For better or worse, the American workplace is full of idioms. People dont begin a project. They get a project off the ground. They dont call each other to discuss progress. They touch base. Later, if the project is not going well, they dont end it. They pull the plug.
Speak Business English Like An American covers over 350 idioms and expressions youre likely to encounter in todays business world. Familiarize yourself with all of them. When they come up in conversation, youll be prepared to respond confidently instead of becoming silent while thinking to yourself, "Whats he talking about? Sales went through the roof? What roof?" As youre asking yourself these questions, the conversation is continuing without you. Suddenly youre left behind. Before you know it, youre out of the loop.
After getting to know the idioms, listen for them in everyday conversations and look for them in newspapers. Idioms are everywhere. Newspapers like the Wall Street Journal and business sections of daily newspapers are full of these idioms. Once you get a good feel for them, try them out on your colleagues and friends. Idioms will add color and excitement to your language. Using idioms will make you sound more like a native speaker.