💼 Business Idioms
English has plenty of ways to talk about money, work, success, and ambition without sounding like a business textbook. A profitable product can be a cash cow, an expensive purchase might break the bank, and an unexpected chance can be a golden opportunity.
These 10 expressions are useful for talking about finances, careers, standards, leadership, and the decisions that can make or break a business.
💼 Money & Business Idioms
💸 Break the Bank
Meaning: To cost so much money that it becomes difficult or impossible to afford.
Example:
I'd love to replace the old sofa, but the new one doesn't have to break the bank.
Costar tanto que resulta difícil o imposible de pagar.
🇫🇷 French: Se ruiner / casser la tirelire
Coûter tellement cher que c'est difficile ou impossible à payer.
🇩🇪 German: Das Budget sprengen
So teuer sein, dass man es kaum oder gar nicht bezahlen kann.
🇮🇹 Italian: Salassare / sforare il budget
Costare così tanto da diventare difficile o impossibile da permettersi.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Estourar o orçamento
Custar tanto que fica difícil ou impossível de pagar.
💡 Usage: This expression is often used when talking about purchases that are expensive but not necessarily completely unaffordable.
Meaning: To cost so much money that it becomes difficult or impossible to afford.
Example:
I'd love to replace the old sofa, but the new one doesn't have to break the bank.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Arruinarse / salirse del presupuestoCostar tanto que resulta difícil o imposible de pagar.
🇫🇷 French: Se ruiner / casser la tirelire
Coûter tellement cher que c'est difficile ou impossible à payer.
🇩🇪 German: Das Budget sprengen
So teuer sein, dass man es kaum oder gar nicht bezahlen kann.
🇮🇹 Italian: Salassare / sforare il budget
Costare così tanto da diventare difficile o impossibile da permettersi.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Estourar o orçamento
Custar tanto que fica difícil ou impossível de pagar.
💡 Usage: This expression is often used when talking about purchases that are expensive but not necessarily completely unaffordable.
🐄 Cash Cow
Meaning: A product, business, or activity that produces a steady and reliable amount of money.
Example:
The company's old accounting software isn't exciting, but it remains a cash cow that brings in millions every year.
Un producto, negocio o actividad que genera dinero de forma constante y fiable.
🇫🇷 French: Vache à lait
Un produit, une activité ou une entreprise qui rapporte de l'argent de façon régulière et sûre.
🇩🇪 German: Cashcow / Melkkuh
Ein Produkt, Geschäft oder eine Tätigkeit, die zuverlässig und regelmäßig Geld bringt.
🇮🇹 Italian: Gallina dalle uova d'oro
Un prodotto, un'attività o un'azienda che produce soldi in modo costante e affidabile.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Galinha dos ovos de ouro
Um produto, negócio ou atividade que gera dinheiro de forma constante e confiável.
💡 Usage: A cash cow is valuable because it consistently generates money, often without requiring the same investment as a newer venture.
Meaning: A product, business, or activity that produces a steady and reliable amount of money.
Example:
The company's old accounting software isn't exciting, but it remains a cash cow that brings in millions every year.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Vacas lecheras / gallina de los huevos de oroUn producto, negocio o actividad que genera dinero de forma constante y fiable.
🇫🇷 French: Vache à lait
Un produit, une activité ou une entreprise qui rapporte de l'argent de façon régulière et sûre.
🇩🇪 German: Cashcow / Melkkuh
Ein Produkt, Geschäft oder eine Tätigkeit, die zuverlässig und regelmäßig Geld bringt.
🇮🇹 Italian: Gallina dalle uova d'oro
Un prodotto, un'attività o un'azienda che produce soldi in modo costante e affidabile.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Galinha dos ovos de ouro
Um produto, negócio ou atividade que gera dinheiro de forma constante e confiável.
💡 Usage: A cash cow is valuable because it consistently generates money, often without requiring the same investment as a newer venture.
💸 Cost an Arm and a Leg
Meaning: To be extremely expensive.
Example:
The apartment has an incredible view, but living there would cost an arm and a leg.
Ser extremadamente caro.
🇫🇷 French: Coûter les yeux de la tête
Être extrêmement cher.
🇩🇪 German: Ein Vermögen kosten
Extrem teuer sein.
🇮🇹 Italian: Costare un occhio della testa
Essere estremamente costoso.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Custar os olhos da cara
Ser extremamente caro.
💡 Usage: This is an informal and exaggerated way of saying that something is very expensive.
Meaning: To be extremely expensive.
Example:
The apartment has an incredible view, but living there would cost an arm and a leg.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Costar un ojo de la caraSer extremadamente caro.
🇫🇷 French: Coûter les yeux de la tête
Être extrêmement cher.
🇩🇪 German: Ein Vermögen kosten
Extrem teuer sein.
🇮🇹 Italian: Costare un occhio della testa
Essere estremamente costoso.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Custar os olhos da cara
Ser extremamente caro.
💡 Usage: This is an informal and exaggerated way of saying that something is very expensive.
🥇 Golden Opportunity
Meaning: A particularly valuable or promising chance that may not come along again.
Example:
The internship at the design studio was a golden opportunity to learn from people already working in the industry.
Una ocasión especialmente valiosa o prometedora, que quizá no se repita.
🇫🇷 French: Une opportunité en or
Une chance particulièrement précieuse ou prometteuse, qui risque de ne pas se représenter.
🇩🇪 German: Eine goldene Gelegenheit
Eine besonders wertvolle oder vielversprechende Chance, die so vielleicht nicht wiederkommt.
🇮🇹 Italian: Un'occasione d'oro
Una possibilità particolarmente preziosa o promettente, che potrebbe non ripresentarsi.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Uma oportunidade de ouro
Uma chance especialmente valiosa ou promissora, que talvez não apareça de novo.
💡 Usage: The expression emphasizes that an opportunity is unusually valuable or worth taking seriously.
Meaning: A particularly valuable or promising chance that may not come along again.
Example:
The internship at the design studio was a golden opportunity to learn from people already working in the industry.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Una oportunidad de oroUna ocasión especialmente valiosa o prometedora, que quizá no se repita.
🇫🇷 French: Une opportunité en or
Une chance particulièrement précieuse ou prometteuse, qui risque de ne pas se représenter.
🇩🇪 German: Eine goldene Gelegenheit
Eine besonders wertvolle oder vielversprechende Chance, die so vielleicht nicht wiederkommt.
🇮🇹 Italian: Un'occasione d'oro
Una possibilità particolarmente preziosa o promettente, che potrebbe non ripresentarsi.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Uma oportunidade de ouro
Uma chance especialmente valiosa ou promissora, que talvez não apareça de novo.
💡 Usage: The expression emphasizes that an opportunity is unusually valuable or worth taking seriously.
📉 In the Red
Meaning: Losing money or having a financial deficit.
Example:
The restaurant was in the red for most of its first year, but business improved after the menu was redesigned.
Estar perdiendo dinero o tener un déficit.
🇫🇷 French: Dans le rouge
Perdre de l'argent ou être en déficit.
🇩🇪 German: In den roten Zahlen
Geld verlieren oder ein Defizit haben.
🇮🇹 Italian: In rosso
Perdere soldi o avere un disavanzo.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: No vermelho
Estar perdendo dinheiro ou ter déficit.
🕰️ Origin: The expression comes from traditional accounting practices, where losses or negative balances were commonly written in red ink. The contrasting expression in the black refers to being profitable or financially positive.
Meaning: Losing money or having a financial deficit.
Example:
The restaurant was in the red for most of its first year, but business improved after the menu was redesigned.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: En números rojosEstar perdiendo dinero o tener un déficit.
🇫🇷 French: Dans le rouge
Perdre de l'argent ou être en déficit.
🇩🇪 German: In den roten Zahlen
Geld verlieren oder ein Defizit haben.
🇮🇹 Italian: In rosso
Perdere soldi o avere un disavanzo.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: No vermelho
Estar perdendo dinheiro ou ter déficit.
🕰️ Origin: The expression comes from traditional accounting practices, where losses or negative balances were commonly written in red ink. The contrasting expression in the black refers to being profitable or financially positive.
📈 Raise the Bar
Meaning: To set a higher standard that others must meet or exceed.
Example:
The new restaurant raised the bar for airport food by serving meals that actually felt freshly prepared.
Fijar un nivel más alto que los demás deben alcanzar o superar.
🇫🇷 French: Relever la barre
Fixer un niveau plus élevé que les autres doivent atteindre ou dépasser.
🇩🇪 German: Die Messlatte höher legen
Einen höheren Maßstab setzen, den andere erreichen oder übertreffen müssen.
🇮🇹 Italian: Alzare l'asticella
Fissare uno standard più alto che gli altri devono raggiungere o superare.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Elevar o nível
Estabelecer um padrão mais alto que os outros precisam alcançar ou ultrapassar.
🕰️ Origin: The expression comes from athletics, especially high jump and pole vault competitions, where raising the bar makes the required performance more difficult.
Meaning: To set a higher standard that others must meet or exceed.
Example:
The new restaurant raised the bar for airport food by serving meals that actually felt freshly prepared.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Subir el listónFijar un nivel más alto que los demás deben alcanzar o superar.
🇫🇷 French: Relever la barre
Fixer un niveau plus élevé que les autres doivent atteindre ou dépasser.
🇩🇪 German: Die Messlatte höher legen
Einen höheren Maßstab setzen, den andere erreichen oder übertreffen müssen.
🇮🇹 Italian: Alzare l'asticella
Fissare uno standard più alto che gli altri devono raggiungere o superare.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Elevar o nível
Estabelecer um padrão mais alto que os outros precisam alcançar ou ultrapassar.
🕰️ Origin: The expression comes from athletics, especially high jump and pole vault competitions, where raising the bar makes the required performance more difficult.
🧀 The Big Cheese
Meaning: An important or powerful person, especially someone who has authority in an organization.
Example:
Everyone became noticeably quieter when the big cheese from headquarters walked into the meeting.
Una persona importante o con poder, sobre todo alguien con autoridad en una organización.
🇫🇷 French: Le grand chef / le gros bonnet
Une personne importante ou puissante, surtout quelqu'un qui a de l'autorité dans une organisation.
🇩🇪 German: Das große Tier
Eine wichtige oder mächtige Person, besonders jemand mit Autorität in einer Organisation.
🇮🇹 Italian: Il pezzo grosso
Una persona importante o potente, soprattutto qualcuno con autorità in un'organizzazione.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: O peixe grande
Uma pessoa importante ou poderosa, principalmente alguém com autoridade numa organização.
💡 Usage: This is informal and can sound humorous. It often refers to someone who is important rather than simply someone who owns a business.
Meaning: An important or powerful person, especially someone who has authority in an organization.
Example:
Everyone became noticeably quieter when the big cheese from headquarters walked into the meeting.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: El pez gordoUna persona importante o con poder, sobre todo alguien con autoridad en una organización.
🇫🇷 French: Le grand chef / le gros bonnet
Une personne importante ou puissante, surtout quelqu'un qui a de l'autorité dans une organisation.
🇩🇪 German: Das große Tier
Eine wichtige oder mächtige Person, besonders jemand mit Autorität in einer Organisation.
🇮🇹 Italian: Il pezzo grosso
Una persona importante o potente, soprattutto qualcuno con autorità in un'organizzazione.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: O peixe grande
Uma pessoa importante ou poderosa, principalmente alguém com autoridade numa organização.
💡 Usage: This is informal and can sound humorous. It often refers to someone who is important rather than simply someone who owns a business.
🗝️ The Key to Success
Meaning: The most important factor, quality, or action needed to achieve success.
Example:
There isn't one magic trick to learning a language, but regular practice is certainly a key to success.
El factor, cualidad o acción más importante para lograr el éxito.
🇫🇷 French: La clé du succès
Le facteur, la qualité ou l'action la plus importante pour réussir.
🇩🇪 German: Der Schlüssel zum Erfolg
Der wichtigste Faktor, die wichtigste Eigenschaft oder Handlung, um Erfolg zu haben.
🇮🇹 Italian: La chiave del successo
Il fattore, la qualità o l'azione più importante per avere successo.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: A chave do sucesso
O fator, a qualidade ou a ação mais importante para ter sucesso.
💡 Usage: This expression is broader than the other idioms on this page. It can be used for business, education, relationships, sports, and almost any other goal.
Meaning: The most important factor, quality, or action needed to achieve success.
Example:
There isn't one magic trick to learning a language, but regular practice is certainly a key to success.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: La clave del éxitoEl factor, cualidad o acción más importante para lograr el éxito.
🇫🇷 French: La clé du succès
Le facteur, la qualité ou l'action la plus importante pour réussir.
🇩🇪 German: Der Schlüssel zum Erfolg
Der wichtigste Faktor, die wichtigste Eigenschaft oder Handlung, um Erfolg zu haben.
🇮🇹 Italian: La chiave del successo
Il fattore, la qualità o l'azione più importante per avere successo.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: A chave do sucesso
O fator, a qualidade ou a ação mais importante para ter sucesso.
💡 Usage: This expression is broader than the other idioms on this page. It can be used for business, education, relationships, sports, and almost any other goal.
⚖️ Tip the Scales
Meaning: To cause a situation to change in favor of one side, especially when the final difference is small.
Example:
Both candidates were impressive, but Maria's experience abroad tipped the scales in her favor.
Hacer que una situación se decante hacia un lado, sobre todo cuando la diferencia final es pequeña.
🇫🇷 French: Faire pencher la balance
Faire basculer une situation en faveur d'un camp, surtout quand l'écart final est mince.
🇩🇪 German: Den Ausschlag geben
Eine Lage zugunsten einer Seite kippen, besonders wenn der letzte Unterschied klein ist.
🇮🇹 Italian: Far pendere l'ago della bilancia
Far cambiare una situazione a favore di una parte, soprattutto quando la differenza finale è piccola.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Inclinar a balança
Fazer a situação virar para um lado, principalmente quando a diferença final é pequena.
🕰️ Origin: The expression comes from the image of a balance scale. Adding even a small amount to one side can make it sink and the other side rise.
Meaning: To cause a situation to change in favor of one side, especially when the final difference is small.
Example:
Both candidates were impressive, but Maria's experience abroad tipped the scales in her favor.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Inclinar la balanzaHacer que una situación se decante hacia un lado, sobre todo cuando la diferencia final es pequeña.
🇫🇷 French: Faire pencher la balance
Faire basculer une situation en faveur d'un camp, surtout quand l'écart final est mince.
🇩🇪 German: Den Ausschlag geben
Eine Lage zugunsten einer Seite kippen, besonders wenn der letzte Unterschied klein ist.
🇮🇹 Italian: Far pendere l'ago della bilancia
Far cambiare una situazione a favore di una parte, soprattutto quando la differenza finale è piccola.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Inclinar a balança
Fazer a situação virar para um lado, principalmente quando a diferença final é pequena.
🕰️ Origin: The expression comes from the image of a balance scale. Adding even a small amount to one side can make it sink and the other side rise.
🪜 Climb the Ladder
Meaning: To advance through the levels of a career or organization, usually by gaining experience, responsibility, or a higher position.
Example:
She started in the mailroom and gradually climbed the ladder until she was running the entire department.
Avanzar por los niveles de una profesión o una organización, casi siempre ganando experiencia, responsabilidad o un cargo más alto.
🇫🇷 French: Grimper les échelons
Progresser dans les niveaux d'une carrière ou d'une organisation, en général en gagnant de l'expérience, des responsabilités ou un poste plus élevé.
🇩🇪 German: Die Karriereleiter erklimmen
In einer Laufbahn oder Organisation aufsteigen, meist durch mehr Erfahrung, Verantwortung oder eine höhere Position.
🇮🇹 Italian: Scalare la gerarchia
Avanzare nei livelli di una carriera o di un'organizzazione, di solito guadagnando esperienza, responsabilità o un ruolo più alto.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Subir na carreira
Avançar pelos níveis de uma profissão ou organização, em geral ganhando experiência, responsabilidade ou um cargo mais alto.
💡 Usage: The “ladder” represents different levels of professional status or responsibility. The expression can be positive, but it can also be used neutrally when describing someone's career ambitions.
Meaning: To advance through the levels of a career or organization, usually by gaining experience, responsibility, or a higher position.
Example:
She started in the mailroom and gradually climbed the ladder until she was running the entire department.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Spanish: Subir en la escala / hacer carreraAvanzar por los niveles de una profesión o una organización, casi siempre ganando experiencia, responsabilidad o un cargo más alto.
🇫🇷 French: Grimper les échelons
Progresser dans les niveaux d'une carrière ou d'une organisation, en général en gagnant de l'expérience, des responsabilités ou un poste plus élevé.
🇩🇪 German: Die Karriereleiter erklimmen
In einer Laufbahn oder Organisation aufsteigen, meist durch mehr Erfahrung, Verantwortung oder eine höhere Position.
🇮🇹 Italian: Scalare la gerarchia
Avanzare nei livelli di una carriera o di un'organizzazione, di solito guadagnando esperienza, responsabilità o un ruolo più alto.
🇵🇹 Portuguese: Subir na carreira
Avançar pelos níveis de uma profissão ou organização, em geral ganhando experiência, responsabilidade ou um cargo mais alto.
💡 Usage: The “ladder” represents different levels of professional status or responsibility. The expression can be positive, but it can also be used neutrally when describing someone's career ambitions.
🧠 Useful Distinctions
💸 Break the bank vs. 💸 Cost an arm and a leg
Both expressions describe something expensive, but they are not always equally strong.
Break the bank suggests that something is expensive enough to put pressure on your budget, but it can also be used reassuringly to say that something is affordable.
Cost an arm and a leg is stronger and more dramatic. It means that something is extremely expensive.
Example: The tickets weren't cheap, but they didn't break the bank.
Example: That luxury hotel costs an arm and a leg during the holiday season.
Both expressions describe something expensive, but they are not always equally strong.
Break the bank suggests that something is expensive enough to put pressure on your budget, but it can also be used reassuringly to say that something is affordable.
Cost an arm and a leg is stronger and more dramatic. It means that something is extremely expensive.
Example: The tickets weren't cheap, but they didn't break the bank.
Example: That luxury hotel costs an arm and a leg during the holiday season.
🐄 Cash cow vs. 🥇 Golden opportunity
A cash cow is something that is already producing reliable money.
A golden opportunity is a valuable chance that someone may be able to take advantage of.
One is about ongoing financial results. The other is about a valuable possibility.
A cash cow is something that is already producing reliable money.
A golden opportunity is a valuable chance that someone may be able to take advantage of.
One is about ongoing financial results. The other is about a valuable possibility.
📈 Raise the bar vs. 🪜 Climb the ladder
Raise the bar is about standards. Someone makes the expected level of quality or performance higher.
Climb the ladder is about position. Someone moves upward through the levels of a career or organization.
A person can climb the career ladder while also raising the bar for the people around them.
Raise the bar is about standards. Someone makes the expected level of quality or performance higher.
Climb the ladder is about position. Someone moves upward through the levels of a career or organization.
A person can climb the career ladder while also raising the bar for the people around them.
⚖️ Tip the scales vs. 🗝️ The key to success
Tip the scales describes a factor that makes the final difference between competing possibilities.
The key to success describes something considered especially important for achieving a goal.
If two candidates are almost equally qualified, one extra qualification might tip the scales. Regular preparation might be a key to success for both candidates.
Tip the scales describes a factor that makes the final difference between competing possibilities.
The key to success describes something considered especially important for achieving a goal.
If two candidates are almost equally qualified, one extra qualification might tip the scales. Regular preparation might be a key to success for both candidates.
💬 Idioms in Everyday English
💸 "Don't worry, it won't break the bank."
A casual way to reassure someone that a purchase is affordable or reasonably priced.
🇫🇷 T'inquiète, ça ne va pas te ruiner.
🇩🇪 Keine Sorge, das sprengt nicht das Budget.
🇮🇹 Non preoccuparti, non ti salassa.
🇵🇹 Não se preocupe, não vai estourar o orçamento.
A casual way to reassure someone that a purchase is affordable or reasonably priced.
Show translations
🇪🇸 No te preocupes, no te vas a arruinar. / No va a salirse del presupuesto.🇫🇷 T'inquiète, ça ne va pas te ruiner.
🇩🇪 Keine Sorge, das sprengt nicht das Budget.
🇮🇹 Non preoccuparti, non ti salassa.
🇵🇹 Não se preocupe, não vai estourar o orçamento.
📉 "The company has been in the red for six months."
Here the expression means that the company has been losing money rather than making a profit.
🇫🇷 L'entreprise est dans le rouge depuis six mois.
🇩🇪 Die Firma ist seit sechs Monaten in den roten Zahlen.
🇮🇹 L'azienda è in rosso da sei mesi.
🇵🇹 A empresa está no vermelho há seis meses.
Here the expression means that the company has been losing money rather than making a profit.
Show translations
🇪🇸 La empresa lleva seis meses en números rojos.🇫🇷 L'entreprise est dans le rouge depuis six mois.
🇩🇪 Die Firma ist seit sechs Monaten in den roten Zahlen.
🇮🇹 L'azienda è in rosso da sei mesi.
🇵🇹 A empresa está no vermelho há seis meses.
📈 "That new restaurant has really raised the bar."
The speaker thinks the restaurant has introduced a higher standard of quality.
🇫🇷 Ce nouveau restaurant a vraiment relevé la barre.
🇩🇪 Das neue Restaurant hat die Messlatte wirklich höher gelegt.
🇮🇹 Quel nuovo ristorante ha alzato parecchio l'asticella.
🇵🇹 Esse restaurante novo elevou bastante o nível.
The speaker thinks the restaurant has introduced a higher standard of quality.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Ese restaurante nuevo ha subido mucho el listón.🇫🇷 Ce nouveau restaurant a vraiment relevé la barre.
🇩🇪 Das neue Restaurant hat die Messlatte wirklich höher gelegt.
🇮🇹 Quel nuovo ristorante ha alzato parecchio l'asticella.
🇵🇹 Esse restaurante novo elevou bastante o nível.
🥇 "This is a golden opportunity, so I'd think carefully before turning it down."
The speaker considers the opportunity unusually valuable and potentially difficult to replace.
🇫🇷 C'est une opportunité en or, donc je réfléchirais bien avant de la refuser.
🇩🇪 Das ist eine goldene Gelegenheit, also würde ich mir das gut überlegen, bevor ich ablehne.
🇮🇹 Questa è un'occasione d'oro, quindi ci penserei bene prima di rifiutare.
🇵🇹 Esta é uma oportunidade de ouro, então eu pensaria bem antes de recusar.
The speaker considers the opportunity unusually valuable and potentially difficult to replace.
Show translations
🇪🇸 Esta es una oportunidad de oro, así que lo pensaría bien antes de rechazarla.🇫🇷 C'est une opportunité en or, donc je réfléchirais bien avant de la refuser.
🇩🇪 Das ist eine goldene Gelegenheit, also würde ich mir das gut überlegen, bevor ich ablehne.
🇮🇹 Questa è un'occasione d'oro, quindi ci penserei bene prima di rifiutare.
🇵🇹 Esta é uma oportunidade de ouro, então eu pensaria bem antes de recusar.
🏆 Final Practice
English in the Real World:
You are talking about price, profit, promotions, and chances that may not come again. Pick the idiom that fits the situation — not just a word that sounds “business-like.”
You are talking about price, profit, promotions, and chances that may not come again. Pick the idiom that fits the situation — not just a word that sounds “business-like.”
Question 1 of 10
💸
✅ Correct: 0
❓ Questions: 0
🎯 Accuracy: 0%