New Interactive Business Idiom Exercises

Workplace & Project Management

Exercise 1: Reading Comprehension

As the new project manager, Maria's first job was to get the ball rolling on the new software launch. It was her first major project, so she had to spend a few weeks just to learn the ropes. Unfortunately, the initial prototype had a major bug. The team realized they couldn't just cut corners to fix it; they had to go back to the drawing board. After a very long day of brainstorming, Maria finally told her exhausted team, "Alright everyone, let's call it a day and continue tomorrow."

1. What does "back to the drawing board" mean in this context?

a) To finish the project quickly
b) To start over from the beginning
c) To take a break

2. What did Maria need to do as a new employee?

a) Call it a day
b) Cut corners
c) Learn the ropes

Exercise 2: Fill in the Gaps

1. We can't afford to make mistakes on this project. We must do everything by the book and not ______.

2. We've been working for 10 hours straight. I'm exhausted. Let's ______.

Negotiation & Making Deals

Exercise 3: Matching Idioms to Definitions

Idiom Definition Feedback
1. drive a hard bargain
2. sweeten the deal
3. meet someone halfway

Exercise 4: Word Order (Drag & Drop)

Drag the words into the box to form an idiom meaning "an outcome that benefits both sides".

win a situation -win

Strategy & Decision Making

Exercise 5: Correct Usage in Context

Choose the best idiom to complete each sentence.

1. Our competitors are all using the same old methods. To succeed, we need to ______.

a) test the waters
b) think outside the box
c) see eye to eye

2. Before we invest millions in this new market, let's launch a small pilot program to ______.

a) test the waters
b) miss the boat
c) a long shot

3. It's crucial that the marketing and sales teams are ______ on the new campaign's goals.

a) back to the drawing board
b) playing hardball
c) on the same page

Exercise 6: Correct the Mistake

Find and choose the corrected version of the sentence.

1. Original: It's a long shoot, but it might work.

a) It's a long shoot, but it may work.
b) It's a long shot, but it might work.
c) It's a long shot, but it work.

2. Original: The two managers finally saw eye to eyes on the budget.

a) The two managers finally see eye to eye on the budget.
b) The two managers finally saw eyes to eye on the budget.
c) The two managers finally saw eye to eye on the budget.