Top 100 Business Phrases with Meanings and Examples

Effective communication is key to business success. Using the right business phrases and idioms can help you convey your message clearly and professionally.

Below is a comprehensive list of 100 essential business phrases, along with their meanings and examples to help you communicate the corporate landscape with confidence.

Let’s start our list!

Top 100 Business Phrases with Meanings and Examples

The following business phrases are commonly used in professional settings to enhance communication, convey ideas effectively, and maintain a professional tone.

Whether you’re writing emails, participating in meetings, negotiating deals, or networking with colleagues, these business phrases will help you sound more confident and articulate in the business world.

1-20: General Business Phrases

1. Think outside the box
   • Meaning: To think creatively or innovatively.
   • Example: “We need to think outside the box to solve this marketing challenge.”
2. Low-hanging fruit
   • Meaning: Easy-to-achieve tasks or goals.
   • Example: “Let’s focus on the low-hanging fruit to boost sales this quarter.”
3. Win-win situation
   • Meaning: A scenario where all parties benefit.
   • Example: “The partnership was a win-win situation for both companies.”
4. Circle back
   • Meaning: To revisit a topic later.
   • Example: “Let’s circle back to this discussion after the meeting.”
5. Touch base
   • Meaning: To briefly check in with someone.
   • Example: “I’ll touch base with you next week to discuss the project.”
6. On the same page
   • Meaning: In agreement or understanding.
   • Example: “Let’s make sure everyone is on the same page before moving forward.”
7. Move the needle
   • Meaning: To make a significant impact.
   • Example: “Our new strategy really moved the needle on customer engagement.”
8. Bandwidth
   • Meaning: Capacity to handle work.
   • Example: “I don’t have the bandwidth to take on another project right now.”
9. Boil the ocean
   • Meaning: To attempt an impossible task.
   • Example: “Trying to please everyone is like trying to boil the ocean.”
10. Core competency
    • Meaning: A company’s primary strength.
    • Example: “Our core competency is delivering innovative tech solutions.”
11. Deep dive
    • Meaning: To analyze something thoroughly.
    • Example: “We need to do a deep dive into the data before making a decision.”
12. Drill down
    • Meaning: To examine details closely.
    • Example: “Let’s drill down into the financials to find the issue.”
13. Elephant in the room
    • Meaning: An obvious problem no one wants to address.
    • Example: “The budget deficit is the elephant in the room we need to discuss.”
14. Game changer
    • Meaning: Something that significantly alters the situation.
    • Example: “This new software is a game changer for our productivity.”
15. Get the ball rolling
    • Meaning: To start a process.
    • Example: “Let’s get the ball rolling on the new marketing campaign.”
16. Give a heads-up
    • Meaning: To inform someone in advance.
    • Example: “Just giving you a heads-up that the deadline has been moved up.”
17. Go the extra mile
    • Meaning: To put in extra effort.
    • Example: “She always goes the extra mile to ensure client satisfaction.”
18. Hit the ground running
    • Meaning: To start something with enthusiasm and energy.
    • Example: “The new hire hit the ground running and completed the project ahead of schedule.”
19. In the loop
    • Meaning: To be informed about something.
    • Example: “Keep me in the loop regarding any updates on the merger.”
20. Keep your eye on the ball
    • Meaning: To stay focused.
    • Example: “We need to keep our eye on the ball to meet our quarterly targets.”

21-40: Leadership and Management Phrases

21. Lead by example
    • Meaning: To set a standard for others to follow.
    • Example: “As a manager, it’s important to lead by example.”
22. Take the helm
    • Meaning: To take control.
    • Example: “She took the helm of the project and turned it around.”
23. Empower your team
    • Meaning: To give your team the authority to make decisions.
    • Example: “Empowering your team leads to higher morale and productivity.”
24. Raise the bar
    • Meaning: To set higher standards.
    • Example: “Our new CEO has raised the bar for performance.”
25. Call the shots
    • Meaning: To make the decisions.
    • Example: “As the project manager, you’ll be calling the shots.”
26. Step up to the plate
    • Meaning: To take responsibility.
    • Example: “It’s time for everyone to step up to the plate and deliver results.”
27. Take it offline
    • Meaning: To discuss something outside of the current meeting.
    • Example: “Let’s take this offline and continue the conversation later.”
28. Run it up the flagpole
    • Meaning: To present an idea for feedback.
    • Example: “I’ll run this proposal up the flagpole and see what the team thinks.”
29. Put out fires
    • Meaning: To deal with urgent problems.
    • Example: “Most of my day is spent putting out fires.”
30. Keep the ship afloat
    • Meaning: To maintain operations during difficult times.
    • Example: “Despite the challenges, we managed to keep the ship afloat.”
31. Pivot
    • Meaning: To change direction.
    • Example: “We need to pivot our strategy to adapt to market changes.”
32. Streamline processes
    • Meaning: To make processes more efficient.
    • Example: “We’re streamlining processes to reduce costs.”
33. Synergy
    • Meaning: The combined effort of a team to achieve more.
    • Example: “The synergy between the departments led to record-breaking sales.”
34. Take it to the next level
    • Meaning: To improve something significantly.
    • Example: “This new technology will take our business to the next level.”
35. Walk the talk
    • Meaning: To act in accordance with your words.
    • Example: “A good leader walks the talk and sets an example.”
36. Wheelhouse
    • Meaning: An area of expertise.
    • Example: “Marketing is definitely her wheelhouse.”
37. Zero in on
    • Meaning: To focus closely on something.
    • Example: “Let’s zero in on the key issues affecting profitability.”
38. Bring to the table
    • Meaning: To contribute something valuable.
    • Example: “What unique skills can you bring to the table?”
39. Cutting-edge
    • Meaning: Highly advanced or innovative.
    • Example: “Our company is known for its cutting-edge technology.”
40. Raise the stakes
    • Meaning: To increase the level of risk or reward.
    • Example: “By entering the global market, we’re raising the stakes.”

41-60: Sales and Marketing Phrases

41. Close the deal
    • Meaning: To finalize a sale.
    • Example: “After weeks of negotiation, we finally closed the deal.”
42. Value proposition
    • Meaning: The unique value a product or service offers.
    • Example: “Our value proposition is unmatched in the industry.”
43. Call to action (CTA)
    • Meaning: A prompt to encourage a response.
    • Example: “The email included a strong call to action to sign up for the webinar.”
44. Pipeline
    • Meaning: A series of stages in a sales process.
    • Example: “Our sales pipeline is looking strong for the next quarter.”
45. Thought leadership
    • Meaning: Establishing authority in a specific field.
    • Example: “Our CEO is a thought leader in sustainable business practices.”
46. Brand awareness
    • Meaning: The extent to which customers recognize a brand.
    • Example: “Our goal is to increase brand awareness through social media.”
47. Customer retention
    • Meaning: Keeping existing customers.
    • Example: “Customer retention is just as important as acquiring new customers.”
48. Market penetration
    • Meaning: The extent to which a product is recognized and bought in a market.
    • Example: “Our market penetration has increased by 20% this year.”
49. Upsell
    • Meaning: To encourage customers to buy a more expensive version of a product.
    • Example: “The sales team successfully upsold the premium package.”
50. Cross-sell
    • Meaning: To sell additional products to existing customers.
    • Example: “We cross-sell accessories to customers buying smartphones.”

61-80: Finance and Investment Phrases

61. Bottom line
    • Meaning: The net profit or final result.
    • Example: “At the end of the day, the bottom line is what matters most.”
62. Cash flow
    • Meaning: The movement of money in and out of a business.
    • Example: “We need to improve our cash flow to cover operational expenses.”
63. Break-even point
    • Meaning: The point where revenue equals costs.
    • Example: “We expect to reach the break-even point by the end of the year.”
64. ROI (Return on Investment)
    • Meaning: The profit earned from an investment relative to its cost.
    • Example: “The ROI on our marketing campaign was impressive.”
65. Bootstrapping
    • Meaning: Starting a business with minimal resources.
    • Example: “We bootstrapped the company and grew it organically.”
66. Burn rate
    • Meaning: The rate at which a company spends money.
    • Example: “We need to reduce our burn rate to extend our runway.”
67. Runway
    • Meaning: The amount of time before a company runs out of funds.
    • Example: “With our current burn rate, we have a 12-month runway.”
68. Leverage
    • Meaning: Using borrowed capital to increase potential returns.
    • Example: “We leveraged our assets to secure a loan for expansion.”
69. Equity
    • Meaning: Ownership in a company.
    • Example: “The founders retained 60% equity in the business.”
70. Valuation
    • Meaning: The estimated worth of a company.
    • Example: “The startup’s valuation reached $1 billion after the latest funding round.”
71. Due diligence
    • Meaning: Thorough research before making a decision.
    • Example: “We conducted due diligence before acquiring the company.”
72. Liquidity
    • Meaning: The ease of converting assets into cash.
    • Example: “Maintaining liquidity is crucial for financial stability.”
73. Capital raise
    • Meaning: Securing funds for a business.
    • Example: “The company is planning a capital raise to fund its expansion.”
74. Forecast
    • Meaning: A prediction of future financial performance.
    • Example: “Our sales forecast for next quarter looks promising.”
75. Overhead costs
    • Meaning: Ongoing business expenses not directly tied to production.
    • Example: “We need to reduce overhead costs to improve profitability.”
76. Profit margin
    • Meaning: The percentage of revenue that remains as profit.
    • Example: “Our profit margin has increased by 5% this year.”
77. Diversification
    • Meaning: Spreading investments to reduce risk.
    • Example: “Diversification is key to a healthy investment portfolio.”
78. Scalability
    • Meaning: The ability to grow without being hindered by resources.
    • Example: “Our business model is designed for scalability.”
79. Exit strategy
    • Meaning: A plan to sell or leave a business.
    • Example: “The investors asked about our exit strategy during the meeting.”
80. Angel investor
    • Meaning: An individual who provides capital for startups.
    • Example: “We secured funding from an angel investor to launch the product.”

81-100: Workplace and Communication Phrases

81. Action item
    • Meaning: A task or activity that needs to be completed.
    • Example: “Let’s assign action items to ensure the project stays on track.”
82. Back to the drawing board
    • Meaning: To start over after a failure.
    • Example: “The prototype didn’t work, so it’s back to the drawing board.”
83. Best practices
    • Meaning: The most effective way to do something.
    • Example: “We follow industry best practices to ensure quality.”
84. Blue-sky thinking
    • Meaning: Creative and unrestricted thinking.
    • Example: “Let’s do some blue-sky thinking to generate new ideas.”
85. Boilerplate
    • Meaning: Standardized text or language.
    • Example: “Use the boilerplate for the contract to save time.”
86. Change of pace
    • Meaning: A shift in routine or approach.
    • Example: “Working on this project is a nice change of pace.”
87. Crunch time
    • Meaning: A period of intense work to meet a deadline.
    • Example: “It’s crunch time, so we’ll need to work overtime.”
88. Elevator pitch
    • Meaning: A brief, persuasive speech to spark interest.
    • Example: “Do you have an elevator pitch ready for the investors?”
89. Face time
    • Meaning: In-person interaction.
    • Example: “I need some face time with the client to build rapport.”
90. Game plan
    • Meaning: A strategy or plan of action.
    • Example: “Let’s finalize the game plan before the meeting.”
91. Hard stop
    • Meaning: A firm end time for a meeting or task.
    • Example: “I have a hard stop at 3 PM, so let’s wrap up by then.”
92. Heads-up
    • Meaning: A warning or advance notice.
    • Example: “Just a heads-up, the deadline has been moved up.”
93. In the weeds
    • Meaning: Overwhelmed by details.
    • Example: “I’m in the weeds with this report and need some help.”
94. Keep it on your radar
    • Meaning: To stay aware of something.
    • Example: “Keep this project on your radar for next quarter.”
95. Loop in
    • Meaning: To include someone in a conversation or decision.
    • Example: “Let’s loop in the legal team before finalizing the contract.”
96. Open the kimono
    • Meaning: To share confidential information.
    • Example: “The CEO opened the kimono during the investor meeting.”
97. Par for the course
    • Meaning: What is normal or expected.
    • Example: “Delays are par for the course in this industry.”
98. Push the envelope
    • Meaning: To go beyond limits or norms.
    • Example: “Our team is pushing the envelope with this innovative design.”
99. Take it offline
    • Meaning: To discuss something outside of the current meeting.
    • Example: “Let’s take this offline and continue the conversation later.”
100. Wheelhouse
     • Meaning: An area of expertise.
     • Example: “This project is right in my wheelhouse.”

Final Thoughts

Mastering these 100 business phrases will enhance your communication skills and help you communicate confidently in the corporate world.

Whether you’re pitching an idea, leading a team, or negotiating a deal, using the right business phrases can make all the difference.

Practice incorporating them into your daily conversations and watch your professional relationships thrive!

Related Pages

• Top 1000 Business English Vocabulary
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• How Can I Improve My Business Vocabulary?