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Original poster

What phrase do you hear ALL THE TIME during your working day, that makes you want to scream?!

468 replies

Ilovemychocolate · 24/04/2026 13:33

So I’m a childminder.
Whilst out with the kids (presently four 2 year olds) I hear “you’ve got your hands full” multiple times a day!
Over and over again, and it’s SO hard to react with a smile sometimes! (But I do obviously)
When I worked in shops it was “printed it this morning!” if someone handed me a fresh note.
So what do you hear constantly whilst working, that makes you scream inside?!

OP posts:
MogsKittens · 24/04/2026 14:43

CarrotChow · 24/04/2026 13:42

Any email involving the word ‘gentle’.

I swear in my head and lose all respect for the sender.

Ugh this is my least favourite one too - makes me feel violent so the opposite of gentle! It comes across really patronising I think.

metalmutha · 24/04/2026 14:39

Close of play.
Working is nothing like playing.

Ofsted ready

Can you just.....

It is never ever a 'just'

Drives me mad.

WildGarden · 24/04/2026 14:37

"When I bought it it was only in a little pot" when I'm digging out a quarter acre of bamboo in someone's garden.

PangolinPan · 24/04/2026 14:37

Far too many I've only heard on my workplace but one that makes my teeth itch is "foot on the ball moment" which took me SOME TIME to parse the first time I heard it as I don't spend every weekend watching football.

Favory · 24/04/2026 14:36

Work emails that start "I hope you're well". Nope, you couldn't give a flying fuck. What do you want?

Ex boss used to say "I'm relaxed about ... " Good for you. "Yes" or fucking "No" are the answers I'm looking for, I don't care how you feel.

neverbeenskiing · 24/04/2026 14:36

"I can see you're really busy BUT..."
"I can see you're right in the middle of something BUT..."
"I know you're just about to go into a meeting BUT..."

Invariably followed by something that is not urgent and that they could have emailed to me or dealt with themselves by exercising a little common sense.

ApproachingMinimums · 24/04/2026 14:36

Zov · 24/04/2026 13:52

I hate, HATE, HATE...

'Teamwork Makes The Dream Work!'

ARGH!!!!!! (Mostly because at least half of 'the team' don't pull their weight!' Hmm

Plus it's not a dream. Most people that have this said to them do not consider that particular days work or project, a dream!

Naughtynormansmum · 24/04/2026 14:34

"Do you work here?"
Obviously I do when I'm working and wearing the uniform! Drives me mad every day.

HangingOver · 24/04/2026 14:32

People being "excited". Stop lying.

TheBewleySisters · 24/04/2026 14:31

An iconic building/film/person/moment - stop saying everything is iconic! I hear this on tv shows, ads, the news .... not everything is iconic!!!

Workisntworking · 24/04/2026 14:27

It is what it is
Yes, we're all busy.

An easy way to not appropriately manage the situation.

Mydogisagentleman · 24/04/2026 14:27

Making fucking memories

Bushmillsbabe · 24/04/2026 14:27

skiprun · 24/04/2026 14:23

“It is what it is”

well yes I know it is.

Yes. My husband says this, drives me mad. 'At the end of the day, it is what it is'

It's not the end of the day, it's 11am. And what exactly has this comment actually added to the discussion 🤔

ThreadGuardDog · 24/04/2026 14:26

‘Going forward’ and ‘reaching out’.

LadyHexham · 24/04/2026 14:26

On a daily basis.

No!

How about regularly, or every day?

Malasana · 24/04/2026 14:25

Namechangedforthisoneyep · 24/04/2026 13:45

It’s never a minute either 🤣

Show quote history

It’s the place where time stands still!

Bushmillsbabe · 24/04/2026 14:25

'In the nicest possible way .....'. Often said when someone is about to say something rude or patronising but wants to make themself look or feel better

cadburyegg · 24/04/2026 14:24

Stand up
Circle back
Workstream
Workflow
Working group
Wellbeing
Knowledge bites
Get involved!

skiprun · 24/04/2026 14:23

“It is what it is”

well yes I know it is.

mrsannefourmile · 24/04/2026 14:22

not just at work, but ‘super’ instead of perhaps ‘very’

e.g “I know I’m super early!”

but i feel the same with all the American words and phrases being used in Britain now. It really annoys me!

Mapletreelane · 24/04/2026 14:22

"Agile"....we gave to be agile, agile working.

Reminds me of my Brownies badge for agility. I have to resist the urge to stand in one leg or touch my toes whenever I hear this.

Paganpentacle · 24/04/2026 14:19

''It's a couple of things, actually....''
No. Just....no.

puppyparent · 24/04/2026 14:18

Loads of things:

I hope this finds you well (no you don’t)
Happy New Year! (in late January)
Thanks much (annoying Americanism)
Warm regards (just ew)
Sorry I was on mute (wake up for god’s sake)

Bushmillsbabe · 24/04/2026 14:18

KPI's eg. 'why aren't you meeting your KPI's' 'let's rv our KPI's this month' 'X manager wants to add another KPI' .

Manager on 100k 'Why arent we meeting them'?

Me - Because this stupid government has cut our nhs teams budget 5% every year for past 3 years you big dumbass

Mapletreelane · 24/04/2026 14:17

Oohanothername · 24/04/2026 14:09

We need to 'pivot' is driving my colleagues crazy at the moment 😂

There is only one thing that springs to mind.... (also all I can think of when anyone mentions pivot tables lol!)

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