Business English Idioms

[anupumh]

(to) jump the gun

to start doing something too soon or ahead of everybody else

Example: The company jumped the gun by releasing a new product before the results of the consumer testing were in.
Origin: A runner "jumps the gun" if he or she starts running before the starter's pistol has been fired.

[anupumh]

Originally Posted by Raymott

"His handshake is like a wet jellyfish."
He is weak and indecisive. He's not the type of person you can trust.

From The Book on Body Language, this kind of handshake is also called as Dead Fish Handshake

[misiania]

'bail a company out'

Sweetsugar Ltd is being bailed out by the government.

[anupumh]

dog-eat-dog world

a cruel and aggressive world in which people just look out for themselves

Example: Your company fired you shortly after you had a heart attack? Well, it's certainly a dog-eat-dog world!

Origin: This expression dates back to the 1500's. Wild dogs were observed fighting aggressively over a piece of food. The connection was made that people, like dogs, often compete aggressively to get what they want.

[anupumh]

(to) dot your i's and cross your t's

to be very careful; to pay attention to details

Example: When preparing financial statements, accuracy is very important. Be sure to dot your i's and cross your t's.

[anupumh]

across the board

MEANING: including everyone or everything


EXAMPLE:

The computer company decided to give the workers an across-the-board increase in their salary.

[anupumh]

give someone the green light

MEANING: give permission to go ahead with a project


EXAMPLE:

Our boss gave us the green light to begin work on the new sales promotion.

[anupumh]

strike while the iron is hot

MEANING: take advantage of an opportunity


EXAMPLE:

We decided to strike while the iron was hot and began to market the product around the time of the Olympics.

[anupumh]

in black and white

MEANING: in writing


EXAMPLE:

The company refused to deal with the customer's complaints until they saw them in black and white.

[PROESL]

Originally Posted by misiania

I'm accounts educated so I have one from this department for you.

'Balance sheet'

This is the statement containing list of assets, debts, liabilities, provisions, equity, capital etc.
It also shows/indicates financial position of the business or trader.

This reminds of "in the black" and "in the red" - showing a profit or not showing a profit.