When you’re in the midst of one of those days at work, a bit of humor helps. Sometimes, the moments you encounter at work are so ridiculous you can’t help but laugh. Maybe your boss is in a mood or Gary the gossiper is spreading a rumor about you. Sometimes it’s a customer who seems to delight in spilling their bad juju on you. Shake it off with a belly laugh. There is so much slang used at work, for example, that we just accept it as normal. But it sounds weird if you’ve never heard it before. Beat a dead horse, anyone?
You probably use some of this slang at work without a second thought. You may have even nodded along when someone used one of these phrases without being entirely sure what they meant. Sometimes, context helps but sometimes the verbiage makes no sense to a rational mind unaccustomed to all the silly things said at work. When you’re over it and need to decompress, it’s therapeutic to giggle your way through some of the most common phrases used at work.
To put this list of funny work slang together, 247 Tempo didn’t have to look far. Sites like the New York Post, Business Insider, and Reddit all offer a look into conversations held at work. Anyone with a job can relate to the use of work slang when in work mode. When you’re not in work mode, they’re just hilarious. (To learn more interesting phrases, check out US Phrases That Make No Sense to the Rest of the World.)
Brownie points
This saying means you’re getting extra attention or praise for doing something above and beyond. It’s a nice boost to the ego, but that’s pretty much it. You can’t trade brownie points in for cold, hard cash (which would be way better than the ego boost).
A day late and a dollar short
This is a confusing and seemingly nice way of saying that whatever was produced is not enough. Nothing quite like a bit of passive aggressiveness on a Monday to get the week started with inner rage as fuel.
Cost an arm and a leg
Paying with limbs is not a thing (unless you’re in a different kind of business altogether). This saying means that something is prohibitively expensive.
All work and no play
When saying this, you’re noting that you’ve been working a lot, leaving no time for life’s pleasures. It’s much better to “work hard and play hard” rather than burn out because you didn’t create a decent work-life balance.
Backburner
When something is placed on the back burner, it means it’s set aside for execution at a later time. (Often this means it’s forgotten altogether.)
Start off on the right foot
This saying refers to the start of a project. Essentially, you want to get things started correctly, which allows for a harmonious project throughout. Does it ever happen though?
Burning the midnight oil
This saying refers to those days when you work overtime, often in a crunch to get a task completed before the deadline. It’s never fun, especially not when it’s the result of a higher-up’s oversight.
Wishy-washy
If this saying is used, it means someone is vacillating, and needs to make up their mind already. You lose credibility when you’re wishy-washy, which results in missed opportunities.
Beating a dead horse
The imagery this saying brings up is not at all related to its meaning. When you “beat a dead horse,” you are broaching a topic or trying to execute an idea that is proven not to work.
Bite the bullet
When you “bite the bullet,” you just suck it up and forge forward. Much like what you do on Monday mornings and during those weekly meetings that don’t seem to accomplish anything.
Show you the ropes
This saying means someone is going to show you how to do something. This occurs during the first days at work when there is training, assuming you’re not just thrown in for a “trial by fire.”
Call the shots
A multi-ethnic group of medical staff are indoors in a hospital. They are wearing medical clothing. A Caucasian female doctor is giving a presentation to the others.
The person who “calls the shots” is the boss or leader of a project. It means final decisions are filtered through them. Usually, they’re unpleasant. But they manage to delegate with a smile on their face.
A piece of cake
This saying refers to something that is exceptionally easy. Even when it’s not.
All ears
When someone is “all ears,” it means you have their undivided attention. A rarity in the smartphone era.
Bent out of shape
This saying refers to feeling out of sorts or upset about something. It’s usually uttered with a judgmental tone.
Bounce ideas
If you picture ideas as balls, you can imagine how they’re passed to one another in a meeting room while a team works out the kinks of a project or innovates. Sometimes, it’s like a friendly game of ping pong. Other times, it’s like death by dodgeball.
Bring home the bacon
It’s a staple food in many kitchens and when you bring it home, it means you’re earning money. Which you need… for the bacon.
Pass the buck
Two business colleagues working together in meeting space. Mentor instructing newcomer. Young Indian woman with laptop and mid adult man with tablet discussing new project. Teamwork or training concept (Two business colleagues working together in meet
When you “pass the buck,” you’re absolving yourself of responsibility. There’s at least one person in every work setting who is notorious for this. Usually, it’s your boss.
Work fingers to the bone
When you’re typing your life away, it may feel like this. But this saying refers to working non-stop. Keep your finger flesh. Take a break.
Back to square one
When you’ve spent time on a project and find that it’s not going well, you have to go “back to square one,” which means you have to start over. Yes, this is the moment when you seriously consider burning the whole place down. (Not had your fill of workplace humor? Check out The Funny Side of the Grind: Here Are 31 Hilarious Quips About Work.)