Lesson 07 · Business

Idioms about business

Learn four useful English idioms about business through slow listening, clear examples, multilingual support and retrieval practice.

LEVEL 2B112 min

Meet the idioms in context

Read once for the general meaning. Then read again and notice the highlighted expressions.

Speed

0:000:00

Choose 0.50× or 0.75× for slow listening. The pitch stays natural. Voices generated with Aura-2.

Maya Can we touch base about the client presentation?

Leo Of course. The bottom line is that they want a simpler proposal.

Maya Then let’s go the extra mile and give them two clear options.

Leo Agreed. Their last supplier raised the bar, so expectations are high.

Maya I’ll simplify the numbers and you can revise the examples.

Leo Perfect. Let’s touch base again at four.

Open your toolbox

Meaning, tone, natural grammar and a memory hook for every expression.

the bottom line

neutralspoken & writtenBrE & AmE

the most important fact or final financial result

Picture it: Build a clear mental picture from “the bottom line” and connect it to this meaning: the most important fact or final financial result.

The bottom line is that sales are improving.
What is the bottom line for this quarter?

Common mistake: Treat “the bottom line” as a fixed expression. Notice its exact word order in the examples.

go the extra mile

neutralspoken & writtenBrE & AmE

make more effort than is expected

Picture it: Build a clear mental picture from “go the extra mile” and connect it to this meaning: make more effort than is expected.

Our support team always goes the extra mile.
She went the extra mile for the client.

Common mistake: Treat “go the extra mile” as a fixed expression. Notice its exact word order in the examples.

raise the bar

neutralspoken & writtenBrE & AmE

set a higher standard

Picture it: Build a clear mental picture from “raise the bar” and connect it to this meaning: set a higher standard.

This product raises the bar for the whole industry.
Her performance really raised the bar.

Common mistake: Treat “raise the bar” as a fixed expression. Notice its exact word order in the examples.

touch base

neutralspoken & writtenBrE & AmE

make brief contact to exchange information

Picture it: Build a clear mental picture from “touch base” and connect it to this meaning: make brief contact to exchange information.

Let’s touch base again on Monday.
I’ll touch base with the supplier this afternoon.

Common mistake: Treat “touch base” as a fixed expression. Notice its exact word order in the examples.

Idioms about business

Meet the idioms in context

Open your toolbox

the bottom line

go the extra mile

raise the bar

touch base

Practise for retrieval

1 · Match the meaning

2 · Complete the sentence

3 · Choose and notice

4 · Over to you

Take the lesson with you

Lesson, practice and answer key

Dialogue and example sentences

Meet the idioms in context

Open your toolbox

the bottom line

go the extra mile

raise the bar

touch base

Practise for retrieval

1 · Match the meaning

2 · Complete the sentence

3 · Choose and notice

4 · Over to you

Take the lesson with you

Lesson, practice and answer key

Dialogue and example sentences

Create your free toolbox