1.- Business idioms: A successful career.

As you already know idioms are fixed expressions whose meaning does not come from the meaning of the individual words which form these expressions. Idioms are informal expressions, so don't use them in formal situations.

We've already learned about climbing the corporate ladder. This idioms means to advance in one's career; the process of getting promoted and making it to senior management.

• Do you want to climb the corporate ladder? It helps to be productive and to look good in front of your boss.

Below you can find a list of idioms related to having a successful career.

• Bang for the buck: value for the money spent.
  • We were able to get much bang for the buck when we advertised on the Internet.
• Big cheese/gun/wheel: an important person, a leader.
  • The new director was a big wheel in his previous company.
• Company man: a person who always works hard for his company and supports the company policies.
  • My father was a company man and he always put in an extra effort for his company.
• (To) cut a deal: to make a business arrangement or contract with someone.
  • I was able to cut a deal with the contractor and we paid very little for our new kitchen.
• (To) gain ground: to go forward, to make progress.
  • Our company is gaining ground in its attempt to be the best in the industry.
• (To) get a raise: to get an increase in one's salary.
  • My sister works hard and she recently got a raise in her new job.
• (To) get off the ground: to make a successful beginning.
  • We were unable to get the new product off the ground but we will try again next year.
• (To) give (someone) the green light: to give someone permission to go ahead or proceed with something.
  • Our boss gave us the green light to begin work on the new sales campaign.
• (To) have good contacts: to know people who can help you get a job or do some kind of business.
  • The salesman has good contacts and always sells many products.
• (To) mean business: to be serious.
  • Our boss means business when he tells everyone to work harder.
• (To) put one's nose to the grindstone: to work diligently or hard.
  • I put my nose to the grindstone and finished the job before the weekend.
• (To) strike while the iron is hot: to take advantage of an opportunity.
  • I plan to strike while the iron is hot and apply for the job quickly.

Adapted from: http://www.eslmania.com/students/idioms/Business_idioms.htm and http://www.idiomconnection.com/business.html#A