T time : 10 Professional Idioms that begin with T.

One of the most common things we hear from our clients is “I’d really like to know and use more idioms”. When it comes to expressions, there are SO many, it can be hard to know where to start. With that in mind, we have selected TEN idioms that meet two criteria:

• Firstly, that they begin with the letter T.

• And secondly, that they are used in business contexts.

Browse through the list below, and see which you might find most useful in your day to day professional life:

1.     Take the floor

Meaning: to rise in order to make a speech or motion

Example: I now invite the director of finance to take the floor.

2.     Take a nosedive

Meaning: to fall rapidly, to plunge, to drop quickly. idiom.

Example: Oil prices took a nosedive in the crisis. 

3.     Take something offline

Meaning: to discuss something away from the current setting, especially a meeting.

Example: We agreed to take the discussion offline.

4.     Talk shop

Meaning: discuss matters concerning one's work, especially at a social occasion when this is inappropriate.

Example: They incessantly talk shop in the village pub, even on the weekend!

5.     There for the taking

Meaning: To be available for one to easily obtain or achieve.

Example: Given her connections, the job promotion was there for the taking.

6.     Think outside the box

Meaning: to think differently, unconventionally, or from a new perspective. This phrase often refers to novel or creative thinking

Example: In order to get ahead of our competition, we need to think outside the box for the new marketing campaign.

7.     Throw it over the wall

Meaning: Business slang for completing your part of a project and then passing it off to the next group.

Example: We'll get the new design finished by noon so we can throw it over the wall to the sales team.

8.     Too much like hard work

Meaning: Too difficult, arduous, or stressful to continue doing.

Example: I don't like gardening - it's too much like hard work.

9.     Top dog

Meaning: a person who is successful or dominant in their field.

Example: The team wanted to prove that they were top dogs in the region.

10.  Tricks of the trade

Meaning: special ingenious techniques used in a profession or craft, especially those that are little known by outsiders.

Example: Come and work with me for a few weeks and I’ll teach you all the tricks of the trade.