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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: For a good journalist, chasing a story through the night is all in a day's work.
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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: By Tuesday, the whole team was in harness and catching up on emails.
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to [mix] business with pleasure

to combine enjoyable activities with one's work

Ex: The company retreat lets employees mix business with pleasure in a relaxed setting.
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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: She realized the rat race had left her with money but no real joy .
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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: We can catch up tonight, but let's not talk shop.
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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: The left hand does not know what the right hand is doing, so employees keep getting mixed messages.
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red tape
red tape
[noun]

official procedures or rules that are unnecessary and time-consuming

Ex: The charity wanted to help quickly , but red tape slowed everything down .
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to [close] the books

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

Ex: The accountant stayed late to close the books for the year.
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blood on the carpet

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

Ex: After the investigation, there was blood on the carpet in senior management.
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top dog
top dog
[noun]

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

Ex: When the founder retired , his son became the top dog.
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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: She was not the official president , but she was the big mama behind the scenes .
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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: The old firms are watching the new kid on the block very closely.
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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: He sat at the same corner table every day until he became 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: He runs a tight ship, so deadlines are rarely 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: The consultant nearly fell out with his bread and butter by criticizing the client in public.
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golden years

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

Ex: They planned their golden years around family , hobbies , and quiet mornings .
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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 realized the dead-end job was draining his energy and ambition .
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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: Even on vacation, the architect spent hours studying old buildings, a classic 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: Fresh blood in the design team made the brand feel young again.
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