Business Idioms

1 He's the perfect person to take on this difficult job. He's a really hard-______ person and won't stand for any nonsense.

a) deal

b) ship

c) nosed

d) handshake

e) bargain

Hard-nosed – hardheaded, realistic, practical

2 We have to work hard for our money while the fat ______ in the City make money doing very little.

a)cats

b)pack

c)market

d)penguins

e)shots

Fat cats – wealthy and priviledged persons

3 She's obviously going to get a top job soon. She's a real high ______ .

a)bird

b)flier

c)jump

d)heel

e)feather

High flier – somebody successful in his bisiness, who will soon become powerful and rich.

4 Their accounts were completely phony. They had been cooking the ______ for years.

a)meal

b)money

c)books

d)trade

e)market

To cook the books – to record false information in teh accounts of the organisation, especially in order to steal money.

5 Well I'm not surprised they are in a mess. It's not exactly ______ -shattering news.

a)roof

b)ship

c)all

d)sky

e)earth

Not exactly / hardly earth shattering – not very surprising or shocking.

6 He thinks he is really important but he is only really a big ______ in a small pond.

a)frog

b)cat

c)fish

d)shark

e) stick

Big fish – one of the most important people in a small group or organisation, who would have much less importance if he/she were a part of a larger group or organisation.

7 She's an excellent manager. She runs a really tight ______ .

a) company

b) ship

c) deadline

d) corner

e) spot

To run a tight ship – to control a business or other organisation firmly and efficiently.

8 I bought them cheap and sold them for a lot. I really made a ______ .

a) trade

b) mistake

c) shock

d) thing

e) killing

To make a killing – to quickly earn a lot of money.

9 Tim was forced to leave his job but he got a very generous golden ______ .

a) handshake

b) watch

c) tooth

d) fish

e) offer

To get a golden handshake – a large sum of money given to someone when they leave company, especially if they are forced to leave.

10 John doesn't look very impressive but he's one of the big ______ in this industry.

a) stuff

b) mouth

c) shots

d) tops

e) talks

Big shot/wheel/noise – important or powerful person in a group or organisation.

11 I've had enough. I'm going to hang up my ______ and retire.

a) coat

b) smile

c) shoes

d) jacket

e) hat

To hang up your hat – to leave your job for ever.

12 You can make a lot of money selling this product. It's a real money-______ .

a) maker

b) magnet

c) box

d) spinner

e) for jam

Money-spinner - business or product that makes a lot of money for someone.

13 If you want to succeed in this business you need to always stay ahead of the ______ .

a) pack

b) books

c) time

d) tribe

e) flock

To stay ahead of the pack – to be more successful than those you are competing against.

14 He's the only person who imports this product. He's really cornered the ______ .

a) street

b) market

c) shop

d) corner

e) competition

1. To control the supply or sale of a particular product.

2. To become so successful at selling and making profit that almost no one else sells or makes it.

15 We're both competing for the same business. Perhaps we can cut a ______ to share out the work?

a) dash

b) beef

c) figure

d) rug

e) deal

To cut a/the deal - to make agreement or arrangement.