This lesson trains 25 C2 idioms on Business & Management. 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.
if and it's a big if
Used to stress that a condition is unlikely.
During a company planning session, the facilitator introduced “if and it's a big if”, an expression meaning “Used to stress that a condition is unlikely”.
I'll believe it when I see it
I doubt that it will happen.
During a business-strategy workshop, the trainer referred to “I'll believe it when I see it”, a useful expression for the idea “I doubt that it will happen”.
all in all
Considering everything.
During a management meeting, the facilitator introduced “all in all”, an expression meaning “Considering everything”.
mind your own business
Do not interfere in other people's affairs.
In a management meeting, “mind your own business” was explained as an expression meaning “Do not interfere in other people's affairs”.
[give/get] the green light
Give or receive permission to begin.
During a business-strategy workshop, the facilitator introduced “[give/get] the green light”, an expression meaning “Give or receive permission to begin”.
new kid on the block
Someone new to a place or organisation.
While taking part in a business-strategy workshop, the speaker highlighted “new kid on the block”, which means “Someone new to a place or organisation”.
the bottom [drops/falls] out of the market
People suddenly stop buying, causing prices to fall.
During a discussion about running an organisation, the trainer referred to “the bottom [drops/falls] out of the market”, a useful expression for the idea “People suddenly stop buying, causing prices to fall”.
go by the board
Be abandoned or ignored.
While taking part in a discussion about running an organisation, the speaker highlighted “go by the board”, which means “Be abandoned or ignored”.
go belly up
Fail financially.
In a company planning session, “go belly up” was explained as an expression meaning “Fail financially”.
a ballpark figure
An approximate price or estimate.
During a discussion about running an organisation, the facilitator introduced “a ballpark figure”, an expression meaning “An approximate price or estimate”.
in the main
Generally; for the most part.
In a business-strategy workshop, participants used “in the main” to communicate this idea: “Generally; for the most part”.
ad infinitum
Without end; forever.
During a discussion about running an organisation, the trainer referred to “ad infinitum”, a useful expression for the idea “Without end; forever”.
know no bounds
Have no limits.
During a discussion about running an organisation, the facilitator introduced “know no bounds”, an expression meaning “Have no limits”.
across the board
At every level or for everyone involved.
While taking part in a business-strategy workshop, the speaker highlighted “across the board”, which means “At every level or for everyone involved”.
as quick as a flash
Very quickly.
While taking part in a company planning session, the speaker highlighted “as quick as a flash”, which means “Very quickly”.
run a tight ship
Manage an organisation firmly and efficiently.
In a company planning session, participants used “run a tight ship” to communicate this idea: “Manage an organisation firmly and efficiently”.
in the [final/last] analysis
When all facts are considered.
While taking part in a management meeting, the speaker highlighted “in the [final/last] analysis”, which means “When all facts are considered”.
ad hoc
Arranged or done for a particular purpose when needed.
In a company planning session, participants used “ad hoc” to communicate this idea: “Arranged or done for a particular purpose when needed”.
be quids in
Be making a profit.
During a management meeting, the trainer referred to “be quids in”, a useful expression for the idea “Be making a profit”.
an all-time [high/low]
The highest or lowest level ever reached.
In a business-strategy workshop, “an all-time [high/low]” was explained as an expression meaning “The highest or lowest level ever reached”.
it never rains but it pours
Bad things often happen all at once.
During a company planning session, the trainer referred to “it never rains but it pours”, a useful expression for the idea “Bad things often happen all at once”.
a cog in the machine
A small, unimportant part of a large organisation.
In a management meeting, “a cog in the machine” was explained as an expression meaning “A small, unimportant part of a large organisation”.
ignorance is bliss
Not knowing unpleasant facts can make you happier.
In a discussion about running an organisation, “ignorance is bliss” was explained as an expression meaning “Not knowing unpleasant facts can make you happier”.
be going great guns
Be doing something very successfully.
In a discussion about running an organisation, participants used “be going great guns” to communicate this idea: “Be doing something very successfully”.
hit [someone] hard
Affect someone strongly or badly.
In a management meeting, participants used “hit [someone] hard” to communicate this idea: “Affect someone strongly or badly”.