Business
Company man
Meaning
A worker especially loyal to the employer he works for.
Examples
Jack’s been with us for thirty years and hardly missed a day. He’s our number one company man.
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Factory farming
Meaning
Rearing livestock under industrial conditions.
Examples
I’m dead against factory farming of pigs. I prefer to see them out in the open air, rooting about for their food.
Where did it originate?
USA, mid-20th century.
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Flea market
Meaning
A market used to buy and sell inexpensive goods. The kind of place that might sell carpets infested with fleas.
Examples
I need some cheap costume jewelry for the school play. Maybe the flea market would be the place.
Where did it originate?
Britain, early 20th century.
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Get down to brass tacks
Meaning
Concern yourself with the basic and important realities.
Examples
Were broke. This is no time for fanciful ideas – we need to get down to brass tacks and raise some money.
Where did it originate?
America, 19th century.
Where is it used?
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How the idiom originated
Glass ceiling
Meaning
An unacknowledged or unseen discriminatory barrier that prevents women and minorities from rising to positions of power.
Examples
I’ve more experience, better qualifications and work harder than my male co-workers, yet I still don’t get promoted and no one tells me why. I guess that’s what they call the glass ceiling.
Where did it originate?
America, 20th century.
Where is it used?
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Go for broke
Meaning
Put every resource into getting a particular result.
Examples
We needed a goal so we went for broke to score and forgot about defence.
Where did it originate?
USA, mid 20th century.
Where is it used?
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In the bag
Meaning
Something that is secured.
Examples
I knew when they sent all the other interviewees home that my job application was in the bag.
Where did it originate?
USA,, early 20th century.
Where is it used?
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Mates rates
Meaning
A discount price offered to friends.
Examples
I can’t really afford to get the roof fixed but my pal Jim is a builder, maybe hell give me mates rates.
Where did it originate?
Australian origin, 20th century.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but most common down under.
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Men in suits
Meaning
Conventionally minded and dressed men who hold positions of authority. Also called just ‘suits’.
Examples
Everyone in the office wanted a Santas and Elves party on Christmas Eve, but the suits said no.
Where did it originate?
USA, 1930s.
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Off the record
Meaning
Something said in confidence that the one speaking doesn’t want repeated.
Examples
The minister won’t talk to reporters since his last off the record briefing got into the papers.
Where did it originate?
USA, 1930s.
Where is it used?
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On the record
Meaning
Something said in confidence that the one speaking is happy to have repeated.
Examples
As finance minister I’m on the record as supporting increased spending on welfare, and you can quote me on that.
Where did it originate?
USA, 20th century.
Where is it used?
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Rags to riches
Meaning
From poverty to wealth.
Examples
J K Rowling was on benefits when she wrote Harry Potter. That’s a real rags to riches story.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 18th century.
Where is it used?
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Red tape
Meaning
Bureaucracy, especially in public business.
Examples
It’s hardly worth applying for a grant from the council. There’s so much red tape to contend with it will take years.
Where did it originate?
Britain – 18th century.
Where is it used?
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Top banana
Meaning
The leading, most important, person in a group or organisation.
Examples
Russia is supposed to be a democracy but everyone knows Putin is top banana and what he says goes.
Where did it originate?
USA. Derived from burlesque shows where the top comic was given a banana.
Where is it used?
Mostly USA.
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