Idioms are not decorations — they are the natural language of business conversations. Use these questions to practice using financial idioms accurately and confidently.
Choose three idioms from Session 15. Create a short conversation (4–6 lines) between two colleagues discussing a struggling project — use all three idioms naturally.
Suggested idioms: in the red, cut your losses, bottom line, money pit, burn rate
In a business meeting your manager says: "The project is in the red, the burn rate is unsustainable, and we need to think about whether to cut our losses." How do you respond? What do you say next?
Try to use: ballpark figure, back of the envelope, ahead of the curve, skin in the game
A colleague whispers that the CFO has been "cooking the books." What does this mean? What would you do — and how would you raise the concern professionally in English?
Try to use: financial irregularity, raise a concern, due diligence, whistleblower, the buck stops here
What money idioms exist in your first language? Choose one, explain it, and try to find the closest English equivalent. What does the difference — or similarity — tell you about cultural attitudes to money?
This is a chance to share your language — there is no right answer. Focus on explaining clearly in English.
"Money talks." Is this true in your professional experience? Give a specific example — from your career or from current events — where money clearly influenced an outcome that should have been decided on merit.
Try to use: financial leverage, influence, golden handshake, lobbying, golden parachute
You are negotiating a salary increase. Your manager offers 3%. You want 8%. Using at least three idioms from this session, roleplay the negotiation — be professional, confident, and specific.
Try to use: on the money, skin in the game, ahead of the curve, bottom line, hedge your bets