climb the corporate ladder
To gradually gain more senior positions and responsibility within a company.
Example: She's been steadily climbing the corporate ladder since she joined.
B114 words · Intermediate
Business Idioms vocabulary — B1
Business idioms for starting and building a career, with phrases like get a foot in the door, hit the ground running and climb the corporate ladder.
14 questions
Words in this set
14back to the drawing board
Needing to start planning a project again from the beginning because the first attempt failed.
Example:
The prototype broke, so it was back to the drawing board.
in the loop
Included in a group that regularly receives updates and information.
Example:
Please keep me in the loop about any changes to the schedule.
think outside the box
To find a creative solution instead of relying on the usual, expected approach.
Example:
We need someone who can think outside the box to fix this.
a steep learning curve
A skill or task that is difficult to master quickly and takes a lot of effort at first.
Example:
The new software has a steep learning curve for beginners.
put in the hours
To spend a lot of time working hard at something.
Example:
She really put in the hours to finish the report on time.
hit the ground running
To start a new task or job immediately with full energy, without a slow beginning.
Example:
The new manager hit the ground running on her first day.
get the sack
To be dismissed from your job.
Example:
He got the sack after missing another deadline.
pull your weight
To do your fair share of the work in a group or team.
Example:
Everyone needs to pull their weight on this project.
get a foot in the door
To gain a first small opportunity to start in a career or organization.
Example:
The internship helped her get a foot in the door at the company.
keep your head above water
To manage to survive financially or with work.
Example:
Two contracts a month is enough to keep your head above water.
take the reins
To take control of something.
Example:
She agreed to take the reins while he was in hospital.
pull strings
To use influence to get something done.
Example:
Somebody had to pull strings to get that permit in a week.
a foot in both camps
Involved with two opposing groups at once.
Example:
He kept a foot in both camps until it became impossible.
