I used to say “avoid idioms in business emails” – until I changed my mind. In case you haven’t noticed… I LOVE idioms.
Stephen Farren ’s posting idioms daily (not business-related), and I think he cut a secret deal with the algorithm. 😂
And yes – I’m 100% that word nerd who gets excited about the origin of an idiom.
But let’s get back to business… idioms.
In past posts, I’ve strongly recommended avoiding idioms when writing in a global workplace.
Why? Because clear, simple language is your best friend when you’re communicating across cultures.
But here’s the exception:
If you work in an English-speaking environment – and everyone around you gets the reference – then yes! Sprinkle in those business idioms strategically.
It’s not just fun. It’s effective. For two reasons:
1️⃣ They make your message more efficient.
Idioms help you say more with less.
Example: “Cut to the chase” is much quicker (and more vivid) than saying:
“Let’s skip the pleasantries and get to the most important part of the discussion.”
📧 “Given everyone’s busy schedules, let’s cut to the chase and focus our time on decision-making regarding the new vendor proposals.”
2️⃣ They humanize your tone.
Business communication can get a bit dry. Idioms add personality – and a touch of warmth.
“On the same page” sounds more friendly and collaborative than “Please confirm that you understood everything correctly.”
📧 “Just checking in to make sure we’re on the same page before I move forward.”
Idioms =
✔️Less text
✔️Same meaning
✔️Faster to write and read
Now I’m curious… Do you like idioms?
What’s the first one that pops into your head right now?
