Idiomatic expressions in business

out of action - not working

e.g. The computers are out of action today, I don't know how we are going to clear those accounts.

they got on like a house on fire - they became good friends, they were good together

e.g. Mary and our new assistant got on like a house on fire. (= They worked well together and enjoyed it.)

every now and again - sometimes

e.g. Every now and again they send an inspector from head office.

at odds with - in disagreement with somebody or something

e.g. He is at odds with his boss about the new loans. (= He disagrees with his boss about the new loans.)

out of hand - out of control

e.g. During the 1987 stock market crash nearly got out of hand in our securities department.

he is out of his mind - he is crazy

e.g. He plans to close over 60 branches next year. He is out of his mind. (= I think it is crazy idea.)

Colloquial phrases concerned with work and business include the fol­lowing:

to be on the job — to be at work, to be working; especially working well

e.g. Nobody knows his business. Nobody knows how he spends his time. Even when he's on the job, he... disappears most of each day soon as his work is done.

(to be) on the go — (to be) at work or doing something active I do my best.

e.g. I'm on the go night and day.

to get down to (one's work, business) — to settle down to it seriously

e.g. The holidays are over; we must get down to work again.

to get on with work (job, etc.) — to advance in doing it; to progress with one's business.

e.g. We've had enough amusement and must get on with our job.

APPENDICES

The general idea of being (very) busy may be expressed by the follow­ing phrase in common use:

to have one's hands full — to be very busy; to have as much to do as one is able to do. When a man is so busy engaged that be cannot attempt any­thing more, he is said to have his hands full.

e.g. Do not expect him to help you; he has his hands full.

to have (a lot) on also means to be very busy.

e.g. I've a lot on this week, but next week I shall probably have more time to spare.

Other phrases expressing the notion of being busy include the follow­ing: