Let’s take a look at some of the most searched business idioms starting with S.
Don’t forget to click on the links at the bottom for the rest.
screw up
meaning – do something bad or twist something into a smaller shape
example – I have screwed up the offer and thrown it away, it was way too low.
seal of approval
meaning – proof something is acceptable
example – chief has given my project his seal of approval.
second nature
meaning – something that comes easily to you as you do it often
example – I wouldn’t trust a word he says. Lying is second nature to him.
see eye to eye
meaning – fully agree with someone
example – Me and my siblings see eye to eye about putting our great aunt into a home.
see something through
meaning – persevere, continue with something until it’s finished
example – I stared the project so I’m going to see it through.
sell down the river
meaning – badly betray someone
example – We’ve been sold down the river. The bank told us our money was safe, but it’s all gone.
sell like hot cakes
meaning – something will sell quickly and in large quantities
example – My collection of rare records sold like hot cakes. I made a mint.
separate the wheat from the chaff
meaning – separate the good from the bad
example – My shed is full. I’m going to spend the afternoon separating the wheat from the chaff.
set the pace
meaning – determine the seed/rate
example – Ethel sold 20,000 units this week, she’s set the pace for the rest of us.
set the record straight
meaning – give a truthful version of events
example – Everyone is saying I’m a cheater. I need to set the record straight, we’ve separated.
settle a score
meaning – get revenge/punish someone
example – The reigning champion ha a score to settle with the youngster.
sever ties
meaning – end a friendship/partnership/relationship and stop contact
example – I don’t like the way he does business. I’ll be severing ties with him after this deal ends.
shape up or ship out
meaning – start improving/behaving or leave
example – My husband’s drinking is out of control. I told him to shape up or ship out.
shed light
meaning – clarify, help answer questions
example – Hopefully Max can shed some light on why there is money missing from my purse.
shoot someone/something down
meaning – reject
example – The council shot down plans for a new entertainment complex.
show someone the door
meaning – order someone to leave a place/job
example – I was too drunk last night, they showed me the door before midnight.
show someone the ropes
meaning – teach someone how to do a particular job/task/activity
example – I’ve spent three weeks showing her the ropes but she’s still useless.
side-tracked
meaning – cause someone to be distracted from what they’re doing
example – Turn the TV off! I don’t want Jacob to get side-tracked, he needs to revise.
signed, sealed, and delivered
meaning – completed satisfactorily, a signed official/formal document
example – The contract has been signed, sealed, and delivered. That’s five new clients in a week.
silent/sleeping partner
meaning – a person who provides money but is not involved in operating the business
example – A well-known businessman wants to be a silent partner in my restaurant.
sing from the same hymn sheet
meaning – have the same opinions/understanding as others especially in public
example – The gunners were singing from the same hymn sheet last night securing them a 4-0 victory.
sink or swim
meaning – fail or succeed
example – I finally kicked my son out. His behaviour was terrible. It’s sink or swim now.
sky’s the limit
meaning – anything is possible, there is no limit
example – Let’s jump on a plane and go somewhere, the sky’s the limit.
skyrocket
meaning – increase very rapidly/steeply
example – If we leave the EU, prices will skyrocket.
slack off/be a slacker
meaning – lazy, do less work
example – Leanne is such a slacker, she expects everyone else to do all the work.
slave driver
meaning – a person who makes other people work very hard
example – I quit my job today, my boss is a slave driver.
slice of the pie
meaning – a portion of the profits
example – Our boss is great. We all get a slice of the pie, five extra days holiday.
small fry
meaning – unimportant/insignificant people or things
example – The managers will get a juicy bonus, the small fry will get nothing.
small print
meaning – text written in small font in the hope it won’t be noticed
example – Make sure you read the small print before buying your holiday insurance.
small talk
meaning – casual/trivial conversation
example – Can you make small talk with the clients until we’re ready to start the meeting?
stand one’s ground
meaning – face a situation bravely, don’t retreat
example – Stand your ground, the bullies will soon get bored.
state of the art
meaning – the latest technology, new, modern
example – I can’t wait to get my state-of-the-art kitchen fitted.
step up a gear
meaning – become more intense better
example – Francis needs to step it up a gear in the second set or he’ll be knocked out.
step up to the plate
meaning – come forward and take responsibility especially in times of crisis
example – Two employees have quit. I need everyone to step up to the plate to ensure orders are done.
sticky wicket
meaning – a difficult/delicate situation
example – I found myself on a sticky wicket. I got to the till and realised I had forgotten my wallet.
swamped
meaning – inundated, overwhelmed
example – I’ve been swamped for weeks at college. I can’t wait for a holiday.
Did you enjoy learning searched business idioms? I thought so! Click the links below to learn some more.