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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. ASAP
As soon as possible
To get a meeting - presentation - or discussion started after a delay
When you get what you want - you may not want it anymore!
That's a question about a topic that's deeper than you think!

2. To be the big cheese
To be the big boss
A person who says and does things only to improve their standing
To be someone's preference
To put a project in motion (to get started)

3. Win-win
Describes a situation in which both people - e.g. both buyer and seller - benefit
To creatively think of a solution in an open-minded way
Does everyone understand what we are talking about?
A person who likes to talk to many people - e.g. at a cocktail party

4. Social butterfly
When you get what you want - you may not want it anymore!
To creatively think of a solution in an open-minded way
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages - an international organization
A person who likes to talk to many people - e.g. at a cocktail party

5. To get off on a tangent
To get off the topic and go in a completely different direction
Said in answer to How are you? to indicate that life is as routine as ever
To keep someone informed of your progress or news on a project
To make a situation seem less severe

6. That's a 'loaded' question!

7. Less is more
Simplicity can make an impact
Said when you are changing the topic
To get off the topic and go in a completely different direction
To make a situation seem less severe

8. Turn over a new leaf
Said when you want to start over and make a big change
To require high-maintenance: His son sure is a ____________.
I feel strong and healthy.
Does everyone understand what we are talking about?

9. Social climber
Said when you want to start over and make a big change
To be enthusiastic
A person who says and does things only to improve their standing
To keep someone informed of your progress or news on a project

10. Be careful what you wish for!
I feel a bit sick.
When you get what you want - you may not want it anymore!
Try to imagine the other person's perspective
The way Americans are taught to approach business communication - esp. writing

11. Keep it short and simple (KISS)
The way Americans are taught to approach business communication - esp. writing
It's a competitive world
Simplicity can make an impact
A person who likes to talk to many people - e.g. at a cocktail party

12. To get the ball rolling
To go in the right direction - esp. with a new idea or solution
To put a project in motion (to get started)
To be the big boss
To require high-maintenance: His son sure is a ____________.

13. To be smooth
To keep someone informed of your progress or news on a project
The way Americans are taught to approach business communication - esp. writing
to be without complication or hassle
To put a project in motion (to get started)

14. To be jet-lagged
Describes a situation in which both people - e.g. both buyer and seller - benefit
We are in the same undesirable situtation.
To be confused and tired due to crossing time zones
Said when you want to start over and make a big change

15. Get on the right track
We are in the same undesirable situtation.
To keep someone informed of your progress or news on a project
To go in the right direction - esp. with a new idea or solution
Said in answer to How are you? to indicate that life is as routine as ever

16. Typo
To make a situation seem less severe
Typing mistake
Simplicity can make an impact
To go in the right direction - esp. with a new idea or solution

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

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

19. To keep someone in the loop.
To keep someone informed of your progress or news on a project
I feel strong and healthy.
To be the big boss
To creatively think of a solution in an open-minded way

20. I'm healthy as a horse!
I feel strong and healthy.
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages - an international organization
Try to imagine the other person's perspective
Said when you want to start over and make a big change

21. Easier said than done
Said when a solution is obvious but hard to achieve
We are in the same undesirable situtation.
To be confused and tired due to crossing time zones
Does everyone understand what we are talking about?

22. Are we all on the same page?
A little paper with notes to help you remember the answers
I feel great!
I feel a bit sick.
Does everyone understand what we are talking about?

23. To be an eager beaver
To be the big boss
I am aleart and eager!
To be enthusiastic
I feel strong and healthy.

24. To be one's cup of tea

25. We are in the same boat.
We are in the same undesirable situtation.
I feel strong and healthy.
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages - an international organization
To be the big boss

26. Cheat sheet
A person who likes to talk to many people - e.g. at a cocktail party
You need to be sure to impress someone during your first meeting
We are in the same undesirable situtation.
A little paper with notes to help you remember the answers

27. To B.S.
To kiss up to someone (flatter for personal gains)
A person who likes to talk to many people - e.g. at a cocktail party
To be the big boss
Said when you are changing the topic

28. I feel like a 'million bucks!
To keep someone informed of your progress or news on a project
I feel great!
Said when you want to start over and make a big change
To go in the right direction - esp. with a new idea or solution

29. Same old; same old
To keep someone informed of your progress or news on a project
Does everyone understand what we are talking about?
Said in answer to How are you? to indicate that life is as routine as ever
I feel a bit sick.

30. I was born ready
A person who likes to talk to many people - e.g. at a cocktail party
I feel healthy.
To be enthusiastic
I am aleart and eager!

31. Today I feel a little 'under the weather.'
I feel strong and healthy.
When you get what you want - you may not want it anymore!
I feel a bit sick.
A little paper with notes to help you remember the answers

32. To be a wall-flower

33. We're going to change gears
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages - an international organization
A little paper with notes to help you remember the answers
That's a question about a topic that's deeper than you think!
Said when you are changing the topic

34. I'm fit as a fiddle!
I feel strong and healthy.
I am aleart and eager!
I feel healthy.
Said when you are changing the topic

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

36. Put yourself in the shoes of your customers.

37. He is a handful!
A person who sits in the corner and doesn't speak unless spoken to - e.g. at a cocktail party
To be someone's preference
It's a competitive world
To require high-maintenance: His son sure is a ____________.

38. Let's get this show on the road!
Said when a solution is obvious but hard to achieve
To get a meeting - presentation - or discussion started after a delay
Does everyone understand what we are talking about?
As soon as possible

39. To soften the blow
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.
To get a meeting - presentation - or discussion started after a delay
To make a situation seem less severe

40. To think outside the box
To creatively think of a solution in an open-minded way
We are in the same undesirable situtation.
A person who likes to talk to many people - e.g. at a cocktail party
When you get what you want - you may not want it anymore!

41. You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
You need to be sure to impress someone during your first meeting
I feel great!
We are in the same undesirable situtation.
When you get what you want - you may not want it anymore!