“When the rubber meets the road” and other idioms

I’ve heard from some nonnative speakers that they are reluctant to use idioms at work as they think that such phrases are unprofessional. But the truth is that Americans use them everywhere, so don’t be afraid. Of course, if you are not sure if the situation is appropriate, you can always stay more on the formal side. But the more you use certain idioms and pay attention when other people use them, the more you will notice that they are an ubiquitous part of American English.

Five idioms you can use at work (and not only)

So, to continue with the series from last week, here are five more idioms that you can use in the professional environment.

1. To march to the beat of your own drum

Have you ever felt unhappy at work because your boss or other managers above you always tell you what to do? Maybe you’ve considered quitting and starting your own business because you don’t like to follow other people’s directions, schedules, and agendas? If so, you might be a person who prefers to march at the beat of your own drum. That is, you prefer to live and act independently and follow your own ideas and beliefs.

Examples:

• I prefer to march to the beat of my own drum, rather than following the crowd and conforming to societal norms.

• Being true to myself and marching to the beat of my own drum has brought me a sense of freedom and fulfillment in life.

2. Along for the ride

Have you ever been a part of a project, but didn’t feel invested in the actual work at all? You were doing it because you had to and because you are a good team member, but instead of being excited and coming up with creative ideas, you found yourself to only be a passive participant. Yes, you were present during the meetings and you did what was expected from you, but you didn’t understand the purpose of the project and you didn’t feel you had much control over the outcome. If you have ever been in such a situation, you were just going along for the ride.

Examples:

• I was just along for the ride, not really knowing what to expect or what was going to happen next.

• Despite not being fully invested in the decision, I went along for the ride to support my friends and be a part of the experience.

3. To follow the herd

This one has a bit of a negative connotation because it implies a lack of originality and boldness. People who follow the herd often agree with others because they are afraid to stand out. Being different and expressing an opinion that goes against a popular belief often leads to being judged and many people are afraid of being labeled as “difficult.” But if you see yourself as an original and daring person, you could say that you don’t like to follow the herd.

Examples:

• It can be tempting to follow the herd and conform to the popular opinion, but it’s important to consider your own values and beliefs.

• Following the herd may provide a sense of security, but it can also lead to blindly accepting ideas and missing out on unique perspectives and opportunities.

4. To preach to the choir

Have you ever had a friend who was trying to convince you about something you had already agreed with? You probably wanted to tell this friend, “Why are you wasting your time? I share your opinion. We are on the same page.” If you ever find yourself in such a situation in the future, you can tell the other person that he/she/they is/are preaching to the choir.

Examples:

• The speaker was just preaching to the choir, as the audience already held the same beliefs and opinions.

• Preaching to the choir may provide a temporary ego boost, but it does little to challenge one’s beliefs or reach those who hold differing opinions.

5. When the rubber meets the road

This one refers to a moment when your theoretical ideas and plans are put into action and you can see how effective they are. For example, you and your team at work might have spent quite some time planning a certain project. But it is the moment when you put your plans into practice when you are actually able to judge if these ideas worked in reality.

Examples:

• When the rubber met the road, I realized that all my theories and plans needed to be adjusted in order to succeed in the real world.

• The team’s performance was impressive in practice, but when the rubber met the road, they struggled to execute under pressure and achieve success.

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Note that you can also use more than one of these phrases at the same time. Try to come up with a few sentences of your own and put these phrases to work. Share at least one of your examples in the comment section. Remember, the more you use new idioms, the more you will remember them when you need to.

You can learn more idioms from my other posts:

• “To run out of steam” and other idioms
• “You nailed it” and other idioms

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