Do you know these terms?

It means to start again from the beginning with completely new ideas.

• Back to the drawing board

• Call it a day

• Cut corners

• Take a step back

Answer explanation

“The client hated your proposal, so we’ll have to go back to the drawing board.” 

The phrase makes you think of a blackboard being wiped clean. It is most often used when an idea or project is rejected. 

It sounds quite friendly when you use it to say that you’re scrapping your own idea. However, asking someone else to “go back to the drawing board” on a project can come off a bit strong! 

It means to talk to someone, whether digitally or in person, and usually briefly.

• Reach out

• Drill down into

• Touch base

• Forward planning

Answer explanation

“If you could just touch base with Ritesh after the meeting, that would be great.” 

It typically describes keeping someone up-to-date with developments on something you are both working on. 

This is an expression that business jargon has adapted from the world of sports. In baseball, players touch a base with their feet in order to be “safe.” 

Something which makes a product more appealing to your customers.

• Forward planning

• Keep in the loop

• Action points

• Added value

Answer explanation

“I would really appreciate it if you could help us highlight the added value.”

An increase in the value of a resource, product, or service as the result of a particular process.

To get to the point without wasting time.

• Cut to the chase

• Forward planning

• Actionable

• Stay ahead of the curve

Answer explanation

“Let’s cut to the chase: are you going to finish the report on time or not?” 

It was first used in the movie industry to mean “skip to the car chase” — the most interesting and action-packed part! 

It is quite an informal and lesser-used business idiom, but a useful term to be aware of. 

To maintain any advantage you have gained over the competition.

• Stay ahead of the curve

• Due diligence

• Get the ball rolling

• Best practice

Answer explanation

“We need to stay ahead of the curve, otherwise our competitors will wipe us out.” 

Something — like a product or company — that is “ahead of the curve” is more advanced than others of its kind. “The curve” refers to a line on an imaginary graph that shows the growth of a trend.

For instance, Instagram was “ahead of the curve” in anticipating how much people would enjoy sharing pictures of their lunch.

It is also sometimes used more generally to describe the need to work hard to avoid losing progress.

A method accepted to be the most effective way of doing something.

• Due diligence

• Upskill

• Best practice

• Streamline

Answer explanation

“I completed the article following all the best practices.”

It can be industry-wide or specific to a company. Many businesses encourage employees to follow a set of “best practices” described in a company handbook — that is, the rules, procedures, and techniques to use in day-to-day operations. 

The necessary research behind a good decision.

• Upskill

• Due diligence

• Down the line

• Go the extra mile

Answer explanation

“We’ve done our due diligence in researching the candidates and none of the other contractors seem more qualified.” 

Legal context: used to describe the action that is considered reasonable for people to take to stay safe and on the correct side of the law.

Business context: if you have done your “due diligence,” you have given an issue the attention it deserves and weighed alternatives to the action you intend to take.

Refers to an action that will occur in a few months or years’ time, but this time frame is vague.

• Down the line

• Going forward

• Micromanage

• Go the extra mile

Answer explanation

“They won’t make a difference now, but we will benefit from positive reviews down the line.” 

“Down the line” is a friendly expression for “at some point in the future.”

Anything that is promised “down the line” will almost certainly happen. That said, it is a useful phrase for making promises you aren’t sure you can keep or referring to results you are not confident in! 

To put more effort into a task in order to gain a result which is even better than what was expected or necessary.

• Streamline

• Expedite

• Micromanage

• Go the extra mile

Answer explanation

“We always go the extra mile for our customers.” 

This means to be willing to make a special effort to do or achieve something.

If someone says you “went the extra mile” on a project, they are praising your work ethic and/or the work you produced!

To start an activity or do something which other people will join in with later.

• Get the ball rolling

• Expedite

• Go the extra mile

• Due diligenc e

Answer explanation

“Hopefully, we can get the ball rolling on the new pitch next week.” 

To “get the ball rolling” means to get started on something or to begin making meaningful progress.

This expression originated in one or another sport in which it was important to keep a ball moving.