Idioms Meetings

to cover (a lot of) ground

• To revisit old topics repeatedly

• To discuss a wide range of topics or make progress

• To cancel unnecessary agenda items

• To spend extra time on a single topic

to cut somebody short

• To interrupt someone while they are speaking

• To give someone more time to present their ideas

• To encourage someone to continue talking

• To summarize someone's points at the end of a discussion

for the record

• To express an unpopular opinion

• To emphasize that something is being said officially and should be noted

• To request that something be excluded from the meeting minutes

• To acknowledge that something is unimportant and can be ignored

get down to business

• To schedule a follow-up meeting

• To take a break and relax before continuing

• To start discussing the main topics or important matters

• To review previous meeting minutes in detail

go off at/on a tangent

• To discuss a topic that is closely related to the main agenda

• To take notes on key points discussed

• To deviate from the main topic and discuss something irrelevant

• To summarize the key points of a discussion

have a/some/no/little say

• To dominate the conversation and not let others speak

• To be allowed to express your opinion or contribute to the discussion

• To make the final decision on an issue

• To summarize the discussion at the end of the meeting

play by ear

• To follow a strict agenda without any flexibility

• To rely on written notes to guide the discussion

• To repeat the same procedure from previous meetings

• To decide how to proceed without a set plan, adjusting as the situation unfolds

put their heads together

• To argue over different viewpoints

• To collaboratively work on finding a solution or idea

• To take turns speaking without interruptions

• To divide tasks among team members

get/start the ball rolling

• To conclude the discussion and wrap up the meeting

• To delegate tasks to team members

• To initiate the process or start an activity

• To review decisions made in the previous meeting

loose ends

• Minor details or unfinished tasks that need to be addressed

• A summary of the main discussion points

• Conflicting opinions among team members

• The beginning of the meeting agenda