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Business English

Essential Business English Phrases: Expressions for Every Professional Situation

Business English idioms make the difference between sounding correct and sounding professional. You know the feeling -- you're in a meeting with international colleagues, understanding every single word, but the meaning of the phrase remains unclear. 'Get the ball rolling', 'touch base', 'think outside the box' -- these expressions are part of everyday life in English-speaking companies. In this interactive lesson, you'll master the most important business idioms, avoid typical translation traps, and learn phrasal verbs for meetings, emails, and negotiations.

James Simmonds9 February 202620 min
Essential Business English Phrases: Expressions for Every Professional Situation

Topics

business-englishredewendungenidiomsB1-B2

Learning Content

Why Business Idioms Matter

In international business, grammatically correct English alone isn't enough. The right idioms and expressions make the difference between sounding competent and truly convincing. German speakers face a particular challenge: many German idioms cannot be translated literally into English.

This lesson helps you confidently use the most common business idioms. You will learn:

  • Over 12 essential expressions for meetings, emails, and negotiations
  • The most dangerous false friends that German business people confuse
  • Phrasal verbs that make your Business English sound more natural
  • Small talk phrases and meeting expressions for everyday professional life
  • Cultural differences between German directness and Anglo-Saxon politeness

With interactive exercises, a vocabulary trainer, and a final quiz, you'll reinforce what you've learned immediately. Level: B1-B2.

Includes interactive exercises and final test. Duration: approx. 20 minutes.

Email Vocabulary

0/6 learned

I am writing to...

Click to reveal

Please find attached...

Click to reveal

Could you please...

Click to reveal

I look forward to...

Click to reveal

Kind regards

Click to reveal

As discussed...

Click to reveal

Warning

Watch out for false friends! Many German expressions sound English but mean something different. 'Become' doesn't mean 'bekommen' (it means 'to turn into'). 'Eventually' doesn't mean 'eventuell' (it means 'finally/in the end'). 'Actual' doesn't mean 'aktuell' (it means 'real/true'). In business contexts, such mistakes can be embarrassing!

Exercise 1: Complete the Idioms

1/50

Let's ______ base next week to discuss the results.

Kontakt aufnehmen = ___ base

Exercise 2: True or False?

1/50

'To table a discussion' means in American English to postpone a topic.

Phrasal Verbs in Business Contexts

Phrasal Verbs: The Secret Weapon in Business English

Phrasal verbs are verbs combined with a particle (preposition or adverb) that create a new meaning. They are omnipresent in spoken Business English and make your language sound more natural.

Many German business professionals avoid phrasal verbs because they feel unsure about them. This often sounds too formal or "textbook-like". Compare:

  • Too formal: "We need to postpone the meeting."
  • More natural: "We need to put off the meeting."
  • Too formal: "Please continue with the presentation."
  • More natural: "Please carry on with the presentation."

Important: In very formal written contexts (e.g., contracts), the Latin equivalents are often more appropriate. In conversations, emails, and meetings, however, phrasal verbs sound more natural and approachable.

Game: Word Scramble - Business Vocabulary

Word 1 / 5Business
Click the letters

Matching: Idiom to Meaning

0 / 6 pairs

Click on a word on the left and then on the matching translation on the right.

Small Talk and Meeting Phrases

Small Talk and Meeting Phrases for Business

Good small talk is essential in international business. While German professionals often get straight to the point, English-speaking colleagues expect a brief informal conversation first. This isn't wasted time -- it builds trust.

Suitable small talk topics:

  • Travel: "How was your journey? Did you have a good trip?"
  • Weather: "Lovely weather we're having, isn't it?"
  • Weekend: "Did you have a good weekend?"
  • Current events: "Did you see the news about...?"

Taboo topics in English-speaking business small talk: Salary, politics, religion, personal health issues, age.

In meetings, set phrases help you introduce your contributions professionally:

  • "I'd like to raise a point about..."
  • "If I may add something here..."
  • "Could we move on to the next item?"

Sentence Builder: Meeting Phrases

0:00
Sentence 1 / 40 correct

Translation: Ich möchte einen Punkt zum Budget ansprechen.

Click the words below to build the sentence

Translation: Business Phrases

Sentence 1 / 40 correct

German

Bitte halten Sie mich auf dem Laufenden.

'auf dem Laufenden halten' = keep in the ___

Cultural Note

Cultural Note: In Anglo-American business culture, criticism is often expressed indirectly. Instead of 'That's wrong', people say: 'I see your point, but perhaps we could look at it from a different angle.' German directness can sometimes be perceived as rude. Practice introducing your opinions with "softening phrases" like 'I'm afraid...', 'With all due respect...' or 'I see what you mean, however...'.

Exercise 3: Choose the Right Expression

1/40

Your colleague isn't getting to the point in a meeting. You want to politely say they should be brief. What do you say?

Final Quiz: Business English Idioms

Question 1 / 7

What does 'to go the extra mile' mean?

More Lessons

Running Meetings in English with Confidence

Running Meetings in English with Confidence

30 min
English Proofreading for Academic Texts: What You Need to Know

English Proofreading for Academic Texts: What You Need to Know

25 min
Academic Writing in English: The Complete Guide for German Students

Academic Writing in English: The Complete Guide for German Students

30 min

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G

Language Rule: Idioms vs. Literal Translation

Rule

Idioms are fixed expressions whose meaning cannot be derived from the individual words. In Business English, they are essential for sounding natural and competent. Never translate idioms literally from German -- instead, learn the English equivalent.

Examples

"Let's get the ball rolling on the new project."

Correct! 'Get the ball rolling' = to start something, get things moving.

"We need to pull on the same string."

Wrong! This is a literal translation from German. Correct: 'We need to be on the same page' or 'pull together'.

"I'll touch base with the client tomorrow."

Correct! 'Touch base' = to briefly contact someone, check in.

"That's not my beer."

Wrong! The German 'Das ist nicht mein Bier' becomes 'That's not my cup of tea' or 'That's not my problem/responsibility'.

Tips

  • •Remember: German idioms can almost never be translated 1:1
  • •Always learn idioms in context, not in isolation
  • •Use idioms sparingly -- one or two per conversation sounds natural

The 12 Most Important Business Expressions

12 words

get the ball rolling

To start something, to get things moving

Let's get the ball rolling on the new marketing campaign.

touch base

To briefly contact someone to discuss something

I'll touch base with the team after lunch.

on the same page

To agree, to have the same understanding

Before we proceed, let's make sure we're on the same page.

the bottom line

The essential point, the most important factor (also: profit)

The bottom line is, we can't afford to lose this client.

think outside the box

To think creatively, unconventionally

We need to think outside the box to solve this problem.

keep someone in the loop

To keep someone informed about developments

Please keep me in the loop on the project status.

bring to the table

To contribute, to offer (skills, ideas)

What does the new candidate bring to the table?

follow up on

To pursue further, to check on progress

I'll follow up on the client's request this afternoon.

put off

To postpone, to delay

We had to put off the meeting until next week.

wrap up

To finish, to conclude

Let's wrap up this meeting -- we've covered all the key points.

run something by someone

To discuss something with someone for feedback

Can I run this idea by you before the presentation?

beat around the bush

To avoid getting to the point, to speak indirectly

Don't beat around the bush -- tell me what the problem is.