business

Idioms (28)

• do the job Informal · CEFR B1
  to be good enough to achieve the desired result
• shut up shop Informal · CEFR B2
  to stop working for the day or to close a business permanently
• fall into place Informal · CEFR B2
  to become clear or to work out well after a period of confusion
• on the side Informal · CEFR B2
  in addition to one's main job or activity, often secretly
• shift gears Informal · CEFR B2
  to change your approach, activity, or pace
• someone's bread and butter Informal · CEFR B2
  the main source of someone's income or basic work
• cash cow Neutral · CEFR B2
  a product or business that generates steady, reliable profit with little further investment
• golden parachute Neutral · CEFR C1
  a generous severance package guaranteed to an executive who loses their job, typically after a takeover
• poison pill Neutral · CEFR C1
  a defensive tactic a company uses to make a hostile takeover unattractive
• white knight Neutral · CEFR C1
  a friendly company or investor that rescues a target from a hostile takeover
• war chest Neutral · CEFR B2
  money kept in reserve for a future fight, expansion, or acquisition
• keep the lights on Neutral · CEFR B2
  to do just enough work to keep a business running, without growth or improvement
• break even Neutral · CEFR B2
  to reach the point where revenue equals costs — no profit, no loss
• corner the market Neutral · CEFR C1
  to gain such control of a market that competitors cannot operate in it
• golden goose Neutral · CEFR C1
  a reliable source of money that must be protected, not exploited to death
• white elephant Neutral · CEFR C1
  an expensive, burdensome asset that is hard to maintain and brings no benefit
• sacred cow Neutral · CEFR C1
  something protected from criticism or change, often irrationally
• go belly up Informal · CEFR C1
  to fail completely, especially of a business
• change hands Neutral · CEFR B2
  to pass from one owner to another
• small print Neutral · CEFR B2
  important detailed conditions that are easy to overlook in an agreement or advertisement
• over the counter Neutral · CEFR B2
  obtainable without a prescription or other formal authorization
• go to the wall Neutral · CEFR C1
  collapse or fail completely, particularly as a business or financial venture
• make a killing Informal · CEFR B2
  to earn a very large amount of money quickly
• sign on the dotted line Neutral · CEFR B1
  to commit yourself formally by signing an agreement
• marriage of convenience Neutral · CEFR B2
  an often temporary alliance entered for practical advantage, without emotional attachment or genuine common purpose
• laugh all the way to the bank Neutral · CEFR B2
  to enjoy a large, easy profit, especially from something others consider unfair or undeserving
• sell like hot cakes Neutral · CEFR B1
  to be bought rapidly and in great numbers because many people want it
• money talks Neutral · CEFR B2
  financial power can strongly influence what people decide or do