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5 phrases to make your English sound awesome at work...
Business English for Italian Professionals
Daniel Tanner
May 04, 2025
The English Breakfast ☕️
Hi there,
Eccoci qua con la nuova edizione di The English Breakfast—la rubrica settimanale di consigli e trucchi di Business English pensata appositamente per i professionisti italiani.
Versati una bella tazza di caffè e mettiamoci all’opera…in inglese naturalmente! 😎 ☕️
Both of these dialogues say basically the same thing, but would you understand them both?
A. “The client said no, so we have to start from the beginning again. They’ve asked for something more original so we’ll have be more inventive.”
B. “The client said no, so we’re back to square one. They’ve asked for something more original so we’ll have to think outside the box on this one.”
If dialogue B sounds a bit weird to you, don’t worry, it’s because it uses idioms!
Idioms are common phrases that are used in specific situations. They can feel tricky—but the right ones make your English sound more natural and authentic. Here are 5 simple idioms you can start using at work tomorrow (without sounding like you’re trying too hard).
1. Back to square one
🔁 Meaning: You have to start again from the beginning.
💬 Example:
“The client rejected the proposal, so we’re back to square one.”
2. Think outside the box
💡 Meaning: Be creative and come up with new ideas.
💬 Example:
“We need to think outside the box if we want to solve this.”
3. In the loop
🔔 Meaning: Informed and up to date.
💬 Example:
“Please keep me in the loop on any changes.”
4. On the same page
✅ Meaning: Everyone understands and agrees.
💬 Example:
“Let’s have a quick call to make sure we’re on the same page.”
5. A win-win situation
🤝 Meaning: Good for both sides.
💬 Example:
“Outsourcing this part of the project is a win-win situation.”
✅ Quick tip: Use idioms like this
When you learn a new idiom, try this formula:
Repeat it + Write a personal example + Use it in a real conversation this week.
That’s how you make it a natural part of your English.
Let’s see them in action
Check out this brainstorming session. Here’s the situaiton:
A small team at a marketing agency is working on a creative concept for FurBowls, a premium pet food brand.
They’ve just found out their initial idea was rejected by the client.
They’re meeting to regroup and come up with fresh ideas for the event stand.
Can you find the 5 idioms in the dialogue? Let’s go.
Nina:
So… the client wasn’t thrilled with the “jungle adventure” theme. They said it didn’t reflect the brand’s premium feel.
Leo:
Yeah, I just saw the email. Looks like we’re back to square one.
Nina:
Exactly. But we’ve still got three months. Plenty of time to come up with something better—if we think outside the box this time.
Tasha:
Totally. What if we focus more on the idea of “nourishing love”? Like, premium ingredients + the bond between pets and owners?
Leo:
Hmm. That could work. Maybe we design it like a cozy home kitchen, but elevated? Like gourmet, but warm?
Nina:
I like it. It’s emotional and high-end. Let’s build on that. And I’ll keep you both in the loop as I check in with the client this week.
Tasha:
Cool. And let’s touch base with the design team too, just to make sure we’re all on the same page.
Leo:
If we pull this off, it could really be a win-win situation—the client gets something unique, and we get noticed at the fair.
Want more of these? Download the first part of my e-book “What did you say?“ for free and start sounding like a native speaker today!
Non sei soddisfatta/soddisfatto del tuo livello di inglese? Vuoi sentirti più confident quando devi parlare inglese al lavoro?
Clicca sul link qui sotto per vedere i corsi che offro. Sono privati e su misura per te.
Oppure rispondi a questa email con la parola per parlare dei tuoi obiettivi e per vedere se posso aiutarti a raggiungerli—senza alcun impegno, naturalmente.
Cos’aspetti? Get in touch now! 😀
All right, that’s it for today’s edition. What did you think? Reply to this email and let me know 📧
“😍 Loved it”
“🙂 It was OK”
“😐️ There was nothing for me“
Ciao for now,
Dan
Daniel Tanner
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