This lesson will focus on using a variety of expressions related to work.
You will learn 5 idioms to describe work. You will also get a chance to talk about your own experiences.
The topic is work, which is definitely a familiar subject for most students.
Guide to Business Idioms
Why idioms?
Idioms bring up a lot of pre-packaged imagery. They are emotive and they resonate with native speakers.
Don't over-use them, but on the other hand, a well-placed idiom will bring your language to life.
Warm Up
- Be quick & interesting.
- Note idioms the student uses unprompted.
- You may say, "That was a clear answer, but it wasn't very natural. Let's add some natural expressions using the phrases in the Language section."
- Praise or recommend good spoken grammar:
- use of contractions (it isn't, they're, etc...);
- short, active sentences (clear spoken English often employs such language);
- emphatic language.
Language section
You may take multiple classes for this.
- Encourage short answers, but don't move too quickly (find a balance).
- Focus on the phrase at hand.
- Make sure the student is confident with each one before moving on.
- Encourage the student to express themselves using their own experiences or knowledge as much as possible.
- Model the target language as much as possible.
What's the most exciting thing about your job?
This warm-up should take 2–3 minutes.
Example:
My job has a lot of exciting aspects, but the most exciting for me is that every day is different. The change of pace definitely keeps things from getting boring.
Please consider each expression and match them to the images. Your instructor has an example and a question regarding each one.
- behind the scenes—happening privately without being known or seen by the public or other people.
- raise the bar—raise standards or expectations.
- ramp up—increase.
- a change of pace—a variation in usual activities or pattern.
- call it a day—stop what you are doing.
A. |
B. |
C. |
D. |
E. |
Spend as long or as short a time as necessary on each phrase, but make sure the student can use it smoothly before moving on. The student should rephrase the "Practice" sentence with the target idiom, and then answer the "Question" using the target idiom.
1. (B) behind the scenes
E.g.: Our presentations are usually made by one or two team members, but there is a lot of work behind the scenes.
Practice: A lot of negotiations have been going on between the two companies out of sight of the public.
→Example answer: A lot of negotiations have been going on between the two companies behind the scenes.
Question: How much of the work you do every day is visible to upper management?
→Example answer: Our managers really only see the results of our efforts, but a lot of work goes on behind the scenes that they don’t see.
2. (D) raise the bar
E.g.: With our new app, we intend to raise the bar in mobile phone software.
Practice: Our team leader is really annoying. Every time we meet our targets, he increases his expectations!
→Example answer: Our team leader is really annoying. Every time we meet our targets, he raises the bar!
Question: Have you ever been in a situation where you had to raise the standard of your work?
→Example answer: Actually, it happens every time I get a new manager. Every new manager wants us to work better and more efficiently, so I just have to raise the bar.
3. (E) ramp up
E.g.: We’re behind schedule with our current project, so we’ll have to ramp up our activities.
Practice: In order to achieve our sales targets, we need to increase our efforts.
→Example answer: In order to achieve our sales targets, we need to ramp up our efforts.
Question: When is it necessary for you to increase your efforts or activities?
→Example answer: Usually towards the end of the year, when projects have to be completed, it’s necessary for all of us to ramp up our activities.
4. (C) a change of pace
E.g.: I’m working in a different office for the time being, and it’s great to have a change of pace.
Practice: I’m really tired of the same routine every day. I need to do something different.
→Example answer: I’m really tired of the same routine every day. I need a change of pace.
Question: Do you ever feel that you would like to have a variation in your usual activities?
→Example answer: Sometimes when I’m working really hard and I feel tired, I’d like to have a change of pace.
5. (A) call it a day
E.g.: I think we’ve done enough work on this project. Let’s call it a day and go home.
Practice: You’ve been working for ten hours without a break. Why don’t you finish now?
→Example answer: You’ve been working for ten hours without a break. Why don’t you call it a day?
Question: What time do you usually finish work every day?
→Example answer: I usually call it a day around 7pm.
A. Complete the anecdote
Read each section and choose an appropriate idiom from the list above.
- Nigella was absolutely exhausted after months of long working days, and it was clear to everyone that she needed…
- It was clear that in order to meet the increased demand, production would have to…
- The sales director told his staff that, because they had failed to meet their quarterly targets, during the following three months they would have to…
- The team worked solidly from early morning till nearly midnight. At that point, the project leader decided to…
- When receiving the award for Most Innovative Business Leader of the Year, Jo acknowledged all the hard work that her team did…
B. Discussion
Use idioms to discuss the following topics.
- What impact does work-life balance have on your effectiveness at work?
- What's the biggest challenge you're facing right now at work?
- What do you think about working for your present company? Why?
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Kyle Loftus via Pexels
Frans Vledder via Unsplash
Stephan Henning via Unsplash
Simon Migaj via Unsplash
Oli Haleon via Pixabay