Business Communication Idioms

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. Turn over a new leaf
It's a competitive world
To be confused and tired due to crossing time zones
Said when you want to start over and make a big change
Typing mistake


2. Win-win
To creatively think of a solution in an open-minded way
To be the big boss
Describes a situation in which both people - e.g. both buyer and seller - benefit
To kiss up to someone (flatter for personal gains)


3. ASAP
As soon as possible
To get off the topic and go in a completely different direction
To make a situation seem less severe
To be enthusiastic


4. Today I feel a little 'under the weather.'
To be enthusiastic
to be without complication or hassle
I feel a bit sick.
Said when a solution is obvious but hard to achieve


5. To soften the blow
To make a situation seem less severe
I feel healthy.
Simplicity can make an impact
I am aleart and eager!


6. TESOL
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages - an international organization
You don't want to start talking about that controversial topic or you will be sorry.
Said in answer to How are you? to indicate that life is as routine as ever
To kiss up to someone (flatter for personal gains)


7. Let's get this show on the road!
To keep someone informed of your progress or news on a project
To put a project in motion (to get started)
It's a competitive world
To get a meeting - presentation - or discussion started after a delay


8. To be a wall-flower

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9. Social butterfly
A person who likes to talk to many people - e.g. at a cocktail party
A person who says and does things only to improve their standing
to be without complication or hassle
Describes a situation in which both people - e.g. both buyer and seller - benefit


10. To be an eager beaver
That's a question about a topic that's deeper than you think!
A person who says and does things only to improve their standing
As soon as possible
To be enthusiastic


11. Less is more
Does everyone understand what we are talking about?
I feel healthy.
Simplicity can make an impact
To creatively think of a solution in an open-minded way


12. To think outside the box
To creatively think of a solution in an open-minded way
When you get what you want - you may not want it anymore!
To be someone's preference
You don't want to start talking about that controversial topic or you will be sorry.


13. Same old; same old
Said when a solution is obvious but hard to achieve
Said in answer to How are you? to indicate that life is as routine as ever
That's a question about a topic that's deeper than you think!
To require high-maintenance: His son sure is a ____________.


14. To B.S.
To kiss up to someone (flatter for personal gains)
To go in the right direction - esp. with a new idea or solution
Describes a situation in which both people - e.g. both buyer and seller - benefit
I feel great!


15. You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
Said when you want to start over and make a big change
You need to be sure to impress someone during your first meeting
To be the big boss
It's a competitive world


16. To keep someone in the loop.
To get a meeting - presentation - or discussion started after a delay
I am aleart and eager!
To keep someone informed of your progress or news on a project
As soon as possible


17. Are we all on the same page?
To get off the topic and go in a completely different direction
Does everyone understand what we are talking about?
To creatively think of a solution in an open-minded way
A little paper with notes to help you remember the answers


18. Social climber
A person who says and does things only to improve their standing
You need to be sure to impress someone during your first meeting
We are in the same undesirable situtation.
To put a project in motion (to get started)


19. To be jet-lagged
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 confused and tired due to crossing time zones
I feel a bit sick.


20. I feel like a 'million bucks!
A person who likes to talk to many people - e.g. at a cocktail party
I feel great!
To go in the right direction - esp. with a new idea or solution
Describes a situation in which both people - e.g. both buyer and seller - benefit


21. I'm fit as a fiddle!
To require high-maintenance: His son sure is a ____________.
I feel healthy.
A person who sits in the corner and doesn't speak unless spoken to - e.g. at a cocktail party
To kiss up to someone (flatter for personal gains)


22. To be the big cheese
That's a question about a topic that's deeper than you think!
As soon as possible
To be the big boss
Does everyone understand what we are talking about?


23. To get the ball rolling
To make a situation seem less severe
To kiss up to someone (flatter for personal gains)
A person who says and does things only to improve their standing
To put a project in motion (to get started)


24. I'm healthy as a horse!
To be the big boss
Said when you are changing the topic
To go in the right direction - esp. with a new idea or solution
I feel strong and healthy.


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

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

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27. He is a handful!
To kiss up to someone (flatter for personal gains)
To require high-maintenance: His son sure is a ____________.
To go in the right direction - esp. with a new idea or solution
I feel healthy.


28. To be smooth
It's a competitive world
to be without complication or hassle
You need to be sure to impress someone during your first meeting
I am aleart and eager!


29. To get off on a tangent
To get off the topic and go in a completely different direction
I feel strong and healthy.
To be confused and tired due to crossing time zones
I am aleart and eager!


30. We are in the same boat.
We are in the same undesirable situtation.
I feel strong and healthy.
To be confused and tired due to crossing time zones
Said when a solution is obvious but hard to achieve


31. Keep it short and simple (KISS)
That's a question about a topic that's deeper than you think!
The way Americans are taught to approach business communication - esp. writing
We are in the same undesirable situtation.
To make a situation seem less severe


32. 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!
Try to imagine the other person's perspective
Describes a situation in which both people - e.g. both buyer and seller - benefit


33. Typo
Typing mistake
A person who likes to talk to many people - e.g. at a cocktail party
Describes a situation in which both people - e.g. both buyer and seller - benefit
I am aleart and eager!


34. Cheat sheet
I feel strong and healthy.
Try to imagine the other person's perspective
To be enthusiastic
A little paper with notes to help you remember the answers


35. To be one's cup of tea

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36. Easier said than done
Said when a solution is obvious but hard to achieve
Try to imagine the other person's perspective
Describes a situation in which both people - e.g. both buyer and seller - benefit
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages - an international organization


37. That's a 'loaded' question!

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38. I was born ready
Simplicity can make an impact
I feel healthy.
I am aleart and eager!
You don't want to start talking about that controversial topic or you will be sorry.


39. We're going to change gears
That's a question about a topic that's deeper than you think!
I feel strong and healthy.
Said when you are changing the topic
A little paper with notes to help you remember the answers


40. Get on the right track
To get off the topic and go in a completely different direction
As soon as possible
To require high-maintenance: His son sure is a ____________.
To go in the right direction - esp. with a new idea or solution


41. Put yourself in the shoes of your customers.

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