TASK 10

Business Idioms

Idioms are expressions or phrases that have a figurative, non-literal meaning. They are often specific to a particular language or culture and are used to convey a concept, idea, or emotion in a concise and vivid way.

Idioms cannot be understood by simply looking at the individual words or their literal meanings. Instead, their meaning is derived from the cultural or historical context in which they developed. Idioms are typically used in informal speech, literature, and everyday conversations.

Here are a few examples of idioms:

1. "Break a leg": This idiom is commonly used to wish someone good luck, especially before a performance. It does not actually mean breaking a leg, but rather expresses a wish for success or a great performance.

2. "It's raining cats and dogs": This idiom is used to describe heavy rain. It does not mean that animals are falling from the sky, but rather emphasises the intensity or heaviness of the rain.

3. "Kick the bucket": This idiom means to die. It is a euphemism that refers to the act of someone kicking a bucket, symbolising the end of their life.

4. "Bite the bullet": This idiom is used to encourage someone to face a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage and determination. It does not mean literally biting a bullet, but rather implies enduring hardship or pain for a greater purpose.

5. "A piece of cake": This idiom means something is very easy or simple. It compares a task to eating a piece of cake, which is often considered an effortless activity.

These examples illustrate how idioms add colour, depth, and cultural significance to language, making communication more interesting and expressive.

Story

A SUCCESSFUL START-UP

As CEO of a successful start-up, Sarah knew that it was essential to keep costs low in order to stay competitive in the market. However, she also knew that cutting corners on quality was not an option if she wanted to maintain customer satisfaction. After months of negotiations, Sarah finally closed a deal with a major investor, securing the funding she needed to take her business to the next level. With a ballpark figure in mind, she began to brainstorm new ideas for expanding her product line, embracing blue-sky thinking and exploring all possibilities.

Despite her best efforts to keep her team informed, Sarah realised that some members had been left out of the loop on important decisions. She quickly made adjustments to ensure that everyone was on the same page and working towards the same goals.

Still, she knew that success was never guaranteed in the competitive world of business. Sarah was determined not to put all her eggs in one basket, carefully balancing risks and rewards as she continued to build her company. With a commitment to quality and innovation, she remained confident that her start-up would continue to thrive and grow.

Written and produced exclusively for One2one Academy ©

Task

Fill in the blanks with the correct idiom from the options provided:

1. I always get butterflies in my stomach before a big presentation, but I just need to __________ and do my best.

Options: break a leg / bite the bullet / kick the bucket

2. The weather forecast said it was going to be a sunny day, but when I woke up, it was __________ outside.

Options: raining cats and dogs / a piece of cake / biting the bullet

3. Sarah has been feeling under the weather lately, so she decided to __________ and take a few days off work.

Options: kick the bucket / break a leg / bite the bullet

4. Don't worry about the exam, it's going to be __________! You've studied so hard.

Options: a piece of cake / raining cats and dogs / kick the bucket

5. The company's new project is extremely challenging, but we need to __________ and find a way to make it successful.

Options: break a leg / bite the bullet / raining cats and dogs