Slang Expressions, Phrases & Idioms About Work in English

Work Idioms: Slang Expressions

to fire someone

Jane got axed because she was constantly stealing from the shop.

Ivan was axed because he was found using social networks during working hours.

to start over again from the beginning

I’ve got to go back to the drawing board. My paper was not approved.

I worked really hard on this project, but my boss rejected it, so now it’s back to the drawing board.

to go back to work after a break, (and it implies that there is hard work to be completed)

It was nice to see you, but now I’ve got to get back to the salt mines. The customers won’t wait.

This idiom refers to a working-class employee who does manual labor or works with his hands (as opposed to office work or management)

This place is full of blue collar workers.

My sister is a pink collar worker. She

This is a slang word used for a person that has no skills or does nothing to produce income for a business.

I believe that John is a complete deadwood to the company. He should be axed.

to work very hard

I have busted my buns for an entire week on this project.

to get a promotion or a raise in salary

I got bumped up to vice president.

Congratulate me! I got bumped up, so now I can afford to buy a nice car for myself.

to focus on a very narrow segment or area of work or business that not everyone can do

I have carved out a niche for myself in this project.

This slang expression describes a person who sits at a desk all day at work and isn’t very active.

I am tired of being a desk jockey. I think I need to find a new job.

Describes cruel world where only the strong survive

“Have you heard about Joseph’s promotion? It’s not fair!”
“It’s a dog eat dog world, you know.”

unreliable, untrustworthy businesses that conduct dishonest business practices and try to make money quickly and easily

Hey, don’t buy any products from that company. It’s one of those fly-by-night operations.