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. To B.S.
To kiss up to someone (flatter for personal gains)
Said in answer to How are you? to indicate that life is as routine as ever
I feel strong and healthy.
A person who sits in the corner and doesn't speak unless spoken to - e.g. at a cocktail party


2. Turn over a new leaf
I feel great!
Said when you are changing the topic
Said when a solution is obvious but hard to achieve
Said when you want to start over and make a big change


3. Same old; same old
Said in answer to How are you? to indicate that life is as routine as ever
Describes a situation in which both people - e.g. both buyer and seller - benefit
When you get what you want - you may not want it anymore!
To be confused and tired due to crossing time zones


4. Social climber
Does everyone understand what we are talking about?
I feel a bit sick.
A person who sits in the corner and doesn't speak unless spoken to - e.g. at a cocktail party
A person who says and does things only to improve their standing


5. To get off on a tangent
To get off the topic and go in a completely different direction
A person who likes to talk to many people - e.g. at a cocktail party
To be enthusiastic
I feel healthy.


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

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7. That's a 'loaded' question!

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8. To be smooth
to be without complication or hassle
To get a meeting - presentation - or discussion started after a delay
Said when a solution is obvious but hard to achieve
Simplicity can make an impact


9. Cheat sheet
A little paper with notes to help you remember the answers
As soon as possible
It's a competitive world
To be confused and tired due to crossing time zones


10. He is a handful!
To be enthusiastic
To require high-maintenance: His son sure is a ____________.
A little paper with notes to help you remember the answers
Said in answer to How are you? to indicate that life is as routine as ever


11. TESOL
Said in answer to How are you? to indicate that life is as routine as ever
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages - an international organization
A person who sits in the corner and doesn't speak unless spoken to - e.g. at a cocktail party
To be confused and tired due to crossing time zones


12. Put yourself in the shoes of your customers.

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13. To be a wall-flower

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14. Get on the right track
To require high-maintenance: His son sure is a ____________.
A little paper with notes to help you remember the answers
To go in the right direction - esp. with a new idea or solution
To make a situation seem less severe


15. Keep it short and simple (KISS)
I am aleart and eager!
You don't want to start talking about that controversial topic or you will be sorry.
The way Americans are taught to approach business communication - esp. writing
That's a question about a topic that's deeper than you think!


16. Win-win
It's a competitive world
As soon as possible
Describes a situation in which both people - e.g. both buyer and seller - benefit
To get a meeting - presentation - or discussion started after a delay


17. To be an eager beaver
To go in the right direction - esp. with a new idea or solution
To be enthusiastic
Said when you are changing the topic
I feel great!


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

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19. I was born ready
Said when a solution is obvious but hard to achieve
A person who sits in the corner and doesn't speak unless spoken to - e.g. at a cocktail party
I am aleart and eager!
Said when you want to start over and make a big change


20. Be careful what you wish for!
When you get what you want - you may not want it anymore!
I am aleart and eager!
To be enthusiastic
You don't want to start talking about that controversial topic or you will be sorry.


21. I'm fit as a fiddle!
I feel healthy.
to be without complication or hassle
Does everyone understand what we are talking about?
To put a project in motion (to get started)


22. I'm healthy as a horse!
Does everyone understand what we are talking about?
Said when a solution is obvious but hard to achieve
You need to be sure to impress someone during your first meeting
I feel strong and healthy.


23. We are in the same boat.
To go in the right direction - esp. with a new idea or solution
We are in the same undesirable situtation.
It's a competitive world
I feel a bit sick.


24. Typo
It's a competitive world
To go in the right direction - esp. with a new idea or solution
Typing mistake
When you get what you want - you may not want it anymore!


25. To be one's cup of tea

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26. Easier said than done
When you get what you want - you may not want it anymore!
To put a project in motion (to get started)
Said when a solution is obvious but hard to achieve
Typing mistake


27. Let's get this show on the road!
To be confused and tired due to crossing time zones
To creatively think of a solution in an open-minded way
To get a meeting - presentation - or discussion started after a delay
Typing mistake


28. I feel like a 'million bucks!
To creatively think of a solution in an open-minded way
I feel great!
Said when you want to start over and make a big change
To get off the topic and go in a completely different direction


29. We're going to change gears
I am aleart and eager!
Said when you are changing the topic
To put a project in motion (to get started)
When you get what you want - you may not want it anymore!


30. To soften the blow
That's a question about a topic that's deeper than you think!
Typing mistake
To make a situation seem less severe
It's a competitive world


31. Social butterfly
That's a question about a topic that's deeper than you think!
The way Americans are taught to approach business communication - esp. writing
To go in the right direction - esp. with a new idea or solution
A person who likes to talk to many people - e.g. at a cocktail party


32. ASAP
A person who says and does things only to improve their standing
As soon as possible
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.


33. To keep someone in the loop.
A person who says and does things only to improve their standing
I am aleart and eager!
The way Americans are taught to approach business communication - esp. writing
To keep someone informed of your progress or news on a project


34. Are we all on the same page?
Said when you are changing the topic
Does everyone understand what we are talking about?
Typing mistake
It's a competitive world


35. To be jet-lagged
to be without complication or hassle
Does everyone understand what we are talking about?
As soon as possible
To be confused and tired due to crossing time zones


36. To be the big cheese
Does everyone understand what we are talking about?
As soon as possible
To be the big boss
I feel great!


37. You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
Does everyone understand what we are talking about?
You need to be sure to impress someone during your first meeting
It's a competitive world
Describes a situation in which both people - e.g. both buyer and seller - benefit


38. To think outside the box
To creatively think of a solution in an open-minded way
A person who says and does things only to improve their standing
To require high-maintenance: His son sure is a ____________.
Said in answer to How are you? to indicate that life is as routine as ever


39. To get the ball rolling
When you get what you want - you may not want it anymore!
To be the big boss
To require high-maintenance: His son sure is a ____________.
To put a project in motion (to get started)


40. Today I feel a little 'under the weather.'
Describes a situation in which both people - e.g. both buyer and seller - benefit
to be without complication or hassle
To put a project in motion (to get started)
I feel a bit sick.


41. Less is more
Simplicity can make an impact
Said when you are changing the topic
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages - an international organization
When you get what you want - you may not want it anymore!