Idioms are fun to learn. Everyone likes a smart turn of phrase. There are literally hundreds if not thousands of idioms and expressions in the English language. In business, they can be a nice way to add some style or flair to your speech. In this post, I share ten of my favourite business idioms. I hope they come in handy, and if not, they at least make you smile.

1. “To corner the market”
This idiom means to hold the largest share of a specific market or to have a monopoly on the market.
Ex: “Amazon has cornered the online book store market.”

2. “In a nutshell”
It is used to reduce or summarize a complex explanation.
Ex: “In a nutshell, we need to review our expenses for the next quarter.”

3. “Not going to fly”
This expression means that an something is not going to work or won’t be accepted. It can describe a thing or an action.
Ex: “The new ad campaign strategy is not going to fly.”

4. “Learning the ropes”
It means to learn the basics of a new position or company. Refers to a sailor just learning to handle a boat.
Ex: “Fred is new. He’s still learning the ropes.

5. “Nailing it”
You’ll frequently hear this expression on the sitcom Modern Family. It means to do something perfectly or successfully.
Ex: “Maryse really nailed her closing argument.”

6. “Firing on all cylinders”
A great expression that refers to working as efficiently, powerfully or effectively as possible. Refers to a car using its full potential.
Ex: “We were pumping on all cylinders last night getting the work done.”

7. “To have the inside track”
This is an expression from racing. Having the inside track on a race course means having a shorter or more direct route to the goal. It usually refers to having a special position or relationship that gives you an advantage other people do not have.
Ex: “Michelle has the inside track. She’s the one who will become partner.”

8. “Playing dirty”
This expression refers to using less-than-ethical negotiating or business techniques.
Ex: “If they want to play dirty, so will we. We need that contract.”

9. “A brownnoser”
The first time I explained this expression to a group of Francophone friends they laughed for a long time. It’s the name for someone who kisses ass. It is not the most professional term, but I thought you may enjoy it as well. Best used outside the office.
Ex: “Charlie is a real brownnoser.”

10. “A mover and a shaker”
This is the name for someone who makes things happen. Another name for a self-starter, someone who takes initiative.
Ex: “Reaching out to our customer base for advice was really a great idea. Now we have three new contracts. Renée is really a mover and a shaker.”

There are plenty of great expressions out there, and I hope to provide you with many more. However, an idiom on a page is worthless if you don’t use it. I suggest picking one or two that you really like and using them for the rest of the week. Using a few expressions properly goes a long way toward making you sound like a native English speaker. Don’t be shy, native speakers love idioms and expressions too. Go out and have fun!