Business Idioms

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trade on

Meaning: To use something to your advantage, especially in a way that feels unfair or manipulative.

Example: He tried to trade on people's emotions to get their support. Read more ➺


sweeten the deal

Meaning: To make an offer more attractive by adding extra benefits or incentives.

Example: The car dealer decided to sweeten the deal by including free servicing for two years. Read more ➺


hard yards

Meaning: Significant effort or hard work, especially in challenging tasks.

Example: She's already done the hard yards to establish her business. Read more ➺


touch base

Meaning: Make contact briefly to update or check in.

Example: Let's touch base next week about the marketing plan. Read more ➺


circle back

Meaning: Return to a previous location or state: To go back to a place or condition one was in before.

Example: I circled back to the house to get my briefcase Read more ➺


bait and switch

Meaning: A deceptive tactic where a low-priced item is advertised but replaced with a costlier product.

Example: The store’s bait and switch left many customers frustrated when the advertised deal was no longer available. Read more ➺


sharp practice

Meaning: A way of behaving in business that is dishonest but not illegal.

Example: The contractor's sharp practice left the homeowners with unexpected costs. Read more ➺


kickback

Meaning: Bribery Payment: An illicit payment, often disguised as a reward, given to someone in return for facilitating a transaction, especially to influence an outcome favorably.

Example: The contractor offered a kickback to secure the building project. Read more ➺


a penny saved is a penny earned

Meaning: savings prove to be just as valuable as earning money.

Example: She cut back on her daily coffee purchases, adhering to the principle that a penny saved is a penny earned. Read more ➺


ringing off the hook

Meaning: being overwhelmed with inquiries, demands, or requests.

Example: As soon as we announced the sale, our phones began ringing off the hook with orders. Read more ➺


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