useless or ineffective people or things in an organization.
The company needed to remove the unproductive parts of the team.
All told
When everything is considered or counted.
After adding up all expenses and revenues, the project showed a small profit.
Put our heads together
To think about a problem together with other people.
The team sat down to find a solution to the technical issue.
A fait accompli
Something that has already been done and cannot be changed.
The board had already approved the merger before consulting the staff.
If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!
If you cannot defeat your opponents, you should cooperate with them.
The small company could not compete with the giant corporation, so it decided to form a partnership.
Put the brakes on
To slow down or stop an activity.
The sudden rise in costs forced the company to reduce its expansion plans.
All hands on deck
Everyone must help immediately.
When the storm hit the ship, every sailor was needed to secure the sails.
Joined-up thinking
Considering a problem in a complete and logical way instead of in separate parts.
The government needed a comprehensive approach to solve the housing crisis.
Fringe benefits
Extra advantages or services provided in addition to normal pay.
The job offered health insurance, a company car, and free gym membership.
Black and white
Clear and simple with no room for doubt or argument.
The contract terms left no room for interpretation.
Sing from the same hymn sheet
To have the same ideas or goals as someone else.
The whole team was in agreement about the new strategy.
First come, first served
People will be dealt with in the order they arrive.
Tickets for the concert were limited, so early arrival was essential.
Shoot sky-high
To increase or rise very suddenly and dramatically.
When the news broke, the share price rose immediately.
Steal a march on sb
To gain an advantage over someone by acting before they do.
The company launched the new product a week before its rival.
Be at a crossroads
To be at a point where an important decision must be made.
The company had to choose between expanding abroad or focusing on the domestic market.
Touch base
To make contact with someone briefly to check progress or exchange information.
Before finalizing the report, the analyst wanted to confirm the latest figures with the sales team.
A hard nut to crack
A difficult problem or person to deal with.
The complex technical issue had puzzled the entire engineering team for weeks.
Play hardball
To be very tough and uncompromising in business or negotiations.
The company refused to make any concessions during the talks.
As clear as mud
Not clear at all; confusing.
The technical manual was written in such complicated language that no one understood it.
Go haywire
To become completely disorganized or out of control.
The computer system suddenly started producing random errors.
All or nothing
A situation where one must accept everything completely or have nothing at all.
The investor offered either full funding or nothing; there was no middle option.