common business idioms (1)

yes man

A "yes man" is someone who always agrees with his or her superiors.

The company isn't looking to hire someone who is going to try to make a lot of changes. They're just looking for a yes man.

win-win situation

A "win-win situation" is a situation where everyone involved gains something.

We were happy to get the contract, and they were happy to get such a good price. It was a win-win situation.

up in the air

If something is undecided, it is "up in the air."

We're looking for a test market right now, but nothing has been decided yet. Everything's still up in the air.

under the table

Something done secretly (and usually illegally) in the business world is done "under the table."

To avoid paying taxes, they paid some of their employees under the table.

think outside the box

To "think outside the box" means to think of creative, unconventional solutions instead of common ones.

Creating a product that no one has sold before is an example of thinking outside the box.

think big

To "think big" means to have ambitious goals and big plans for the future.

I'm not content with just opening one or two more stores. I'm thinking big -- I think we can open 10 stores in the next five years.

call it a day

To "call it a day" means to decide to stop working for the day.

Well, John, it's 7:00 and I'm getting hungry. How about we call it a day?