idioms
Idioms & Natural Expressions
Fixed expressions and idiomatic language to sound more natural and precise.
30 minC1c1idiomsentrepreneurship-start-upsstartupsentrepreneurshipinnovation
Lesson objectives
- Use idiomatic language connected to entrepreneurship & start-ups more naturally.
- Distinguish neutral, formal and contemporary expressions.
- Recognise when an expression improves fluency without sounding forced.
Idioms & expressions — Entrepreneurship & Start-ups
To hit the ground running · neutral
neutralMeaning:To start a new venture or project with great energy and immediate success.
Significado:Empezar algo con mucha fuerza y eficacia desde el primer momento.
Example:We need to hire a lead developer who can hit the ground running as soon as the seed funding clears.
To pivot · neutral
neutralMeaning:To fundamentally change the direction of a business when the current model is not working.
Significado:Cambiar radicalmente la estrategia o el modelo de negocio.
Example:The initial app failed to gain traction, so the founders decided to pivot towards a B2B subscription model.
To disrupt the market · formal
formalMeaning:To create a new product or service that significantly changes the way an industry operates.
Significado:Transformar o revolucionar un sector mediante la innovación.
Example:Their new AI-driven logistics platform is poised to disrupt the market entirely.
To be in the red · neutral
neutralMeaning:To be in a state of financial loss or debt.
Significado:Estar en números rojos / tener pérdidas.
Example:After six months of heavy R&D spending, the startup is still in the red, but investors remain optimistic.
To scale up · neutral
neutralMeaning:To increase the size, reach, or capacity of a business.
Significado:Escalar el negocio / aumentar la capacidad de producción o alcance.
Example:Once we validate the prototype, our primary goal will be to scale up across the European market.
To burn through capital · neutral
neutralMeaning:To spend money very quickly, often at an unsustainable rate.
Significado:Consumir capital rápidamente / quemar dinero.
Example:If we don't secure a Series A round soon, we are going to burn through our remaining capital by Q3.
To be AI-native · neutral
neutralMeaning:A contemporary term for a company or process built from the ground up using artificial intelligence as its core.
Significado:Una empresa o proceso diseñado nativamente con inteligencia artificial.
Example:Unlike legacy firms, our AI-native workflow allows us to automate 90% of customer support instantly.
To lean into the tech · informal
formalMeaning:To fully embrace and integrate new technological advancements into a business model.
Significado:Apostar fuerte por la tecnología / integrarse plenamente en las nuevas herramientas tecnológicas.
Example:To stay competitive in this digital economy, we must lean into the tech and automate our supply chain.
To solve for X · informal
formalMeaning:A contemporary way to describe identifying and addressing a complex, fundamental problem.
Significado:Resolver el problema fundamental / encontrar la solución clave.
Example:We aren't just building another social app; we are trying to solve for X in terms of digital privacy.
To have a seat at the table · neutral
neutralMeaning:To have the opportunity to participate in important decisions or influence high-level strategy.
Significado:Tener voz y voto en las decisiones importantes / tener presencia en la mesa directiva.
Example:The goal of this merger is to ensure our startup has a seat at the table with the industry giants.