Is it Okay to Use Idioms in Business Writing?

Shortly after my son learned to read, he was poring over the morning newspaper. “Mommy, what does this mean?” he asked. The headline read, White Collar Workers Fall Through Cracks. It was indecipherable to someone just learning the written language. How could a newcomer know that white-collar workers work in offices, and that falling through cracks means falling through the safety net. The headline was composed entirely of idioms.

An idiom is an expression of a given language that cannot be understood or translated from the individual meanings of its elements. For example, an American might say, "Has the cat got your tongue?" or "It will be a piece of cake," and fellow Americans will know exactly what they mean. Others, not so much. Regional dialects and industry jargon also spawn many idioms. A businessperson might refer to a "ballpark figure" or "monkey business" and confuse their foreign counterpart. As a cultural shorthand, idioms are a valuable form of communication. However, try to avoid them when you are writing at work. Here's why.

What's So Bad About Using Idioms?

1.????????????????? Your reader may have no idea what you are talking about.

Because they are products of a particular cultural group, idioms are only meaningful to people who are in the group.

·???????? When writing for a global audience, keep your English straightforward and use language that can be understood literally.

·???????? If you are an American writing to people who speak English as a second language, avoid using slang and idioms. That letter you wrote to American Apple Pie, Inc. could be read by someone whose first language is Spanish, French, Chinese, or any one of dozens of languages.

·???????? When writing for the Internet, remember that www means Worldwide Web. Anything you post on the Internet is available to the whole world, so avoid colloquial phrases.

2.????????????????? The idiom is probably trite.

Idiomatic phrases are a shortcut to the expression of your idea. Because they are used so frequently, they have already been flogged to death by other writers. George Orwell once wrote that if you've seen a phrase in print more than once, you should not use it again. Take his advice. Make up your own way of saying what you want to say.

3.????????????????? Idioms are probably too informal for use in business documents.

Idioms are more commonly used when speaking than when writing. Most people instinctively know that their idiomatic phrases are unsuited for the written page. That's why they put them in quotation marks to show that they are hip to what's up.

The Good News About Idioms

??????????? On the other hand, idioms can be awfully handy. The benefits of using idioms are almost the same as the drawbacks, depending on your point of view.

1.????????????????? If your reader shares your cultural background or in-group status, the idiom indicates that you, too, are a member of that group.

Idiomatic phrases take root in a language because they express an idea or feeling immediately for members of a certain group. Thus, they offer a quick way to convey your message.

2.????????????????? The idiom might be the perfect way to express what you are trying to say.

Let's face it: Sometimes nothing works as well as an idiomatic or proverbial phrase. When the well-worn phrase is the only one that works, then run with it. I said you should avoid idioms, not exclude them entirely.

3.????????????????? Idioms save you the trouble of thinking of a new way to say what you want to say.

This is actually a drawback, but if you're feeling sluggish, it's a benefit.

Net Net, What's the Deal with Idioms?

In certain situations, an idiom can be just the ticket to get your meaning across. However, you'll miss the boat if you use a phrase that is indecipherable to your reader. Granted, foreign readers probably learned a few idioms in their English classes, but they still don't know as many idiomatic phrases you do. People from a different region of your own country may also use different colloquialisms and dialects than you do. Cut them a break! Go easy on the slang.

A word to the wise: Do not use an idiom unless you are fully integrated into the group from which it comes. Using idioms appropriately requires a mastery of their context, nuance and connotation, which you probably do not have unless you are well integrated into the culture or sub-culture. Don't try to prove yourself by using an insider's idiom. You will drive people nuts if you do.

I hate to beat a dead horse, but the solution to the idiom problem is the same as the solution to many other thorny communication issues: Write everything in plain English and you won't leave any readers behind.

If you would like to learn more about writing effectively at work, you can contact Elizabeth Danziger at [email protected].

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