Phrases & Expressions

To ensure someone is kept informed about the progress or details of a situation.

• Keep me in the loop about the client's feedback.
• Please keep the team in the loop on all decisions.

To spread things out or arrange them so they can be seen or used.

• She laid out her clothes on the bed the night before the trip.
• The waiter laid out the knives and forks on the table.

To mention something to be considered.

• She raised an important question.
• This raises serious questions.

Excessive bureaucracy or adherence to official rules and formalities, often causing delays.

• There's too much red tape to get the permit.
• We need to cut through the red tape.

To manage a company.

• She runs a small business.
• It's hard to run a business alone.

To decide on a goal.

• The company set ambitious targets.
• We set new targets every quarter.

To establish a level of quality that others should aim for.

• Their work sets the standard for the industry.
• This hotel sets the standard for excellent customer service.

To make significant changes to a situation or organization to make it more exciting or effective.

• The new manager wants to shake things up.
• Let's shake things up and try a new approach.

To stop operating, or to close a business or factory.

• The company decided to shut down the factory.
• The restaurant shut down after only six months.

To discuss matters thoroughly to reach a decision or agreement.

• We need to talk things over before we decide.
• They talked things over and made up.