10 Questions
What does 'mean business' mean?
To be serious and determined about something
What does 'pass the buck' mean?
To avoid taking responsibility for a task
What does 'not going to fly' mean?
To be rejected or unacceptable
What does 'mind one's own business' mean?
To not interfere in someone else's affairs
What does 'one-horse race' mean?
A competition with only one participant
In a meeting, if two people are talking but not understanding each other, it's like they're:
talking at cross-purposes
If someone avoids taking responsibility for a task, they are likely to:
pass the buck
If a company is the only one providing a certain service in a particular area, it's like a:
one-horse race
When someone is serious about achieving their goals, they are said to:
mean business
If someone is not interfering in someone else's affairs, they are:
minding their own business
Study Notes
Business Idioms
- "Get down to business" means to focus on the main task or topic at hand, avoiding unnecessary distractions or small talk.
Meaning and Communication
- "Mean business" implies being serious and determined about something, often with a sense of intensity or urgency.
- "Talk business" refers to discussing or conducting business matters, often in a formal or professional setting.
- "Talk at cross-purposes" describes a situation where two or more people are having a conversation, but they misunderstand or misinterpret each other's intentions or points.
Responsibility and Accountability
- "Pass the buck" is an idiomatic expression that means to avoid taking responsibility or shift the blame onto someone else.
- "Mind one's own business" means to focus on one's own affairs and not interfere with others, respecting their autonomy and privacy.
Competition and Acceptability
- "One-horse race" is a metaphor that describes a situation with little or no competition, where one entity or option is clearly dominant.
- "Not going to fly" is an idiomatic expression that means something is not acceptable or will not be approved.
Collaboration and Information
- "Keep someone in the loop" means to keep them informed and updated about a particular situation or project, ensuring they are aware of any developments or changes.
Business Idioms
- "Get down to business" means to focus on the main task or topic at hand, avoiding unnecessary distractions or small talk.
Meaning and Communication
- "Mean business" implies being serious and determined about something, often with a sense of intensity or urgency.
- "Talk business" refers to discussing or conducting business matters, often in a formal or professional setting.
- "Talk at cross-purposes" describes a situation where two or more people are having a conversation, but they misunderstand or misinterpret each other's intentions or points.
Responsibility and Accountability
- "Pass the buck" is an idiomatic expression that means to avoid taking responsibility or shift the blame onto someone else.
- "Mind one's own business" means to focus on one's own affairs and not interfere with others, respecting their autonomy and privacy.
Competition and Acceptability
- "One-horse race" is a metaphor that describes a situation with little or no competition, where one entity or option is clearly dominant.
- "Not going to fly" is an idiomatic expression that means something is not acceptable or will not be approved.
Collaboration and Information
- "Keep someone in the loop" means to keep them informed and updated about a particular situation or project, ensuring they are aware of any developments or changes.
Learn the meanings and uses of common business idioms and phrases related to communication, focus, and determination.
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