Searched Business Idioms

searched business idioms

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.