We’ve all fallen into the trap of using overblown corporate jargon – maybe you thought it made you sound smarter, or maybe it just slipped into your vocabulary without you noticing. Either way, it’s time for a jargon detox! These empty phrases and clichés not only make you sound less intelligent but can seriously muddle your communication. If you want to be clear, concise, and come across as someone who actually knows what they’re talking about, it’s time to ditch these cringe-worthy offenders. Ready to boost your professional credibility and spare your coworkers from secondhand embarrassment?
1. “Let’s circle back/touch base on that.”
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“Touch base” has long been one of the most hated office phrases, NPR reveals, and that won’t be changing anytime soon. What does this even mean? If you have a specific question, ask it! If you need to follow up on something, be clear about your next steps: “Let’s schedule a meeting next week to discuss this in detail” or “Can you email me an update on this project by Friday?”
2. “Think outside the box”/ “Let’s be disruptive!”
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These clichés have lost all meaning and make you sound like a broken record. Instead of vague buzzwords, propose a concrete new approach: “What if we tried a focus group to get direct customer feedback?” Suggesting something specific shows you’ve actually put thought into it.
3. “It’s on my radar” / “I’m putting this on the backburner.”
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These are just fancy ways of saying “I’m aware of this” or “This isn’t a priority right now.” Being direct and honest about your time management is way more professional. Try saying something like, “I can’t get to this until next month; is that okay?”
4. “Let’s unpack this” / “Drill down deeper”
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More overused phrases that add absolutely no value! If you need clarification, ask a specific question: “Can you walk me through the budget calculations one more time?” Or, if you want to focus on a particular issue, say so directly: “I’m concerned about the timeline for this project; can we go over that?”
5. “Reach out” / “Loop me in”
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Just say “contact” or “include.” Seriously, there’s no need to overcomplicate basic communication!
6. “Bandwidth” / “I don’t have the capacity”
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As Binu Nair writes on LinkedIn, you’re talking about time and resources, so say that clearly! It’s more helpful and professional to say, “I’m completely booked next week. Could we push this meeting to Monday the 15th?” Being specific lets people know when you actually will be available.
7. “Value-add” / “It’s a win-win”
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These sound nice in theory, but ultimately, what do they even mean? Focus on concrete outcomes and benefits: “This new strategy could increase our sales by 10%” or “Partnering with this company will help us reach a wider audience.” Specificity shows you’ve done your homework and adds credibility.
8. “Boil the ocean”
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This one is just weird and makes you sound a little out of touch. If a project seems too overwhelming, say so directly: “This project is too big to tackle all at once. Can we break it down into smaller phases?” or “I’ll need additional resources to complete this by the deadline.”
9. “Synergy” / “Let’s leverage our assets”
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Translation: cooperation and resources. Just use those words instead, they’re much clearer and less pretentious! Instead of relying on buzzwords, explain the specific benefits of collaboration: “If we combine our marketing and sales teams, we can create a more targeted campaign.”
10. “It is what it is”
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This fatalistic phrase shows a lack of problem-solving skills and initiative. Instead, try: “That’s definitely a setback. Let’s brainstorm some solutions and see how we can adjust our plan.” Taking a proactive approach demonstrates your ability to adapt and overcome challenges.
11. “Bleeding-edge” / “Paradigm shift”
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Unless you genuinely work at the forefront of technological innovation, these sound pretentious and a bit desperate. Stick to simple descriptions of what makes your idea or product new and exciting: “This software uses AI to streamline tasks, saving users significant time.”
12. “Let’s take this offline”
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Sometimes this is necessary for sensitive discussions or if a meeting is getting derailed. But often, it’s used to avoid difficult conversations altogether. A better approach is to set clear expectations or boundaries directly: “To stay on track, let’s table this for now and revisit it in our one-on-one meeting.”
13. “At the end of the day…”
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You likely mean “ultimately” or “the most important thing is…” – so ditch the cliche and just say that! Clear and concise communication always makes you sound smarter and more confident.
