English Work Expressions

Work Expressions

Today we’ll look at 5 common English expressions that can be useful for work, but also still applicable for everyday life. You can either listen on YouTube or on the Podcast.

 

Watch the video version of this podcast below.
  1. In a nutshell – to talk about something big in a few words

  2. Bite off more than you can chew – When you start something that is too big to finish

  3. Deal with – to sort out a problem, to fix a problem

  4. To think outside the box – to think of a solution that is different from what is normally done in an unusual, creative way 

  5. Downtime –  free time when you don’t have (much) work

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6 thoughts on “#17 English Work Expressions”

  1. Hello mister MICHAEL, below there are examples on work expression that you taught us, so I hope if you find any mistakes, to correct them for me.
    …………………………………………………………………………………….

    In a nutshell: “my father asked me about my holiday, but there was many activities I did, so to don’t waste the time, I told him in a nutshell it was fun”

    I bite off more than you can chew: “I challenged my friend to watch and end a Turkish series call CUKUR in 2 months, but then I found that it is 4 parts each episode is 2 hours and a half long , and then I realized that I bite off more than I could chew.

    Deal with: “May manager asked me to deal with budget problems”

    To think outside the box: “The advertisement agencies must think outside the box to create new ideas for their publicity to attract the viewers.”

    Downtime: ” My assistant Tala asked me if I have downtime to eat lunch with each other.

    1. Well done for this! Nice to see you putting in the effort.

      In a nutshell – used perfectly!

      Bite off more than I could chew –> Bit off more (used past tense here)

      Deal with – used perfectly!

      Think outside the box – used perfectly!

      Downtime – This is a hard one! It’s hard to say why, but we wouldn’t ask someone “Do you have downtime?” I might say something like “Would you like to eat lunch with me in your downtime?” or something like that. But ‘downtime’ is time when you don’t do anything, so if it truly is downtime then you wouldn’t go to lunch! haha. I hope that makes sense

      1. Okay, I get it.
        I can say for example:
        I am very grumpy now because my manager delegated me to manage the production process which interference with my downtime.

          1. Oh yeah, interference is a noun, I got confused because I write quickly😂.
            Thank you, mister. Good night❤

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