Business English Idioms

Back to square one

• 
  Everything that is involved with a particular situation

• 
  To do things exactly according to the rules or the law

• To start something over again because a previous attempt failed

• To dominate a particular market

Go the extra mile

• 
  To do more than what people expect

• 
  To be in charge or in control of a situation

• To start something (e.g. a project or a business)

• 
  To be in agreement about something

Making money working for an investment bank is a no-brainer.

• 
  Something isn’t expected to work out

• To give something one’s full attention and to not lose focus

• 
  To do or think about things in the wrong order

• Something that is really obvious or easy

The new law is going to create a lot of red tape.

• 
  To be in the same difficult situation as someone else

• 
  Official rules and processes that seem excessive and unnecessary

• 
  To end a relationship

• A situation where success is achieved without difficulties

We told our auditors that we do everything by the book.

• 
  To dominate a particular market

• 
  To do things exactly according to the rules or the law

• A very inexact estimate

• To be more successful than the competition