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Work & Money - Office Life & Work

Explore English idioms regarding office life and work with examples like "run a tight ship" and "in harness".

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English idioms related to Work & Money
all in a day's work

something that is a typical or normal part of a person's job

Ex: Rescuing three hikers in the snowstorm was all in a day's work for the mountain team. 
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in harness
in harness
[phrase]

used when one is back to doing one's job and normal activities at work, particularly after a leave or vacation

Ex: After two weeks off, she was back in harness on Monday. 
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to [mix] business with pleasure

to combine enjoyable activities with one's work

Ex: I had a conference in Paris, so I mixed business with pleasure and stayed for the weekend. 
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rat race
rat race
[noun]

a draining and stressful lifestyle that consists of constantly competing with others for success, wealth, power, etc. and so leaving no room for rest and pleasure

Ex: He left the rat race and moved to a small town by the sea. 
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to [talk] shop
to talk shop
[phrase]

to have work-related discussions outside of work, particularly when it is annoying or inappropriate

Ex: Please don't talk shop at dinner; I want to relax. 
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the right (hand|) does not know what the left (hand|) [is] doing

used to refer to the lack of communication between the different parts of an organization about their roles or activities that leads to confusion and dysfunction

Ex: In this company, the right hand does not know what the left hand is doing. 
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red tape
red tape
[noun]

official procedures or rules that are unnecessary and time-consuming

Ex: The project was delayed for months because of red tape. 
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to [close] the books

to no longer make new entries when an accounting period is at its end

Ex: The finance team will close the books at the end of the month. 
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blood on the carpet

conflict between the people of an organization or company that leads to unpleasant situations

Ex: There was blood on the carpet after the board rejected the CEO's plan. 
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top dog
top dog
[noun]

a person who holds the highest rank in a particular group or organization

Ex: After the merger, she became the top dog in the company. 
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big mama
big mama
[noun]

a way of referring to the woman who is a leading member or the founder of an organization, movement, etc.

Ex: Everyone saw her as the big mama of the movement. 
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new kid on the block

a person or thing that has recently joined a specific place, field, company, group, etc.

Ex: As the new kid on the block, she had to prove herself quickly. 
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part of the furniture

something or someone that has been at a place for so long that one no longer notices them

Ex: After thirty years at the café, George was part of the furniture. 
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to [run] a tight ship

to control and manage an organization, group, business, etc. in a manner that is very strict, efficient, and effective

Ex: The new manager runs a tight ship, so nothing gets missed. 
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to [fall] out with {one's} bread and butter

to have a disagreement with someone or something that provides one's primary source of income or livelihood

Ex: He fell out with his bread and butter when he insulted his biggest client. 
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golden years

a period of time in which someone no longer works due to old age

Ex: They moved to the coast to enjoy their golden years. 
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dead-end job

a job that does not provide one with the chance to advance to a better position or job

Ex: He left the dead-end job and went back to school. 
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busman's holiday

a period of leisure or vacation spent engaging in activities related to one's job or profession

Ex: For the chef, visiting restaurants on vacation was a busman's holiday. 
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(new|fresh) blood
new blood
[phrase]

people who are newly employed or admitted in order to provide the group, company, etc. with enthusiasm and new and exciting ideas

Ex: The company needs new blood if it wants to stay competitive. 
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to [cut] corners

to do something in a quick, cheap, or careless way that lowers quality

Ex: The builder cut corners to save money. 
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