6 Phrases to Stop Using at Work – and in Translation

Every time we open our mouth – or pick up a pen – in business, we have the opportunity to convey a unique message. One that will help us build relationships, attract more customers, or just get things done.  Below are seven phrases I wish we could all avoid. Think of them as “stock phrases”, similar to stock photography. Readily available, easy to use, requiring no extra effort. When such a phrase is used, though, our audience tends to tune out. Why? Because cliches are flat and uninteresting. Somehow down below we feel like the person using these is not paying much attention to the conversation and does not really see us.

Low-hanging fruit

What are we really doing when we say “go after the low-hanging fruit, first”? We are referring to potential customers as fruit, ready to be picked without much effort. Is that really the message we want to convey to our co-workers about the most important element of our business – our customers? How about we think about customers who are easier to sell to because they are, for example, in a specific segment with which we’ve had lots of success, lately?

Let’s circle back

This is business-speak for “let’s talk about this later”. Not sure why but it seems people who say this actually seldom do circle back. Why not just say “let’s talk about this tomorrow at 9 am during our morning meeting”? That way we can be clear and have a time and date to actually get things done.

I don’t have the bandwidth

This phrase is not only annoying, it is also somewhat outdated. A few years ago, when it was nearly impossible to be on the phone and on the internet all at the same time (remember that?) it may have been a good way to convey you cannot be expected to multitask. Besides, if you are too busy to add something to what you have already been doing, just say it. “I am traveling this week. Would Monday morning work?”

Move the needle

Unless we are talking about gaining weight and using an analog scale let’s just say something like “make a measurable difference”, or “have significant impact”.

Run it up the flagpole

“Let’s run it up the flagpole and see if anyone salutes it” is a phrase that has been popular since the 1950s. What it means is basically to propose an idea to see how others react to it. “That’s a great idea! Let’s present it and see how popular it is” might be a good way to convey the same meaning in a clear manner.

Bite the bullet

Since we are not Civil War soldiers and it is unlikely we will ever need to pass up anesthesia and bite down on a bullet during surgery instead, we could just say “make a difficult decision” – and all would be well.

Other than being outdated cliches that add to ambiguity, rather than clarity of speech, these also represent phrases that are difficult to convey in other languages.

In both interpreting and document translation, we generally have two options: either find an equivalent phrase in the target language that will convey the same message even if using different words. Or, we can just say what the phrase means and simplify the statement, similarly to the suggestions above.

In business correspondence, or business documentation of any kind it is recommended to avoid the use of idioms or metaphors to facilitate communication across borders and cultures. And, of course, to make the translator’s life just a little easier.