Business English Idioms

To go "back to the drawing board" means to start 
something over and go back to the planning stage.

A "backroom deal" is an agreement or decision that 
is made without the public knowing about it.

A "ballpark number" is a very inexact estimate.

What happens in secret or not in front of the 
general public is said to happen "behind the 
scenes."

Everything that is involved with a particular 
situation is called "the big picture."

A "blue collar worker" is someone who works with 
his hands (manufacturing, construction, 
maintenance, etc.).

To do things "by the book" means to do things 
according to company policy or the law.

To "call it a day" means to decide to stop working 
for the day.

To "catch someone off guard" means to surprise 
someone by doing something that he or she was 
not expecting.

"A change of pace" is something different from a 
normal routine or schedule.