What did they say again?
English is rich in idiomatic expressions — and using them can make your language sound authentic and up to date.
First, the idiomatic way
Rob: Morning, Sam. Is everything still running smoothly?
Sam: Perfectly. We just got the go -ahead from the client.
Rob: That’s fantastic! Let me know if I can lend a helping hand.
Now, more simply
Rob: Morning, Sam. Is everything still going well without any problems?
Sam: Perfectly. We just received approval from the client.
Rob: That’s fantastic! Let me know if I can help you in any way.
First, the idiomatic way
Rob: These extra requests came in at the eleventh hour. I’d love to turn them down flat!
Sam: Wow! They’ll put us back another week.
Rob: I’ll find out if there’s any
wiggle room on the timeline.
Now, more simply
Rob: These extra requests came in at the last moment. I’d love to say we can’t do them!
Sam: Wow! They’ll delay us by another week.
Rob: I’ll find out if they can move things around on the timeline.
First, the idiomatic way
Rob: Somehow, we must have got our wires crossed. I thought you were working on the requests. Sam: I have too much on my plate. Julie offered to pitch in. Rob: Make sure you keep me in the loop in future, Sam.
Sam: My bad. Sorry.
Now, more simply
Rob: Somehow, we didn’t communicate very well with each other. I thought you were working on the requests.
Sam: I’ve got too much work. Julie offered to help.
Rob: Make sure you inform me in future, Sam.
Sam: My mistake. Sorry.
First, the idiomatic way
Rob: So, yet again, we only just came in under the wire.
Sam: More by accident than by design!
Rob: We have to keep our projects on track from the get-go. Sam: It might help to build in a buffer. Or change the client!
Now, more simply
Rob: So, yet again, we only just barely finished on time.
Sam: Thanks more to luck than planning.
Rob: We have to keep our projects on schedule from the very beginning.
Sam: It might help to give us some extra time. Or change the client!