What was said? “We cut our teeth with you.”
Did someone really say that? Yes, when talking to a client and sharing details about our company’s rich history.
What does it mean? It indicates where we got our start. It’s about where we gained our experience or learned our trade or skill. In essence, it’s where our story began.
Continue reading “Cut Your Teeth (on something)”
What was said? “We need to rank and file the activities for next year.’”
Did someone really say that? Yes, when planning the 2025 client roadmap in a strategy session.
What does it mean? In the quote above, it was inaccurately referring to the process of prioritization. Rank and File really refers to the “ordinary people” of an organization. In essence, the team, not the leaders.
Continue reading “Rank and File”
What was said? “We need a planning meeting to ‘set the duck.’”
Did someone really say that? Yes, when talking to a client about their need to get organized and prioritize their initiatives for 2025.”
What does it mean? It means to get things in alignment / in order. It is not to be confused by “sitting duck.”
Continue reading “Set the Duck / Get your Ducks in a Row”
What was said? “Eventually, the worm is going to turn.’”
Did someone really say that? Yes, in a meeting discussing employee survey results and how they eventually will “get better.”
What does it mean? In this instance, it’s more about a change in luck. The outlook shifts from a bleak forecast to a bright one. It can also refer to a person who has been treated badly for some time. Eventually, they resist and stand up to their “attacker.”
Continue reading “The Worm Turns”
What was said? “You may want to tell me to ‘go fly a kite!’”
Did someone really say that? Yes, in a meeting where a topic was being discussed at length.
What does it mean? It’s telling someone to go away, leave you alone.
Continue reading “Go Fly A Kite”
What was said? “He’s such a fly in the ointment.”
Did someone really say that? Yes, in the side chat of a virtual meeting after someone stopped the light-hearted, pre-meeting banter with a “let’s get this meeting started already” comment.
What does it mean? In essence, it refers to someone or something that spoils fun! It means an “irritant” and something that is annoying.
Continue reading “Fly in the Ointment”
What was said? “Clear as mud!”
Did someone really say that? Yes, in response to a presentation a coworker gave on “how to strategize and win the game of ‘settlers of Catan.’”
What does it mean? It means difficult to see or understand, and is typically used sarcastically referring to something that is anything but “clear as mud!”
Continue reading “As Clear As Mud”
What was said? “If we get the funding too late, we’ll be behind the eight ball.”
Did someone really say that? Yes, when talking about the risks on a project if we get started later than planned!
What does it mean? It basically means to be put in a tight spot, at a disadvantage.
Continue reading “Behind the 8 Ball”
What was said? “We should put a tiger team on that, pronto!”
Did someone really say that? Yes, at another alumni board meeting when talking about breaking out in teams to tackle specific problems.
What does it mean? A tiger team is a specialized team that focuses on a specific goal to solve a particular problem. In the business setting it usually refers to putting a team of people with mixed skills/abilities to tackle a problem from multiple angles… usually at a fast, aggressive pace.
Continue reading “Tiger Team”
What was said? “Ok team – let’s gin up!”
Did someone really say that? Yes, at an alumni board meeting when our team was about to present our proposal / plan.
What does it mean? In the context above, it means to get the team excited / stimulated and stir up some feedback on what we were about to present.
However, there are some uses where it is meant to be more focused on generating interest / discussion through dishonest ways – which was not the intention above! (has nothing to do with the alcohol gin, despite the image I chose for this post!)
Continue reading “Gin Up!”
HOT Idioms 