Business English Idioms: Sound Like a Natural at Work!

If a colleague says, 'Please run it by the manager before sending the email,' what do they want you to do?

Show it to the manager to get their opinion or approval.

Delete the email and wait for the manager to write a new one.

Physically deliver the printed email to the manager's desk.

Hide the email from the manager until it is finished.

Which phrase is commonly used to mean "contact me" in a casual office setting?

If you "run into" any issues while installing the software, what has happened?

You have physically crashed into the computer equipment.

You have encountered or experienced unexpected problems.

You have finished the installation faster than expected.

You have decided to stop working on the software.

What does it mean to "circle back" to a topic later in a meeting?

To make sure all the chairs are arranged in a circle in the meeting room.

To draw a circle on the whiteboard around a specific topic.

To return to a subject or follow up on it at a later time.

To review the meeting notes that have been discussed during that time.

When a manager says, "We need to touch base next week," what are they suggesting?

A brief meeting or conversation to exchange information.

A physical inspection of the office building's foundation.

Playing a game of baseball with the department.

Traveling to a different company headquarters.

If you are asked to "fill in for" a colleague, what are you doing?

Writing a biography about that colleague's life.

Reporting the colleague's mistakes to the supervisor.

Temporarily doing their job while they are away.

Completing a form on behalf of the colleague.

What does a coworker mean when they ask you to "keep them in the loop" on an email thread?

Include them in communication so they stay informed.

Send them a circular attachment or image.

Teach them how to use the email software.

If a project is "on the back burner," what is its current status?

It is the most important task and must be finished today.

It has been permanently canceled and deleted.

It is currently a low priority and will be dealt with later.

It is being worked on by the kitchen staff.

What are you doing if you "put off" a meeting until Friday?

Making the meeting shorter and more efficient.

In a workplace, what does it mean to "get the ball rolling"?

To bring sports equipment into the office.