5 Common English Phrases That Confuse Non-Natives
Business English is full of idiomatic expressions that sound perfectly natural to native speakers but can be completely baffling to non-native English speakers. These phrases often don't translate well, and their literal meanings don't match their actual usage. Understanding these common expressions is essential for effective cross-cultural communication. This guide explains five phrases that frequently cause confusion, helping you understand not just what they mean, but when and how to use them appropriately in professional contexts.
1. "Let's circle back on this"
"Let's circle back on this"This phrase means "let's return to discuss this topic later." It has nothing to do with actual circles or going backward. Native speakers use it to table a discussion without rejecting it, often when time is limited or more information is needed. For non-native speakers, the confusion comes from the spatial metaphor—why "circle" and why "back"? The phrase originates from the idea of circling around to revisit something on your path.
2. "I'll ping you"
"I'll ping you""Ping" in this context means to send someone a quick message or email, usually through digital channels like Slack, Teams, or email. The term comes from computer networking, where "ping" tests connectivity by sending a signal. Non-native speakers often find this confusing because the literal meaning (making a sound) doesn't match the actual usage (sending a message). It implies a quick, informal check-in rather than a detailed conversation.
3. "Can we take this offline?"
"Can we take this offline?"This means "let's discuss this privately or outside of this meeting," not literally going offline from the internet. It's used when a topic is too detailed, too sensitive, or only relevant to a few people in the meeting. The confusion arises because "offline" literally means "not connected to the internet," but in business context, it means "outside of this group setting." Even in virtual meetings, people say "take it offline" to mean continuing the discussion separately.
4. "Let's put a pin in that"
"Let's put a pin in that"This phrase means "let's pause this discussion and return to it later," similar to "circle back" but with a slightly different nuance. The imagery comes from pinning something to a board to keep track of it for later. Non-native speakers often find this completely mystifying because pins aren't involved at all. It suggests the topic is worth discussing but not right now—you're "pinning" it for future reference rather than forgetting about it.
5. "I'll loop you in"
"I'll loop you in""Loop you in" means to include someone in communication or keep them informed about a project or conversation. The metaphor comes from being inside a "loop" of information rather than outside it. For non-native speakers, the phrase can be confusing because there's no actual loop involved. It's commonly used when adding someone to an email thread or including them in updates about something they weren't originally part of.