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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. Typo
Said when you are changing the topic
To be enthusiastic
Typing mistake
To get off the topic and go in a completely different direction

2. We're going to change gears
Does everyone understand what we are talking about?
Typing mistake
To go in the right direction - esp. with a new idea or solution
Said when you are changing the topic

3. To be a wall-flower

4. Easier said than done
To put a project in motion (to get started)
to be without complication or hassle
Said when a solution is obvious but hard to achieve
To kiss up to someone (flatter for personal gains)

5. Turn over a new leaf
We are in the same undesirable situtation.
When you get what you want - you may not want it anymore!
Said when you want to start over and make a big change
I feel great!

6. To B.S.
Typing mistake
Simplicity can make an impact
To make a situation seem less severe
To kiss up to someone (flatter for personal gains)

7. Today I feel a little 'under the weather.'
A person who says and does things only to improve their standing
Said when a solution is obvious but hard to achieve
Describes a situation in which both people - e.g. both buyer and seller - benefit
I feel a bit sick.

8. TESOL
Describes a situation in which both people - e.g. both buyer and seller - benefit
I feel a bit sick.
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages - an international organization
I am aleart and eager!

9. To be one's cup of tea

10. Are we all on the same page?
As soon as possible
Does everyone understand what we are talking about?
Said in answer to How are you? to indicate that life is as routine as ever
You don't want to start talking about that controversial topic or you will be sorry.

11. Social climber
Typing mistake
To be enthusiastic
We are in the same undesirable situtation.
A person who says and does things only to improve their standing

12. That's a 'loaded' question!

13. We are in the same boat.
To be confused and tired due to crossing time zones
We are in the same undesirable situtation.
To put a project in motion (to get started)
You need to be sure to impress someone during your first meeting

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

15. Keep it short and simple (KISS)
As soon as possible
To be the big boss
The way Americans are taught to approach business communication - esp. writing
Said when a solution is obvious but hard to achieve

16. Same old; same old
As soon as possible
Said in answer to How are you? to indicate that life is as routine as ever
To require high-maintenance: His son sure is a ____________.
To be someone's preference

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

18. Less is more
To make a situation seem less severe
to be without complication or hassle
Simplicity can make an impact
To be enthusiastic

19. To be the big cheese
Said when a solution is obvious but hard to achieve
Try to imagine the other person's perspective
To be the big boss
It's a competitive world

20. To be an eager beaver
Typing mistake
To be enthusiastic
Said when a solution is obvious but hard to achieve
When you get what you want - you may not want it anymore!

21. To soften the blow
To make a situation seem less severe
Said when a solution is obvious but hard to achieve
A person who says and does things only to improve their standing
To put a project in motion (to get started)

22. He is a handful!
To get off the topic and go in a completely different direction
Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages - an international organization
Said in answer to How are you? to indicate that life is as routine as ever
To require high-maintenance: His son sure is a ____________.

23. I'm healthy as a horse!
to be without complication or hassle
I feel strong and healthy.
Said in answer to How are you? to indicate that life is as routine as ever
A person who likes to talk to many people - e.g. at a cocktail party

24. Let's get this show on the road!
I am aleart and eager!
Said when you want to start over and make a big change
We are in the same undesirable situtation.
To get a meeting - presentation - or discussion started after a delay

25. To think outside the box
Does everyone understand what we are talking about?
I feel a bit sick.
To creatively think of a solution in an open-minded way
The way Americans are taught to approach business communication - esp. writing

26. To get the ball rolling
To kiss up to someone (flatter for personal gains)
Try to imagine the other person's perspective
To put a project in motion (to get started)
To be confused and tired due to crossing time zones

27. ASAP
As soon as possible
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 the big boss

28. To be jet-lagged
To require high-maintenance: His son sure is a ____________.
To be confused and tired due to crossing time zones
A person who likes to talk to many people - e.g. at a cocktail party
To kiss up to someone (flatter for personal gains)

29. Social butterfly
Try to imagine the other person's perspective
We are in the same undesirable situtation.
A person who says and does things only to improve their standing
A person who likes to talk to many people - e.g. at a cocktail party

30. Cheat sheet
A little paper with notes to help you remember the answers
That's a question about a topic that's deeper than you think!
To be someone's preference
You need to be sure to impress someone during your first meeting

31. Be careful what you wish for!
As soon as possible
Said when a solution is obvious but hard to achieve
When you get what you want - you may not want it anymore!
To make a situation seem less severe

32. You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
Typing mistake
To get a meeting - presentation - or discussion started after a delay
To go in the right direction - esp. with a new idea or solution
You need to be sure to impress someone during your first meeting

33. I was born ready
When you get what you want - you may not want it anymore!
Said in answer to How are you? to indicate that life is as routine as ever
Said when a solution is obvious but hard to achieve
I am aleart and eager!

34. Win-win
I feel great!
Said when you are changing the topic
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!

35. To be smooth
to be without complication or hassle
Typing mistake
To get a meeting - presentation - or discussion started after a delay
To be the big boss

36. To keep someone in the loop.
To keep someone informed of your progress or news on a project
The way Americans are taught to approach business communication - esp. writing
You don't want to start talking about that controversial topic or you will be sorry.
Said when a solution is obvious but hard to achieve

37. To get off on a tangent
To get off the topic and go in a completely different direction
A person who says and does things only to improve their standing
To be the big boss
To be enthusiastic

38. I feel like a 'million bucks!
I feel great!
To be confused and tired due to crossing time zones
Simplicity can make an impact
Said when you are changing the topic

39. Get on the right track
To be confused and tired due to crossing time zones
To go in the right direction - esp. with a new idea or solution
To require high-maintenance: His son sure is a ____________.
A person who says and does things only to improve their standing

40. Put yourself in the shoes of your customers.

41. I'm fit as a fiddle!
Simplicity can make an impact
Said when you want to start over and make a big change
I feel healthy.
To go in the right direction - esp. with a new idea or solution