7 Business Idioms beginning with “S”
Want to raise the bar with your English? Read on…
When it comes to speaking another language, expanding your vocabulary is always important. This is especially true where you need to use that language in professional contexts. English is a particularly idiomatic language, and is often a big challenge for non-native speakers. With that in mind, this month we have chosen 7 idioms beginning with the letter “S” that you can add to your work conversations, to enrich your conversations and enhance your communication.
Idiom 1: Separate the sheep from the goats
Meaning: divide people or things into superior and inferior groups; to separate the good from the bad.
Example: The interview process really separates the sheep from the goats.
Idiom 2: Shotgun approach
· Meaning: a disorganised, haphazard or unplanned method.
· Example: Let’s make a solid plan, keep it simple and execute; we don’t want to risk a shotgun approach with the new client.
Idiom 3: Signed, sealed, delivered
· Meaning: absolutely definite; a document or an agreement which has been officially signed and completed satisfactorily.
· Example: We can’t begin working on this project until I have the contract signed, sealed and delivered.
Idiom 4: Smooth waters
· Meaning: facing no or very few difficulties or disruptions.
· Example:We'll be in smooth waters if we can secure a new loan extension from the bank.
Idiom 5: Snowed under
· Meaning: having so much work that you have problems dealing with it all.
· Example: I can’t make the conference, I’m afraid, I’m snowed under (with work) at the moment.
Idiom 6: (to put/throw a) Spanner in the works
· Meaning: to cause something to not go as planned
· Example: We were ready to start the project when the bank threw a spanner in the works by denying the loan.
Idiom 7: Start the ball rolling
· Meaning: set an activity in motion; make a start; to kick off.
· Example: Our time is limited today so who wants to start the ball rolling for our meeting?
And there you have it – 7 idioms for September! Of course, we understand that there are hundreds of idioms. But rather than feeling overwhelmed and not learning any, why not set small actionable targets – like this one – each month, and slowly build up?