Business

9 Business vocabulary terms

You can find all the essential business vocabulary that can be used in Business English

a ballpark number/figure
a noun
A "ballpark number" is a very inexact estimate.
Example: I'm not sure what a Super Bowl commercial costs, but to give you a ballpark figure I'd say about three million dollars
en: un nombre approximatif
a slump
a noun
a sudden severe or prolonged fall in the price, value, or amount of something
Example: a slump in profits
en: une baisse soudaine
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accreditation standards
a noun
Accreditation is independent recognition that an organisation meets the requirements of governing industry standards.
Example: The statements made by the companies about/on fabric accreditation systems and standards are potentially misleading
en: des normes d'accréditation
at stake
It means at risk
Example: I'm a little nervous about giving this presentation. There's a lot at stake.
en: en jeu/en cause
the auctioneer
a noun
a person who conducts auctions by accepting bids and declaring goods sold
Example: It's exciting to win the bidding at an auction and hear the auctioneer shout, "Sold!"
en: le commissaire-priseur
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the pink slip
a noun
Someone who gets the "pink slip," has been fired
Example: They gave him the pink slip. He wasn't performing very well.
en: une lettre de licenciement
to get down to business
a verb
To "get down to business" means to stop making small talk and start talking about serious topics related to business
Example: Now that everyone's here, let's get down to business and talk about the proposal.
en: se mettre au travail
to give the thumbs down
a verb
To "give something or someone the thumbs down" means to deny approval.
Example: I can't believe she gave us the thumbs down. I thought it was a great idea.
en: donner un avis défavorable
to throw in the towel
a verb
To "throw in the towel" means to quit.
Example: I was trying to learn Portuguese, but I got frustrated and threw in the towel.
en: jeter l'éponge