Idioms

Game-changer

By Pamela on May 3 2019

Have you ever worked on a project that completely changed the way your business operates? If that project was the outstanding achievement that your company needed to grow, it was a game-changer.

Up in the air

By Pamela on April 15 2019

If you’re working on resolving an issue but the outcome is still uncertain, you can say it’s up in the air. This means that there are still actions or decisions that need to be made before it is settled.

That train has left the station.

By Di on April 8 2019

Have you ever asked to add something to a project that's already finished? You might have heard, "I'm sorry, but that train has left the station." That means you can't change it now because it's been finalized.

Most of the time, this phrase is used in informal conversation.

Here are some examples:

Draw up

By Di on April 1 2019
Hands drawing up a contract

The words "draw" and "up" take on a new meaning when you put them together. The idiomatic phrase "draw up" is usually used to talk about plans or contracts. It means to prepare a written document with details of a plan or arrangement. 

Draw up can be used in any tense. Here are some examples of how to use it:

Across the board

By Di on March 11 2019
Organization network analysis on a presentation board

If something applies to everyone or everything, it's across the board. It's most often used to talk about money. 

Here are some examples of how to use this phrase:

Cut a deal

By Di on March 4 2019
Man holding out his hand for a handshake to cut a deal

When two people or organizations negotiate an agreement so that each one profits, they cut a deal. You each have to give up, or "cut", some of what you want so that you can both make some profit, even if it's not as much as you wanted.

Here are a couple of examples:

At a loss

By Di on February 25 2019
Man looking confused and at a loss

Have you ever felt very confused about what to say or do? That's the perfect time to use the phrase "at a loss". To be at a loss means that you don't know what action to take or thing to say in a particular situation. 

It is often followed by "for" but can be used alone: