In the process of learning English, many expressions will often be encountered. In fact, business English also has its common expressions. If you master these expressions, it may have a positive impact on your examination or English use. Let’s learn about these knowledge points with the editor of Hujiang now. Those who are interested immediately follow up!
1
1) tough break
When something unfortunatehappens
The adjective Tough means “difficult and tricky”, and break can be used as a noun as “luck”. Therefore, tough Break refers to “a difficult situation, bad luck”
That tough break put an end to my plans!
I’m so unlucky! All the plans behind have fallen through!
2) back to the drawing board
to start something over and goback to the planning stage.
literally means to go back to the drawing board, in fact it means to start from the beginning
For example, in order to increase profits, a company asks employees to make various suggestions. But the boss thinks that none of these works and wants everyone to start from scratch. The boss sent them back to the drawing board
3) 24/7
“24/7” means 24 hours a day,seven days a week.
Abbreviation for 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, which means providing services around the clock
4) behind the scenes
Something that happens in secret or not infront of the general public
behind the scenes
It’s an exciting opportunity to learn what goes on behind the scenes.
It is very exciting to have the opportunity to understand the work behind the scenes.
5) change of pace
Something different from a normal routine or schedule.
change habits, interests, etc., change taste
A change of pace will probably do you good.
A change in lifestyle may be good for you
6) come up short
To try to achieve something butfail.
disappoint others
Bill always seems to come up short of his parent’s expectations.
Bill never seems to live up to his parents’ expectations
7) big picture
Everything that is involved with a particular situation is called “the big picture.”
Big picture, big picture
Some of these examples come from big-picture trends.
Some of these examples are from global trends.
(PS: I don’t know if anyone watched Korean Variety, HAHA and Kim Jong have a super funny variety show called “Big Picture”, at home for the New Year, by the way, Amway to you, the universe is invincible.
8) fifty-fifty
“Fifty-fifty” means something is divided
Equally
is divided into two
9) ahead of the curve
To be more advanced than the competition.
takes the lead and stays ahead
The technology firm invests heavily in R&D in order to keep ahead of the curve.
This technology company invests heavily in research and development to maintain its lead
10) by the book
To do things according to company policy or the law. It means to follow the rules 100%.
act according to the chapter
He showed little initiative, handling all matters strictly by the book.
He lacks the spirit of initiative, and does everything in a conventional manner
2
11) back to square one
To startsomething over again.
The problem is back to the original state, start over
We got a phone call from the lawyers and is was back to square one.
We received a call from a lawyer, and everything had to start from the beginning.
12) ahead of the pack
To be better or more successful than the competition.
Leading. Outstanding
At this stage in the campaign, the Democratic candidate is way ahead of the pack.
At this stage of the campaign, the Democratic candidate is far ahead
13) call it a day
To decide to stop working for the day.
Close job
A: I’m very tired. We’re done too much work today.
B: OK, let’s call it a day.
A: Wonderful.
14) ASAP
An acronym for “as soon as possible.”
15) from the ground up
When you start a business, project, or something else from zero
start from the beginning; completely, completely
All I asked her to do was make a few revisions to the employee handbook. It’s not like she has to create the whole thing from the ground up!
I just asked her to make some changes to the employee handbook, but I didn’t want her to write it from scratch!
16) go broke
To go bankrupt or to lose all the money a person or business had.
Bankruptcy
The majority of small businesses go broke within the first twenty-four months
Most small businesses go bankrupt within 24 months of opening
17) go down the drain
When someonewastes or loses something
“Soaking in water” or “Stopping”
A single mistake and all that time and money would go down the drain.
As long as an error occurs, all time and money will be spent
18) go the extra mile
To do more than what people expect.
do much more effort than expected; do more and achieve greater success
To do your duty is not enough. You must go the extra mile.
It is not enough to be satisfied with the points, you must do a little more.
19) go through the roof
Rapidly increasing.
Rapid growth
The unemployment rate went through the roof.
The unemployment rate is soaring
20) gray area
Somethingthat is undefined and not easily categorized.
Gray area, unclear, unclear state
Transitions aren’t easy, so it’s important to cut yourself some slack as you move through the gray area.
The transition from a graduate to a professional is not easy, so when you walk through this gray area, it is very important to overcome your own laziness.
3
21) at stake
“At stake” means at risk.
is at a critical juncture
He Chinese nation has reached a point where its very existence is at stake.
The Chinese nation has reached this critical moment of life and death.
22) catch someone off guard
to surprise someone by doing something that he or she wasnot expecting.
caught off guard
The government’s decision to raise the interest rate caught everyone off guard-nobody expected it.
The government’s decision to raise interest rates caught everyone off guard — no one expected it.
23) cave (or cave in)
To give in or agree tosomething that someone previously did not want to accept.
surrender, yield
The United States should also be made aware that China will not cave in the face of American protectionism or be led by the nose
The United States should also realize that China will not succumb to U.S. protectionism or be led by the nose.
24) cut corners
to take shortcuts and find an easier or cheaper way to do something.
Cut corners, take shortcuts, cut corners
Government officials insist they will not let the utility cut corners on safety.
Government officials insist that they will not cut corners on security facilities.
25) cut one’s losses
To stop doing something that is unproductive and won’t evergenerate results.
Withdraw from a situation that is not good for you to reduce losses
Sometimes, there’s nothing you can do to improve a situation. All you can do is cut your losses and try to find a better situation
Sometimes, if you can’t change the relationship at all, it’s better to leave as soon as possible, so as not to continue suffering
26) A blue collar worker
Someone who works with his hands(manufacturing, constructio
