We hear them all the time: those overused business clichés that should be banned from the workplace. They’re a dime a dozen and yet they show no sign of riding off into the sunset. We’ve separated the wheat from the chaff to bring you 25 truly irritating office phrases. These examples of office-speak are sure to leave you gritting your teeth. We’ve even included an example of how to use each phrase.
Have you got a business cliché that drives you around the bend? Leave it in the comments section below.
![Hit the Ground Running Hit the Ground Running](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Hit the Ground Running
"If we're going to beat the competition, we've got to get up early and hit the ground running."
![No-Brainer No-Brainer](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
No-Brainer
"Preparing for the zombie apocalypse is a no-brainer."
![Back of the Napkin Back of the Napkin](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Back of the Napkin
"Her plan for global domination is a back of the napkin idea, but it shows promise."
![Blue-Sky Thinking Blue-Sky Thinking](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Blue-Sky Thinking
“The only way we're going to find a solution to this problem is with some blue-sky thinking.”
![Think Outside of the Box Think Outside of the Box](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Think Outside of the Box
“Well, the blue-sky thinking didn't work, so now it's time to think outside of the box.”
![In the Loop In the Loop](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
In the Loop
“I'm going on holidays, but I would appreciate it if you'd keep me in the loop.”
![Drill Down Drill Down](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Drill Down
“We need to drill down to find the root cause of why morale is so bad.”
![Roadmap Roadmap](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Roadmap
“This new five-year plan is our roadmap to success.”
![All Hands on Deck All Hands on Deck](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
All Hands on Deck
"We're going to need all hands on deck in order to meet today's 5 o'clock deadline."
![Let’s Take it Offline Let’s Take it Offline](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Let’s Take it Offline
"Since that particular issue doesn't affect everyone on the call, let's take it offline."
![Business as Usual Business as Usual](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Business as Usual
“Despite laying off 75% of our workforce, it's still business as usual.”
![Stakeholder Stakeholder](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Stakeholder
“We need to work with the various stakeholders and come up with a solution to the vampire problem."
![In It to Win It In It to Win It](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
In It to Win It
“It's going to be a tough race, but we're in it to win it.”
![Do More with Less Do More with Less](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Do More with Less
“In these tough economic times, we've got to do more with less.”
![Strike While the Iron Is Hot Strike While the Iron Is Hot](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Strike While the Iron Is Hot
“If we're going to take advantage of this opportunity, we've got to strike while the iron is hot.”
![Gentle Reminder Gentle Reminder](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Gentle Reminder
"This is a gentle reminder to proofread your work before submitting it to me."
![Give 110% Give 110%](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Give 110%
“The only way to beat the competition is to give 110%.”
![Paradigm Shift Paradigm Shift](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Paradigm Shift
“Ned's plan is a paradigm shift from what we've been doing.”
![Low-Hanging Fruit Low-Hanging Fruit](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Low-Hanging Fruit
“In order to increase efficiency, we need to get rid of the low hanging fruit on staff.”
![Ducks in a Row Ducks in a Row](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Ducks in a Row
“Before you make the presentation, make sure you have all your ducks in a row.”
![Circle Back Circle Back](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Circle Back
"Since the campaign is launching early next week, we'll have to circle back tomorrow morning and go over what we have."
![Bandwidth Bandwidth](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Bandwidth
“Mike doesn't have enough bandwidth to lead the company."
![Burning the Candle at Both Ends Burning the Candle at Both Ends](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Burning the Candle at Both Ends
“No wonder she's asleep at her desk, she's been burning the candle at both ends.”
![PFA or Please Find Attached PFA or Please Find Attached](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
PFA or Please Find Attached
"PFA the monthly report."
![Wrap Our Heads Around It Wrap Our Heads Around It](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Wrap Our Heads Around It
“We tried to understand Bob's plan, but we couldn't wrap our heads around it.”
![Rubber Meets the Road Rubber Meets the Road](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Rubber Meets the Road
“After all this planning, tomorrow's launch is where the rubber meets the road.”
![Boots on the Ground Boots on the Ground](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Boots on the Ground
“We hope to have boots on the ground in Europe as soon as the deal is signed.”
![Square the Circle Square the Circle](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Square the Circle
“We're never going to be able to work together unless we square the circle.”
![Lipstick on a Pig Lipstick on a Pig](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Lipstick on a Pig
“You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig.”
![Win-Win Win-Win](https://www.slice.ca/wp-content/themes/slice/assets/default_images_placeholder.png)
Win-Win
“If we all work together, then it's a win-win for everyone.”