10 Idioms Used in the Office That People Still Use

Wondering what idioms used in the office apply for your workplace? You’d think that by now we’d have cut out the weird office phrases — but nope, they’re still everywhere. You join a Zoom call and someone says, “Let’s circle back”, and suddenly you’re wondering whether you’re in a meeting or on a racetrack.

If you work in English, especially with international teams, these phrases pop up constantly. And they don’t always make sense at first. So, here’s a list of idioms used in the office that people are still throwing around in 2025 — what they mean, when people say them, and how to use them without sounding like you’re trying too hard.

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1. Circle back

You’ll hear this one a lot — probably too much. It basically means, “Let’s come back to this later.”

Example:
“Let’s circle back once we’ve seen the numbers.”

You might roll your eyes, but it’s one of those idioms used in the office that’s stuck around for a reason. It keeps things moving.

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2. Touch base

This one’s been around forever and somehow hasn’t gone away.

Example:
“Let’s touch base next week and see where things stand.”

It just means: Let’s catch up or check in. People say it in emails, in meetings — everywhere.

3. Move the needle

Kind of dramatic, but it means something actually made a difference — not just busywork.

Example:
“The new campaign really moved the needle for Q2 sales.”

You’ll hear this when someone wants to sound like they’re making big moves.

4. On the same page

You’ve probably said this one without even realising it’s an idiom.

Example:
“Let’s meet tomorrow to make sure we’re on the same page before the presentation.”

Still one of the more useful idioms used in the office — especially when managing projects with multiple people involved.

5. Put out fires

No, there’s no actual fire. It just means someone is dealing with problems — usually a bunch of them, all at once.

Example:
“I’ve been putting out fires all day — let’s chat tomorrow?”

Usually said by someone who looks a bit tired and has too many tabs open.

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6. Low-hanging fruit

It sounds like a picnic, but it’s really about easy wins — the stuff you can do quickly.

Example:
“Let’s go after the low-hanging fruit before diving into the harder stuff.”

Not as fresh as it once was, but still one of the go-to idioms used in the office when people are planning projects.

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7. Reinvent the wheel

Why build something from scratch when there’s already a good version of it?

Example:
“Don’t reinvent the wheel — use the slide deck from last quarter.”

Great when someone’s overcomplicating things that could be simple.

8. Idioms Used in the Office: Keep me in the loop

Translation: don’t leave me out of updates.

Example:
“Sounds good — just keep me in the loop as things move forward.”

You’ll see this in almost every work email thread ever.

Idioms Used in the Office: Bring to the table

It’s about offering something — an idea, a solution, whatever you’ve got.

Example:
“She brings a lot of experience to the table.”

You’ll hear this in interviews, performance reviews, and brainstorming sessions.

Idioms Used in the Office: Think outside the box

Yes, it’s a bit cliché. But people still say it when they want something different.

Example:
“Let’s think outside the box with this product launch — something fresh.”

Even in 2025, it hasn’t totally died.

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Let’s be real — some of these phrases make you cringe a little. But here’s the thing: they’re still part of how people talk at work.

You don’t have to use all of them. You don’t have to like all of them. But if you understand these idioms used in the office, you’ll follow conversations more easily, sound more fluent, and avoid missing the point when someone casually drops one into a meeting.

Pick the ones that feel natural to you. Use them when they make sense. And if someone throws one your way, you’ll know exactly what they mean.