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Business Communication Idioms

Subjects : business-skills, soft-skills

Instructions:

Answer 41 questions in 15 minutes.
If you are not ready to take this test, you can study here.
Match each statement with the correct term.
Don't refresh. All questions and answers are randomly picked and ordered every time you load a test.

This is a study tool. The 3 wrong answers for each question are randomly chosen from answers to other questions. So, you might find at times the answers obvious, but you will see it re-enforces your understanding as you take the test each time.

1. You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
Said in answer to How are you? to indicate that life is as routine as ever
The way Americans are taught to approach business communication - esp. writing
You need to be sure to impress someone during your first meeting
As soon as possible

2. To be one's cup of tea

3. I'm fit as a fiddle!
A little paper with notes to help you remember the answers
I feel healthy.
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages - an international organization
I feel great!

4. Social butterfly
I feel a bit sick.
When you get what you want - you may not want it anymore!
Said when you want to start over and make a big change
A person who likes to talk to many people - e.g. at a cocktail party

5. Social climber
To put a project in motion (to get started)
To keep someone informed of your progress or news on a project
Typing mistake
A person who says and does things only to improve their standing

6. Are we all on the same page?
Does everyone understand what we are talking about?
A person who sits in the corner and doesn't speak unless spoken to - e.g. at a cocktail party
Typing mistake
A person who likes to talk to many people - e.g. at a cocktail party

7. To be the big cheese
Does everyone understand what we are talking about?
Typing mistake
A person who sits in the corner and doesn't speak unless spoken to - e.g. at a cocktail party
To be the big boss

8. I'm healthy as a horse!
A person who says and does things only to improve their standing
I feel strong and healthy.
Try to imagine the other person's perspective
I feel a bit sick.

9. Easier said than done
That's a question about a topic that's deeper than you think!
Said when a solution is obvious but hard to achieve
To get off the topic and go in a completely different direction
Does everyone understand what we are talking about?

10. To think outside the box
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages - an international organization
To creatively think of a solution in an open-minded way
A person who likes to talk to many people - e.g. at a cocktail party
I feel healthy.

11. To B.S.
To kiss up to someone (flatter for personal gains)
A little paper with notes to help you remember the answers
To be confused and tired due to crossing time zones
To put a project in motion (to get started)

12. To be jet-lagged
Describes a situation in which both people - e.g. both buyer and seller - benefit
To require high-maintenance: His son sure is a ____________.
To be confused and tired due to crossing time zones
The way Americans are taught to approach business communication - esp. writing

13. That's a 'loaded' question!

14. Put yourself in the shoes of your customers.

15. It's a dog-eat-dog world

16. Cheat sheet
You don't want to start talking about that controversial topic or you will be sorry.
Said when you want to start over and make a big change
A person who likes to talk to many people - e.g. at a cocktail party
A little paper with notes to help you remember the answers

17. Today I feel a little 'under the weather.'
A person who sits in the corner and doesn't speak unless spoken to - e.g. at a cocktail party
To creatively think of a solution in an open-minded way
I feel a bit sick.
Said when you want to start over and make a big change

18. Less is more
A person who likes to talk to many people - e.g. at a cocktail party
Simplicity can make an impact
I feel great!
To be enthusiastic

19. You don't want to open that 'can of worms'!

20. To be a wall-flower

21. Be careful what you wish for!
To get off the topic and go in a completely different direction
When you get what you want - you may not want it anymore!
Does everyone understand what we are talking about?
You need to be sure to impress someone during your first meeting

22. Win-win
To be enthusiastic
A person who sits in the corner and doesn't speak unless spoken to - e.g. at a cocktail party
To make a situation seem less severe
Describes a situation in which both people - e.g. both buyer and seller - benefit

23. To be smooth
To be confused and tired due to crossing time zones
to be without complication or hassle
Describes a situation in which both people - e.g. both buyer and seller - benefit
It's a competitive world

24. To keep someone in the loop.
Try to imagine the other person's perspective
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages - an international organization
To require high-maintenance: His son sure is a ____________.
To keep someone informed of your progress or news on a project

25. He is a handful!
To be someone's preference
When you get what you want - you may not want it anymore!
To require high-maintenance: His son sure is a ____________.
Typing mistake

26. To soften the blow
Typing mistake
To make a situation seem less severe
Said when a solution is obvious but hard to achieve
To get off the topic and go in a completely different direction

27. I was born ready
I am aleart and eager!
That's a question about a topic that's deeper than you think!
To kiss up to someone (flatter for personal gains)
To require high-maintenance: His son sure is a ____________.

28. To be an eager beaver
To get a meeting - presentation - or discussion started after a delay
A person who says and does things only to improve their standing
To be enthusiastic
The way Americans are taught to approach business communication - esp. writing

29. To get off on a tangent
To get off the topic and go in a completely different direction
You don't want to start talking about that controversial topic or you will be sorry.
A person who likes to talk to many people - e.g. at a cocktail party
To kiss up to someone (flatter for personal gains)

30. Let's get this show on the road!
To get off the topic and go in a completely different direction
To get a meeting - presentation - or discussion started after a delay
Try to imagine the other person's perspective
To be enthusiastic

31. We're going to change gears
That's a question about a topic that's deeper than you think!
Said when you are changing the topic
I feel a bit sick.
I feel strong and healthy.

32. I feel like a 'million bucks!
We are in the same undesirable situtation.
I feel great!
It's a competitive world
A person who says and does things only to improve their standing

33. ASAP
to be without complication or hassle
As soon as possible
I am aleart and eager!
Try to imagine the other person's perspective

34. To get the ball rolling
To require high-maintenance: His son sure is a ____________.
To put a project in motion (to get started)
We are in the same undesirable situtation.
You need to be sure to impress someone during your first meeting

35. Get on the right track
To keep someone informed of your progress or news on a project
Said when a solution is obvious but hard to achieve
To go in the right direction - esp. with a new idea or solution
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages - an international organization

36. Same old; same old
To creatively think of a solution in an open-minded way
Said in answer to How are you? to indicate that life is as routine as ever
Simplicity can make an impact
We are in the same undesirable situtation.

37. We are in the same boat.
To be confused and tired due to crossing time zones
We are in the same undesirable situtation.
Said when you want to start over and make a big change
To get a meeting - presentation - or discussion started after a delay

38. Turn over a new leaf
A little paper with notes to help you remember the answers
The way Americans are taught to approach business communication - esp. writing
Said when you want to start over and make a big change
Said when a solution is obvious but hard to achieve

39. Typo
Typing mistake
To require high-maintenance: His son sure is a ____________.
Try to imagine the other person's perspective
That's a question about a topic that's deeper than you think!

40. TESOL
To be enthusiastic
I feel healthy.
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages - an international organization
Try to imagine the other person's perspective

41. Keep it short and simple (KISS)
You need to be sure to impress someone during your first meeting
I feel a bit sick.
Does everyone understand what we are talking about?
The way Americans are taught to approach business communication - esp. writing