10 Business Idioms related to the Military and War
The business world is full of military and war idioms/expressions. Of course many people refer to business as war!
With that in mind, one of our teachers has picked 10 very common business idioms related to the military and war that you will definitely hear in an English speaking workplace!
1) Uphill battle
Meaning: Trying to do something which is very difficult, usually due to obstacles or circumstances (like fighting your enemy uphill!)
Example: ‘We are fighting an uphill battle to improve morale here with so many redundancies.’
2) Bite the bullet
Meaning: This phrase means to accept and continue through difficult circumstances:
Example: ‘Profits are very low at the moment, so we may have to bite the bullet and lose some staff’
3) Dodge the bullet
Meaning: Successfully avoid something negative happening to you ( like dodging/avoiding a bullet!)
Example: ‘The company that rejected me last month have just gone bankrupt, I think I dodged a bullet!’
4) Big guns
Meaning: In business, the big guns are the most influential and powerful people or companies.
Example: ‘In the fast food industry, it is difficult to compete with the big guns like McDonalds or KFC.’
5) With all guns blazing
Meaning: To do something with a lot of force or energy ( think of Rambo!)
Example: ‘We need to enter the new markets with all guns blazing if we’re going to capture market share’
6) Fight fire with fire
Meaning: To fight against your competition using exactly the same tactics as they are using to fight against you.
Example: ‘Our main competitor has just launched a very aggressive promotion campaign. Let’s fight fire with fire and do the same.’
7) In our sights
Meaning: a target which you aim to achieve and that you’re clearly focused on
Example: ‘The €4 million profit mark is in our sights, I think we can meet that target before the end of this quarter.’
8) Long shot
Meaning: there is only a very small chance that it will be successful ( like trying to shoot something from a great distance)
Example: ‘‘We may be ale to get our product on the shelves of the biggest supermarket chain in the country, but it’s a long shot.’
9) Take no prisoners
Meaning: to be merciless and ruthless
Example: “If we are to compete successfully in this market, we need to have a take no prisoners attitude”.
10) A mine field
Meaning: A situation that is very complicated with hidden dangers and problems (like a field full of mines!)
Example: “If we adopt that approach we could enter into a potential legal minefield. I’m not sure it would be worth it.”
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