Understanding the language spoken in the boardroom or during meetings can be challenging. For Gen Z, entering the workforce isn’t just about acing the job but also decoding some corporate jargon and terms that they’ve never come across. But we got you covered. We’ve put together some of the most commonly used phrases to help make work a little easier.
1. Add some color
Add additional details or context.
“Can you add some color to the slides so everyone’s caught up to speed?”
2. Alignment
If teams in a company are in alignment, it means they’re collaborating and working well together toward the same goals.
“We need to get everyone in alignment on this before we take any next steps.”
3. At capacity
Too busy; already has a full plate of work.
“Sorry, I’m at capacity and can’t take that on.”
4. Bandwidth
Ability to take on more work. If someone has the bandwidth, they can take more on; if they don’t, they’re too busy.
“Do you have the bandwidth to take on another project this month?”
5. Churn
The amount of accounts, clients, money, etc., a business has lost.
“We had three customers churn this year because of their budget cuts.”
6. Circle back
Come back to it later.
“Let’s circle back to this on Monday.”
7. Deck
A presentation. It could be on Powerpoint, Google Slides, or Keynote.
“I’ll need that deck finished by our 2 p.m. meeting.”
8. Deliverables
Your work that needs to be completed.
“Please send those deliverables over to me by EOD.”
9. EOD
The end of the work day.
“Can you put together the presentation by EOD.”
10. Ideate
Brainstorm, think, and come up with ideas.
“Let me have some time and ideate on this.”
11. Jump ship
When someone leaves a company.
“The company must have a high turnover; three people jumped ship this month.”
12. Move the needle
Make noticeable progress toward your result.
“We need to move the needle on this before month’s end.”
13. OOO
Out of office. Someone may be on vacation, have an appointment, etc.
“I won’t be attending that meeting; I’m OOO that week.”
14. Piggybacking
Adding onto an already established idea.
“Piggybacking on that, I think adding some employee images would make it more authentic.”
15. Run it up the flagpole
Suggesting a new idea to see what others think.
“Good idea; let’s run it up the flagpole at the next meeting.”
16. Standup
A regular meeting, usually one that goes over status updates and what individual team members are working on.
“I’ll get a status update at the standup.”
17. Take it offline
Usually said during a meeting when someone wants to continue a conversation privately.
“That’s a good point; let’s take it offline after the meeting.”
18. Takeaways
What you learned from the experience.
“Can everyone put their takeaways in the deck so we can reflect and decide on next steps?”
19. Touch base
A quick meeting; time to connect with someone.
“Can we touch base after your meeting?”
20. Wheelhouse
Your strengths and areas of expertise.
“This is totally in your wheelhouse, so you should be leading this project”.
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Amanee Hasan
Amanee Hasan is a Senior Content Writer at ZenHR, an award-winning and top-rated HR solution that offers world-class HR software services in the MENA region. Her main focuses are SEO, UX writing, copywriting, and creating content highlighting the latest HR trends, and gives organizations and individuals the tools they need to create successful work environments where people thrive.
