We use the expression train of thought to refer to the process of thinking about a sequence of connected ideas. We often use this expression to refer to an uninterrupted flow of ideas, or the development of a line of reasoning in our mind.
We use the expression half the battle to refer to the success that we feel when we’ve completed the most difficult part of a task, especially one that requires multiple steps. We use it to say that we’ve had a successful start to a task and that, as a result, we’re one step closer to achieving our goal. When we say that something was half the battle, it means that the most challenging part of the task is over so the path to success should be easier to manage.
When someone is on the ball, they pay close attention to the details of an activity or project. As a result, they are usually knowledgeable and quick to respond to changes.
Employers like to have employees who are on the ball because it means that they are competent and alert. This expression can be used in professional settings to make reference to someone’s work ethic. It can also be used in casual settings to say that someone is smart or organized in general. For example:
When you put something on the back burner, you put it on hold to deal with at a later time. You could put something on the back burner because it’s not important, it’s not urgent, or you just don’t have the time or resources to deal with it at the moment. Regardless of the reason, if you put something on the back burner, you have judged it to be low priority.
If you give someone the freedom to behave in an unsatisfactory way and you do not criticize them, then you cut them some slack. This does not mean that you are encouraging their behavior. Rather, it just means that you have decided not to judge their actions as harshly as usual.
When something takes a toll on you, it has a negative impact on your physical or emotional state. The impact usually happens slowly over time.
When you have a lot on your plate, you have a lot of important tasks to manage. This could mean that you’re trying to balance multiple projects at one time, or you’re dealing with one large, demanding project.
We use the term silver lining to emphasize hope or optimism about a negative situation. If you’re faced with an upsetting situation but you’re able to find something positive about it, then you’ve found the silver lining.
We often use this expression to convey optimism and to comfort someone during a difficult time. It can be used as a reassuring reminder that even the most unfortunate situations have a positive aspect. For example:
When you catch up with someone, you give them an update on recent events in your life. It is a friendly exchange of information, usually between two people who have not seen each other for a long time.
This expression is typically used to refer to social situations with friends and family. It can also be used in professional contexts if you are catching up about business subjects, or if you have a friendly relationship with the person. For example:
If you lose interest or focus in the task that you’re supposed to be doing and start doing another task, then you got sidetracked. This means that you shifted your attention away from your primary goal and started doing an activity that was, likely, less important. When you get sidetracked, you delay the progress of your main goal.
When you cut back on something, you reduce the amount of money, time or energy that you spend on it. If you decide to cut back on an activity, it’s likely because it was being done in excess.
We usually use "cut back" with “on” and then a description of the activity. It can also be used without “on,” especially if the expression is placed at the end of a sentence.
If you relaxed over the weekend, then you took it easy. We use the expression "take it easy" in two ways. First, you can use it to say that you relaxed and did not do any difficult or tiring activities. Second, you can use it to say that you remained calm or avoided situations that could have caused stress or anger. "Take it easy" can be conjugated in the past, present, and future.
If you want to be organized, you have to stay on top of your work. When you stay on top of something, you follow it closely to make sure that you're up to date. This means that you are fully in control of the situation and can react quickly if something changes.
This expression can be used in both personal and professional contexts. The expression is formed using "stay on top of" and then the subject. For example:
If you do more than is expected of you, then you go above and beyond. Companies are fortunate to have employees who go above and beyond because it typically means that they do more than their job description.
This expression is positive and is used to bring attention to someone’s outstanding work. If someone went above and beyond, it means that they completed what was required of them and then chose to do additional work on top of that. Here are a few examples:
If two or more people have the same opinion, perspective, or understanding of a situation, they are on the same page.
This expression can be used in both personal and professional contexts. For example:
When we look at the big picture, we view a situation as a whole. We do not focus on the small details of its individual parts.
Have you ever worked on a long-term project that was delayed because too much time was spent on the small details? When we look at the big picture, we focus on the most important facts of a situation. We then evaluate how those facts will affect the overall situation in the future.
If you need to remember information that could be important or useful at a later time, you can keep it in mind.
If you keep someone in mind, it means that they remain in your thoughts. This could be for personal or professional reasons.
You can use this phrase as a reminder, warning, or statement. It can be used in the past, present, and future tenses by conjugating the verb "keep." You can also modify this expression by adding a noun or pronoun in between "keep" and "in mind." Here are a few examples:
Have you ever accomplished two different tasks with one single effort? If so, you made efficient use of your time and killed two birds with one stone. This expression can be used in both personal and professional contexts. For example:
If you are putting something or someone on your schedule or to-do list with the knowledge that it may change later, you can say you will pencil it in.
You can use "it" to specify an event and "you" if you are talking to the person you are making the plans with.
Here are some examples of how to use this phrase:
If a conversation is going in a new direction and you want to return to a previous point, you can circle back.
In business, it’s very common for discussions to be directed away from the main point as new ideas, issues, or related topics come up. If you would like to refocus everyone’s attention to the main point of a discussion, you can circle back to it.
You can use this expression as a statement or a question. Here are some examples of how to use this phrase:
