Business English vocabulary consists of words, phrases and expressions commonly used in professional and corporate environments. It includes jargon, idioms and phrasal verbs that help you communicate effectively in meetings, emails and presentations.
Imagine sitting at the head of a boardroom table, all eyes being fixed on you, not in confusion, but in admiration. Every word you speak lands with authority. Using corporate speak, buzzwords and business jargon is easy for you.
Mastering this business English vocabulary will enable you to stand out from the crowd and effectively convey your message. Make your professional persona stand out with these popular business jargons and phrases.
Why is learning business English vocabulary important?
A strong grasp of English business jargon is essential for anyone who wishes to stand out from the crowd. It helps you to communicate clearly and confidently. It also helps you understand colleagues from diverse backgrounds and participate in professional discussions.
| Examples of Regular English and Business English | |
|---|---|
| Ask | Enquire |
| Begin | Initiate |
| Bargain | Negotiate |
| Go | Proceed |
| Sorry | Apologise |
| Start | Commence |
| Tell | Inform |
| Think | Consider |
| Idea | Concept |
Mastering this language helps you avoid misunderstandings. It also makes you look confident and professional, opening doors to new opportunities. Here is the list of common business phrases that will help you boost your communication skills:
1. Get the ball rolling
Meaning:
To “get the ball rolling” means to start something like a project, a discussion or an activity. It means you are setting things in motion and starting your project, encouraging others to join in.
Example:
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Let us get the ball rolling on the new marketing campaign this week so we can meet our launch deadline.
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We need to get the ball rolling on this project.
2. Bring to the table
Meaning:
To "bring to the table" refers to offering skills, ideas, or resources that benefit a team. It highlights the value each person contributes, emphasising collaboration and the importance of everyone’s unique strengths in achieving business goals.
Example:
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She brings experience to the table, which will be invaluable for this project.
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What do you bring to the table?
3. Be on the same page
Meaning:
To be on the same page means to share a common understanding and agreement about a situation. This is important in business to avoid confusion, ensure alignment and move forward efficiently.
Example:
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Before we get started, I want to make sure we are all on the same page about the project objectives.
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Try to get HR and employees on the same page.
4. Think outside the box
Meaning:
To "think outside the box" means to approach problems or tasks differently with innovation and unconventionality. Creative approach towards anything can help find unique solutions and staying competitive.
Example:
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We need to think outside the box to solve this problem and stand out from our competitors.
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Let’s think outside the box and bring a new app for our audience.
5. Low-hanging fruit
Meaning:
The term “low-hanging fruit” describes tasks or opportunities that are easy to accomplish or quick to achieve. In business, focusing on "low-hanging fruit" allows teams to make immediate progress and see quick wins before tackling more complex challenges.
Example:
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Let’s focus on the low-hanging fruit first to show some early results to our stakeholders.
6. Keep me in the loop
Meaning:
The phrase "Keep someone in the loop" means to keep them informed about developments and updates. It is important in business communication to ensure that everyone who needs to know is aware of changes and progress.
Example:
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Please keep me in the loop about any updates from the client.
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Hey boss, keeping you in the loop regarding the project update.
7. Get the green light
Meaning:
The phrase “get the green light” phrase means receiving official approval to proceed with a plan or project. In business English vocabulary, getting the green light is a crucial step before investing time and resources into an initiative.
Example:
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We got the green light from management to start the new project next month.
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The marketing team is waiting for the green light from the chief financial officer to resume the campaign.
8. Let’s circle back
Meaning:
"Let’s circle back" means returning to a topic or issue after some time, often when more information is available or more convenient. It is a polite way to postpone a discussion without dismissing it.
Example:
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Let’s circle back to this discussion after we have gathered more data.
9. Wrapping my head around
Meaning:
“Wrapping my head around” describes the process of understanding something complex or unfamiliar.
Example:
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I am still wrapping my head around the new software, but I am getting there.
10. Look at the big picture
Meaning:
The phrase “look at the big picture” phrase encourages considering the overall situation rather than focusing on small details.
Example:
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Let’s look at the big picture before deciding on the budget.
11. Play by the book
Meaning:
To "play by the book" means to strictly follow rules, policies or procedures. This is often necessary in regulated industries or when transparency and fairness are priorities.
Example:
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We have to play by the book during this audit to ensure compliance.
12. Call it a day
Meaning:
The phrase "Call it a day” indicates that work has been finished for the day. It is a way to acknowledge that enough has been done and it’s time to rest or move on.
Example:
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Let us call it a day it’s already 6pm.
13. Bring your ‘A’ game
Meaning:
This phrase encourages someone to perform at their highest level. In business, ‘Bring your 'A’ game’ means being fully prepared, focused and giving your best effort.
Example:
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It’s time to bring your A game to the big presentation.
14. Hit the ground running
Meaning:
The phrase “hit the ground running” means to begin a new task or job with energy and immediate productivity.
Example:
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We want the new hires to hit the ground running from their first day.
15. Ahead of the curve
Meaning:
Being "ahead of the curve" means being more advanced or innovative than competitors. In business, this often refers to adopting new technologies or strategies before they become mainstream.
Example:
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Our company is ahead of the curve when it comes to adopting green technologies.
16. Put all eggs in one basket
Meaning:
This phrase warns against concentrating all resources or efforts in one area, as it increases risk. Diversifying investments or strategies is often safer in business.
Example:
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It’s risky to put all your eggs in one basket by relying on a single client.
17. Go the extra mile
Meaning:
"Go the extra mile" means to try harder than expected. In the business world, this can lead to better results and stronger relationships with clients.
Example:
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She always goes the extra mile to ensure her clients are satisfied.
18. Hit the nail on the head
Meaning:
To "hit the nail on the head" means to describe or identify something exactly right. In business, it is used to praise someone for accurately diagnosing a situation or problem.
Example:
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You hit the nail on the head with your analysis of market trends.
19. A lot on my plate
Meaning:
The phrase “a lot on my plate” means having many tasks or responsibilities at the same time. In business English vocabulary it is often used to explain why someone is busy or unable to take on additional work.
Example:
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I have a lot on my plate this week with multiple project deadlines.
20. Break the ice
Meaning:
To 'break the ice' means to start a conversation that helps people feel more comfortable, especially at the beginning of meetings or events.
Example:
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Let us play a quick game to break the ice before we start the workshop.
21. Elephant in the room
Meaning:
The phrase “Elephant in the room” refers to an obvious problem or issue that everyone knows or sees but avoids discussing. The essence of the phrase emphasises that in order to have honest communication and effective problem solving, it is necessary to address the issue that appears to be ignored but is the most important one sat in front of everyone's eyes.
Example:
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We need to address the elephant in the room; our declining sales numbers.
22. Synergy
Meaning:
"Synergy" refers to enhanced results that come from people or departments working together. The idea is that combined efforts produce greater impact than individuals' efforts.
Example:
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There’s a lot of synergy between the sales and marketing teams, which helps us reach our targets faster.
23. Leverage
Meaning:
"Leverage" is about using resources, relationships or tools to gain strategic advantage. In business English vocabulary, it often means maximising what you already have to achieve better results.
Example:
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We can leverage our existing customer base to successfully launch the new product.
24. Streamline
Meaning:
To "streamline" a process means to simplify or improve it, making it more efficient and effective. Businesses often streamline workflows to save time, reduce costs and eliminate unnecessary steps.
Example:
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We need to streamline our workflow so that projects can be completed faster and with fewer errors.
25. Moving forward
Meaning:
"Moving forward” as a phrase is used to indicate future actions or decisions. It is a way to transition from past discussions to what will happen next, keeping everyone focused on progress and continuous improvement.
Example:
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Moving forward, let’s schedule weekly check-ins to ensure we stay on track.
26. Long shot
Meaning:
A "long shot" is an attempt that has a low probability of success but is still worth trying. In business, taking calculated risks can sometimes lead to big rewards.
Example:
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It’s a long shot, but if we land this client it could transform our business.
27. Kick Off
Meaning:
To "Kick off" means to start an event, project or meeting. It sets the tone for what is to come and signals the official beginning of a new phase.
Example:
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We will kick off the training session at 10am sharp.
28. Touch base
Meaning:
To "touch base" means to make brief contact with someone to discuss updates or check in. Business English vocabulary uses it to maintain communication without a lengthy meeting.
Example:
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Let’s touch base next week to review our progress.
29. Gain momentum
Meaning:
When something "gains momentum”, it starts to move faster or become more successful. In business, gaining momentum is key to achieving goals and sustaining progress.
Example:
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The new marketing strategy has started to gain momentum and attract more customers.
30. Start from scratch
Meaning:
To "start from scratch" means to begin a project from the very beginning, without using any previous work. This often happens when previous attempts have been unsuccessful or when a fresh approach is needed.
Example:
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We will have to start from scratch with the new website design.
Tips on improving your business communication
The following are some popular yet effective tips for improving your corporate communication and acing the business world:
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Read business articles: Regularly reading business news and articles helps you stay updated on current trends and familiarises you with new business English vocabulary and English business jargon.
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Practice speaking: Join business English classes or conversation groups to practice using new phrases in real-life scenarios.
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Watch business presentations: Observe how professionals use business English vocabulary in meetings, presentations and interviews.
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Use flashcards: Create flashcards for new words and review them regularly to reinforce your memory.
If you are serious about mastering business English vocabulary, consider attending English Path’s Business English class. It can help you communicate better, develop smarter ideas and accelerate your career. Take the next step – your future self will thank you.
FAQs about popular business English words
How do you define business English vocabulary?
Why is learning business English vocabulary important for my career?
Mastering business English vocabulary enables clear communication helps you build professional relationships and boosts your confidence in international business settings. It also opens doors to global opportunities and career advancement.
How can I improve my business vocabulary?
Begin by learning common phrases and jargon used in your industry, practice speaking and writing regularly and engage with business news, podcasts, or classes focused on business English.
Can non-native English speakers learn business English vocabulary easily?
Yes, with consistent practice, exposure and guidance (such as attending business English classes or using vocabulary exercises) non-native speakers can master business English jargon effectively.
What are some tips remembering and using business phrases confidently?
If you wish to improve your pronunciation and usage of English, use flashcards, practice in real conversations, listen to business presentations, and do not hesitate to ask for feedback.