Are you having problems understanding people at work?
In English, phrases like “get the ball rolling” or “keep you in the loop” are very common in the business world.
Using idioms and phrases like this help us develop rapport with each other.
What is rapport?
Rapport is defined as
“a close and harmonious relationship in which the people or groups concerned understand each other’s feelings or ideas and communicate well.”
Sounds good, doesn’t it? But when you’re living and working in a land of a foreign language, it can feel like there’s a wall between you and the native speakers.
Let’s try to break down that wall by uncovering the meaning of these common phrases.
Today Nick, a native English speaker and entrepreneur, has a lesson for you on 6 ENGLISH PHRASES FOR THE OFFICE 
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“TOUCH BASE”
This is a very common phrase used in business or work situations. It means to connect with someone to talk about a project or work related topic. We often use it to check or update the progress of a project with a work colleague.
For example:
“Let’s touch base tomorrow to arrange the next phase of the project”
“I’ll touch base with you tomorrow and let you know how I’m going”
-
“FILL ME IN”
To FILL SOMEONE IN means to inform someone more fully of a matter or topic.
We often use this at work to tell someone the details of a meeting or update the colleague on some information he or she missed while absent.
For example;
“I missed the meeting yesterday. Can you fill me in?”
“We had some great news about a new client yesterday. John will fill you in after lunch”
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“GET THE BALL ROLLING”
Your boss or manager will often say this at the beginning of a meeting, workshop or project.
To get the ball rolling means to get a process started or just to begin something (like a meeting)
For example:
“I’ll get the ball rolling by introducing our new team”
“I’m hoping to get the ball rolling on this new project by next week”
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“IN A NUTSHELL”
IN A NUTSHELL means in a few words. We use this when we want to summarise something briefly.
When you have a lot of information but you just want to give someone the general point, you can say: “In a nutshell……”
For example;
“In a nutshell, we need to increase our customer base by 50%”
“I can explain it you in a nutshell”
-
“ON THE SAME PAGE”
This phrase is very common and is often used when dealing with colleagues or clients. If you are ON THE SAME PAGE as someone it means you are in agreement. You have the same understanding or amount of knowledge.
For example:
“Let’s arrange a meeting about this project to make sure we are on the same page”
“It is very important that we are all on the same page with this”
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“KEEP YOU IN THE LOOP” / “BE IN THE LOOP”
To KEEP someone IN THE LOOP or BE IN THE LOOP means to be part of a group that is kept up to date with information about something.
For example;
“Send me an email and I’ll keep you in the loop”
“I don’t know what’s happening with the new Johnson deal as I’m not in the loop”
So there you have 6 commonly used phrases for business and work situations.
But don’t stop there! Now make these part of your life!
- Write them down in your notebook.
- Keep them with you.
- Make a sentence.
- Try to HEAR them in conversations and take a chance and use them when speaking!
You’ll feel great when someone understands you and that is one step closer to breaking down that wall!
Photo credits
- 5 Benefits of Journaling for English - September 23, 2020
- 3 Features of Australian Pronunciation - March 2, 2019
- 4 Idioms For Work - February 22, 2019
I use one if these at least once a day without realizing the true meaning or even how a foreigner would fail to understand what I am talking about.
Considering I work with people from different cultures almost daily, I should be note aware.
Thanks so much for this
I remember having a cool drink with an Italian friend and saying “That hit’s the spot!” He was baffled as to what I meant and after some translations back and forth, he said “Goes to the place?” With the international work teams we have in our offices and online, this is a very helpful article. Thank you!
Thank you for your comment! I’m glad it was useful.
I so appreciate this article. Even as a native English speaker, I find that using these phrase just reinforce directness and clarity when you’re communicating with your peers. Thanks!