Have an ace up your sleeve.

     If you have an ace up your sleeve, it means that you have something in reserve 

     with which you can gain an advantage.

     "Our new product is an ace up our sleeve."

Hold all the aces 

     A person who holds all the aces is in a very strong position because they have 

     more advantages than anyone else.

     "Given the high unemployment figures in some countries, employers hold all 

      the aces."

Ambulance chaser

     This terms refers to a lawyer who finds work by persuading people injured in 

     accidents to claim money from the person who caused the accident.

     "Peterson & Scott are well-known ambulance chasers - that's how they make

      their money!"

Back to the salt mines 

     Saying that you have to go back to the salt mines is a humorous way of  talking 

     about returning to work, usually with some reluctance.

     We get two days off at Christmas and then it's back to the salt mines!

Bait and switch

     This term refers to a deceptive commercial practice of advertising a low-priced

     item to attract customers, then telling them that the product is out of stock 

     and persuading them to buy a more expensive article.

     "This store is famous for its bait and switch tactics."

Blamestorming

     A discussion among a group of people, who try to determine who or what is

     to blame for a particular mistake, failure or wrongdoing, is called 'blamestorming'.

    "A blamestorming session took place following the unfavourable reviews in the

      press."

Blank cheque 

     If you give someone a blank cheque, you authorize them to do what they think 

     is best in a difficult situation.

     "Tom was given a blank cheque and told to negotiate the best deal possible."

Blue chip company

     A company with a solid reputation for the quality of its products and the stability 

     of its growth and earnings is called a blue chip company.

     "It's usually safe to invest in a blue-chip company. 

Above board

     If a situation or business is described as above board, it is open, honest and legal.

     "There are no secret negotiations.  Our dealings have always been above board."

Break your back   

     If you work extremely hard, or put a lot of effort into achieving something, you

     break your back to do it.

     "If you want the job done well, you should accept to pay more. He's not going to 

     break his back for such a low price!"

Bricks and mortar/ bricks and clicks 

     An established trading company (office/shop) is referred to as a 'brick-and-mortar' 

     business. 

     'Click companies' refer to Internet-based operations.

     Companies which do both are called 'bricks and clicks'. 

     "Click businesses are usually more flexible than brick-and-mortar operations."

Pass the buck

     If you say that someone is passing the buck, you are accusing them of not taking

     responsibility for a problem and expecting someone else to handle it.

     "Whenever a customer comes to complain, she always finds a way of looking busy.  

     Talk about passing the buck!"

Business as usual

     After an unpleasant or unexpected event, this expression means that everything is

     continuing in a normal way in spite of the difficulties. 

     "It was business as usual at the supermarket the day after the hold-up."

Business before pleasure

     This expression means that it is considered preferable to finish one's work before

     going to relax and enjoy oneself.

     "I'd love to have lunch with you but I've got a report to finish - business before pleasure

     I'm afraid!"

Business is business

     This is a way of saying that in financial and commercial matters, friendship or 

     personal feelings should not be allowed to have any influence.  

     "I'll hire your brother only if he is the best candidate.  I'm sorry but 

     business is business!"