Part 1: Business Meetings & Negotiations Collocations
Collocations are words that naturally go together. These phrases are common when talking about business meetings & negotiations.
Common Business Meetings & Negotiations Collocations
| Collocation | Example | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| reach a consensus | "After hours of discussion, they reached a consensus." | Agree as a group |
| table a proposal | "She tabled a proposal for the new marketing plan." | Formally suggest something for discussion |
| set the agenda | "It's my job to set the agenda for tomorrow's meeting." | Decide the topics to discuss |
| reach a deadlock | "The negotiations reached a deadlock over pricing." | Get stuck with no progress |
| strike a deal | "They finally struck a deal after weeks of talks." | Agree on terms |
| common ground | "Both sides found common ground on the budget issue." | Shared points of agreement |
More Business Meetings & Negotiations Collocations
| Collocation | Example |
|---|---|
| binding agreement | "The contract is a legally binding agreement." |
| opening offer | "Their opening offer was too low." |
| closed-door meeting | "The board held a closed-door meeting." |
| action points | "We need to note down the action points." |
| key stakeholders | "All key stakeholders were present at the meeting." |
Practice: Collocations
Exercise 1: Complete the collocations (no hints)
1. After hours of discussion, they reached a __________.
2. She __________ a proposal for the new marketing plan.
3. It's my job to set the __________ for tomorrow's meeting.
4. The negotiations reached a __________.
5. They finally __________ a deal after weeks of talks.
Part 2: Business Meetings & Negotiations Idioms
Idioms add colour and natural expression to your English when talking about business meetings & negotiations.
Common Business Meetings & Negotiations Idioms:
- get the ball rolling – start something "Let's get the ball rolling with introductions."
- on the same page – in agreement or understanding the same thing "Before we continue, let's make sure we're on the same page."
- play hardball – negotiate aggressively "The union decided to play hardball over pay."
- a win-win situation – an outcome good for everyone "The merger was a win-win situation for both companies."
- back to the drawing board – start planning again after failure "The client rejected our pitch, so it's back to the drawing board."
- cut to the chase – get to the point quickly "Let's cut to the chase and talk numbers."
Practice: Idioms
Exercise 2: Complete the idioms (no hints)
1. Let's get the __________ rolling with introductions.
2. Before we continue, let's make sure we're on the same __________.
3. The union decided to __________ hardball over pay.
4. The merger was a __________-win situation for both companies.
5. The client rejected our pitch, so it's back to the drawing __________.
Part 3: Business Meetings & Negotiations Phrasal Verbs
These phrasal verbs are commonly used when talking about business meetings & negotiations.
| Phrasal Verb | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| follow up | contact again after a first meeting | "I'll follow up with an email tomorrow." |
| run something by someone | ask for someone's opinion first | "Let me run this by my manager." |
| iron out | resolve small problems | "We need to iron out a few details before signing." |
| draw up | prepare a formal document | "Our lawyer will draw up the contract." |
| sign off on | give formal approval | "The director needs to sign off on the budget." |
Usage Tips:
Run something by someone is informal and common in meetings before a decision.
Iron out is specifically for resolving minor issues, not major conflicts.
Draw up is used for formal documents like contracts or plans.
Practice: Phrasal Verbs
Exercise 3: Complete the phrasal verbs (no hints)
1. I'll __________ up with an email tomorrow.
2. Let me __________ this by my manager.
3. We need to __________ out a few details before signing.
4. Our lawyer will __________ up the contract.
5. The director needs to __________ off on the budget.
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