Business English Expressions To Make You Sound Smarter

We use formal language in serious situations or involve people we don’t know well. On the other hand, informal language is most commonly used in more relaxed situations and involves people we know well.

Formal language is more common when we write; informal language is more common when speaking. However, there are times when writing can be very informal, such as writing postcards or letters to friends, emailing, or texting.

On the other hand, there are also instances where spoken English needs to be formal with the right choice of words and appropriate phrases. For instance, while delivering a speech, presenting a business proposal, or giving a report to customers and managers.

Formal language and informal language are associated with specific grammar and vocabulary choices. For example, contractions, relative clauses without relative pronouns, and ellipses are more common in everyday speech.

Globalization has encouraged nations to form more international collaborations. In addition, since English is spoken in most countries, the language is no longer a barrier for people. So we have to learn formal and polite English to acquire future jobs and collaborations with other nations.

In this post, you will find the best choice of words and phrases depending on the situation. As a result, you can improve the level of your business English and have more influence on people by choosing appropriate words and engaging in English conversations politely.

Top 100 plus Useful Business English Expressions

Let’s touch base.

This expression informs us to contact someone but not in a definite way.

Our state-of-the-art technology.

Whatever your business offers, odds are you want to set it as innovative and one of a kind. The phrase “state of the art” expresses it flawlessly.

I appreciate your attention to this matter.

“Thank you” feels stale and superficial. “I appreciate your attention to this matter” appears more hospitable. The phrase may be overly formal for casual speech, but it’s an excellent way to finish emails.

Please feel free to contact me.

To leave the contact lines open.

I look forward to hearing from you soon.

If you’re reaching a potential lead or requesting a colleague to get together to brainstorm ideas, It is an excellent way to end the submission.

Once I complete my current task, I’ll be happy to take a look at that.

When you’re in the middle of something, and somebody comes to you, “I’m too busy” can be inappropriate. So instead, consider this terminology, which provides you with the additional time to meet your current assignment.

At your earliest convenience.

When you’re questioning somebody to respond or set aside time to help, it’s vital to respect that person’s schedule.

I understand.

Customer service representatives in every place have learned the usefulness of showing compassion for customers. This exact approach can be applied to every business interaction, especially if another person expresses dissatisfaction.

Let me look into that.

It’s much more polite to use this expression instead of saying I’m busy or cannot do it now.

This is a great opportunity.

When presenting your products, it’s essential to frame the pitch to show the other person how it will improve his life.

Get the ball rolling.

The “Let’s get started” in business is quite overused using this expression; it creates a strong, positive visual that motivates people to produce.

It’s a win-win.

When you try to emphasize the benefit of a situation to all participants, this expression is applicable.

At the end of the day.

This term is generally used to summarize things, cutting straight to the point. As a result, it has become popular in sales and business meetings.

We’ll need to manage expectations.

A professional can control only so many things; it is essential to avoid miscommunication about a particular product.

Move the needle.

To change a situation to a prominent degree.

a tough break

When something miserable occurs, it can be named as “tough break.

ahead of the curve

To be “ahead of the curve” indicates being more advanced than the competition.

ahead of the pack

To be “ahead of the pack” implies being more acceptable or more prosperous than the competitor.

at stake

“At stake” signifies at risk.

back to square one

To go “back to square one” points to begin

something over again.

back to the drawing board

It indicates to begin something over and go back to the planning stage.

backroom deal

A “backroom deal” is an arrangement or decision that is made without the public knowing about it.

ballpark number/figure

A “ballpark number” is a very uncertain assessment.

behind the scenes

Something occurs in secret or not in front of the the general public is said to happen “behind the scenes.”

big picture

The entire outlook on a situation or issue.

blue-collar

A blue-collar worker is somebody who works with his hands (manufacturing, construction, maintenance, etc.)

white-collar

A white-collar worker is someone who operates in an office

(customer service, management, sales, etc.).

by the book

To do things “by the book” implies doing something based on the company policy or the law.

call it a day

To “call it a day” indicates deciding to stop working for the day.

catch someone off guard

To “catch someone off guard” suggests to surprise someone by doing something that they were not anticipating.

cave (or cave in)

To “cave” or “cave in” indicates to give in or agree to something that someone earlier did not like to accept.

change of pace

“A change of pace” is something distinct from a standard or schedule.

come up short

This points to trying to achieve something but failing. We usually express that someone has

“Come up short” when somebody fails to reach a goal entirely.

corner a market

To “corner, a market” suggests dominating a particular market.

cut corners

It tells of taking shortcuts and discover a more convenient or more reasonable way to do something.

cut one’s losses

To “cut one’s losses” points to stop doing something that is counterproductive and won’t ever generate results.

cut-throat

“Cut-throat” is used to express something that is very intense, aggressive, and relentless.

diamond in the rough

It is something or somebody that has a ton of prospects while instead requires a lot of work.

easy come, easy go

It is a saying used to express that something performed fast is likewise lost effortlessly. We frequently use this expression after something has been lost.

from the ground up

If you initiate a business, project, or something else from zero, you make it “from the ground up.”

game plan

It is a strategy or method.

get back in/into the swing of things

It indicates to get used to doing something similar after having a break from that activity.

get down to business

It means to start talking about serious topics corresponding to business stop making small talk and.

get something off the ground

To “get something off the ground” implies starting a project or business.

get the ball rolling

To “get the ball rolling” suggests beginning something (a the project, for example).

get/be on the good side of someone

If somebody appreciates you, you stand “on the good side” of

that individual.

get/have one’s foot in the door

This tells to take a low-level position with a company with the

the goal of finally reaching a better place with the same company.

pat someone on the back

It suggests telling a person that they did a satisfactory job.

give the thumbs down

to decline.

give the thumbs up

to approve.

go broke

It suggests going bankrupt or losing all the money someone or a business had.

go down the drain

When someone wastes or loses something.

go the extra mile

It means to do better than what somebody anticipate.

go through the roof

it implies it is rapidly growing.

a gray area

it means that it is something vague and not efficiently organized.

ground-breaking

it means it is unique and visionary.

hands are tied

Somebody’s “hands are tied” if they do not have power over circumstances.

have someone’s work cut out

When someone has tons of work to do or a significantly a challenging task, you “have your work cut out for you.”

hit the nail on the head

To “hit the nail on the head,” tells to do or say something 100% accurate.

in a nutshell

“In a nutshell” means a short description.

in full swing

it denotes that it has been completely formed and that it is advancing or progressing as quickly as it ever will.

in the black

it suggests that it is earning a profit.

in the driver’s seat

To be “in the driver’s seat” signifies being in control.

in the red

it means that it is not profitable and is performing at a loss.

keep one’s eye on the ball

It denotes giving something one’s full engagement and not losing focus.

last straw

The “last straw” signifies the prior pain, trouble, or betrayal which drives someone to give up, lose their tolerance, or become furious.

learn the ropes

To “learn the ropes” signifies learning the fundamentals of something.

long shot

something that has a minimal probability of occurring.

loophole

A legal “loophole” arises if a law is unclear or misses data.

lose ground (opposite gain ground)

It describes losing some type of an benefit (market share, for example) to a competitor.

lose-lose situation (or no-win situation)

It is when there will be a negative outcome nevertheless of what decision is made.

no brainer

If a decision is straightforward or easy to make, the decision is a “no brainer.”

not going to fly

If a solution isn’t reasonable, we can say that it “isn’t going to fly.”

off the top of one’s head

it implies that they give a reply without thinking attentively or doing any research on the subject.

on a roll

it tells that they has had several wins in a row.

on the ball

It suggests being cautious and aware of things.

on the same page

It indicates agreement about something between individuals

on top of something

To be “on top of something” indicates being in control of a situation and be mindful of modifications.

on your toes

To be “on your toes” suggests being attentive.

out in the open

When something is “out in the open,” it is public knowledge and not hidden from people.

Out of the loop (opposite: in the circle)

Being “outside the circle” means not knowing something that a select group of people understand.

On the contrary,

being “in the know” means being part of an elite group with knowledge others don’t have.

Pink slip

Someone who receives the “pink paper” has been fired by their employer.

Playing hardball

It means being cruelly competitive. Playing complex means doing whatever it takes to win.

Put all the eggs in one basket.

“a basket” means relying on only one thing to succeed.

Putting the cart before the horse

It represents doing or considering things in the incorrect order.

Raise the bar to

This means to set the criteria or expectations higher, typically by achieving or making something more valuable than what had once existed.

Read between the lines

It indicates comprehending something that isn’t expressed directly. Reading between the lines applies to understanding what somebody is telling or suggesting but not describing now.

Red tape

It refers to extreme rules, guidelines, and regulations that make it challenging to achieve something. For example, we usually use “red tape” to discuss government needs that create complicated, time-consuming obstacles for people and businesses.

Rock the boat

points to cause disruption or discomfort in a peaceful situation.

Round the clock

This implies 24 hours a day.

Running/walking in circles

This means doing the same thing repeatedly without getting any results.

“safe bet” means something likely to happen.

Same boat

When people are in the same condition, they are in “the same boat.

Second Nature

When someone does something so nicely that it appears like they were born understanding how to do it,

see eye to eye “see eye to eye” with someone means to agree with that person.

see something through

see something through” means to do something until it is finished

Sever ties

It is a means to end a relationship.

state of the art

Something that indicates it is modern and

technologically advanced.

To shootdown

It suggests rejecting something, for example, a suggestion or an idea.

Smooth/clear sailing

It is a term used to describe a situation where success is achieved without difficulty.

Snail mail

It is traditional mail that goes through the post office.

Stand one’s ground.”

This means not changing one’s opinion or position.

Start on the right foot

means start to take something positive.

Taking the bull by the horns

It tells about confronting a difficult situation head-on.

Taking something lying down

Accepting something uncomfortable without resisting

The Elephant in the Room

It leads to an apparent issue or controversial topic that nobody wants to talk about.

Thinking outside the box.

This means thinking about creative and unconventional resolutions rather than standard solutions.

Throw in the towel

It suggests giving up.

Touch base

It signifies making contact with someone.

To twist someone’s arm.

It implies convincing someone to do something they don’t desire to do.

Writing on the Wall

This guides to evidence and clues that something negative is about to happen.