In today’s global economy, many adult English learners aim to improve their language proficiency for career growth and business opportunities. With the rise of international trade and multinational corporations, having a good grasp of the English language can give these students a competitive edge in the business world.

If you teach English to adult learners whose primary goal is to advance in their careers or their businesses, introducing them to idioms commonly used in professional settings will help them communicate more naturally and confidently.

Here are 12 business idioms to share with your adult English learners:

1) Back to the drawing board

Meaning: Start from the beginning because the previous attempt didn’t work out.

Example: Our marketing campaign didn’t generate any sales, so it’s back to the drawing board.

2) Cash cow

Meaning: Something that continuously makes money with little effort or cost.

Example: The old program is still a cash cow for the company. It’s been selling for years with almost no new updates.

3) To corner the market

Meaning: To have such a competitive advantage in controlling a product or service that competitors have little to no chance of matching you.

Example: With the release of their new smartphone, the company has cornered the market on affordable high-tech handheld devices.

4) Ballpark figure

Meaning: An approximate number or estimate.

Example: I don’t know the exact cost, but a ballpark figure would be around $500.

5) Up in the air

Meaning: Something is undecided or uncertain.

Example: Which vendor we’ll go with is still up in the air because we’re waiting on a few more proposals.

6) Cold call

Meaning: Contacting someone by phone without any prior relationship or appointment, often to sell something or offer a service.

Example: As part of my new sales job, I have to make a hundred cold calls a day to potential clients.

7) To learn the ropes

Meaning: To become familiar with how something works, especially in a new job, role, or activity.

Example: It took me a few weeks to learn the ropes at my new teaching job, but now I’m feeling much more confident.

8) Glass ceiling

Meaning: An invisible barrier that prevents certain people, often women or minority groups, from advancing to higher positions in a job or organization, even though there’s no official rule stopping them.

Example: She’s an amazing manager, but the company’s glass ceiling has kept her from moving into an executive position.

9) Round the clock

Meaning: Happening or continuing all day and all night, without stopping.

Example: The hospital staff worked around the clock during COVID-19.

10) Foot in the door

Meaning: Getting a small opportunity or taking an initial step that could lead to bigger opportunities later.

Example: My internship isn’t glamorous, but it’s a foot in the door at the company I really want to work for.

11) A learning curve

Meaning: How quickly or slowly someone gains new skills or knowledge when starting something new.

Example: There’s a steep learning curve when you start learning web design, but once you get the basics, it gets a lot easier.

12) Slack off

Meaning: To avoid work or responsibilities by being lazy, doing less than you should, or wasting time instead of focusing.

Example: If you slack off now, you’ll be working overtime near the deadline.

We hope you enjoyed these business idioms and that you’ll try them out with your adult English students. Stay tuned for Parts 2 and 3, where we’ll explore even more common expressions to help your learners navigate the business world with confidence!