10 Great Idioms & Expressions for Projects - Business English

Watch this short Business English vocabulary lesson and learn some of the most common expressions and idioms used in projects. Practise your speaking skills and become more confident by repeating the examples with me.

The idioms and expressions in this lesson:

1. In the pipeline - if a plan, idea, or project is in the pipeline, it is being prepared and it will happen soon
We have several exciting projects in the pipeline this year.

2. Give the green light – to give permission for someone to do something or for something to happen
Great news! The boss has just given us the green light for the project.

3. Get something off the ground - if you get a project off the ground, you manage to make it start successfully
We’ll need more money to get this project off the ground.

4. Get the ball rolling (similar to get something off the ground) – to start something happening
As soon as we have permission for the project, we can get the ball rolling.

5. Up and running (here’s another one which is similar to get something off the ground or to get the ball rolling) - If a business or project is up and running, it has started and is functioning successfully.
The project has been up and running since the start of last week.

6. Make headway - to make progress towards achieving something – used especially when this is difficult
We had some problems in the first couple of months, but we’re making headway now.

7. On track – making progress and likely to achieve the result you want
I’m happy to say that everything is on track and looking good.

8. Too much / a lot on your plate - to be very busy with too much work to do
Phil can’t help out with the project, because he has too much on his plate at the moment.

9. Pitch in – to join others and help with an activity or task
If everyone pitches in, we can finish the project on schedule.

10. At the eleventh hour - If something happens at the eleventh hour, it happens at the last possible moment.
The boss agreed to increase the project budget at the eleventh hour.


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Music credits:
Intro music: Far Away by MK2
Background music: Honey and Milk by The 126ers