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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:
Namechange8641 · 24/04/2026 14:14

Namechanged as these will be recognised by anyone in my team, but 'ecosystem' and 'workstream'. Someone kept a tally of mentions of the latter in a recent meeting (56).

Also, who knew that "socialising" a plan didn't mean taking it out for a drink?!

LegoTherapy · 24/04/2026 14:14

People using the words “like” and “apparently” as punctuation. I’m looking at you dc2 and 3!
Reaching out. Journey. Why is everything a journey now?

Legomania · 24/04/2026 14:13

PillsBox · 24/04/2026 14:02

The woman who runs the staff canteen is constantly hearing "Can I get a coffee?" or "Can I get a sandwich?"

She never tires of saying "Errrm no. I'll get it and you can pay for it, how does that sound?" 😁

She sounds annoying (what with it being a common phrase)

Mapletreelane · 24/04/2026 14:13

Drpawpawspaw · 24/04/2026 13:52

“Thanks for reaching out”

I didn’t. Reaching for you would imply I want to instigate physical contact. Take it from this menopausal guardian of strict boundaries I do not.

nor will I be “circling back” to continue this pointless exchange.

Absolutely agree ...the only people allowed to use "reach out" in a working capacity are the Four Tops!

Magicschoolbusdropout · 24/04/2026 14:12

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

I was just going to write this

From the manager that does fuck all while we run around like headless chickens

Make me want to headbutt her

NeverendingRabbitHole · 24/04/2026 14:12

sensecheck

let's sensecheck it first, can I sensecheck this with you all, I sensechecked it with a working group and . . . .

gillette · 24/04/2026 14:10

"That was a rich discussion"

😤

StandingDeskDisco · 24/04/2026 14:10

PillsBox · 24/04/2026 14:02

The woman who runs the staff canteen is constantly hearing "Can I get a coffee?" or "Can I get a sandwich?"

She never tires of saying "Errrm no. I'll get it and you can pay for it, how does that sound?" 😁

Good for her!

Drpawpawspaw · 24/04/2026 14:10

Oohanothername · 24/04/2026 14:09

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

Yes. WTF does that even mean?

Oohanothername · 24/04/2026 14:09

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

JontyGentooey · 24/04/2026 14:07

"hope this helps"

Sounds so ridiculously passive aggressive.

ButterYellowHair · 24/04/2026 14:06

PeopleLikeColdplayYouCantTrustPeopleJez · 24/04/2026 13:43

“Does this mean it’s free?” Whenever an item doesn’t have a barcode/working barcode.

Always said by someone who thinks they’re the first person ever.

Nobody thinks they’re the first to make this joke. Part of living in society is having this kind of background small talk that becomes formulaic between strangers. They make the joke because they’ve heard the joke and it’s ’what you say’ to the cashier when this happens. It’s part of a social contract that says ‘we are the same, we acknowledge this issue, it is ok, we know how it goes’.

WilfredsPies · 24/04/2026 14:04

What’s happening with ABC? Did you look on the system? It’s all on there, along with next actions and review dates. And that would have taken you 8 seconds and let me continue uninterrupted, rather than the minute plus it has taken to message me, me look it up, write you a summary and send it back, and then find I’ve completely lost my train of thought.

I can’t find… Did you actually look? Or did you just think I’ll message Wilf, she’ll send me the link?

Can I just pick your brain? No mate, you can’t. Partly because you’re the seventh person to pick it in the last hour and I need to do my own work, and partly because when I need help with your area of expertise, you’re always too busy. Sod off.

Weeelokthen · 24/04/2026 14:03

Mistymaglets · 24/04/2026 13:40

" six seven"

😂

TragicMuse · 24/04/2026 14:03

At the moment it’s ’spin up’ instead of ‘create’ or ‘make’ in relation to draft documents, web pages, templates, everything!

I don’t know where it came from but its irritation-quotient is high!

hellospring26 · 24/04/2026 14:03

Can we just lean in

PillsBox · 24/04/2026 14:02

The woman who runs the staff canteen is constantly hearing "Can I get a coffee?" or "Can I get a sandwich?"

She never tires of saying "Errrm no. I'll get it and you can pay for it, how does that sound?" 😁

Monty36 · 24/04/2026 14:02

Not at work anymore but I used to hate and still do :

Deliver at pace.

Or people saying. ‘ It made me emotional’ as opposed to happy, angry, annoyed etc.

TheHungryHungryLandsharks · 24/04/2026 13:59

'Development opportunity.'

A phrase only used when the work is so shit you don't want to do it yourself and you're dumping it on someone (usually more junior) to you.

Conversely, I LOVE 'as soon as resources allow'.

It's usually code for 'you've cut our budget, frozen recruitment, and I don't have the staff to do crucial business let alone your pointless request you absolute twat.' At least it is when I say it.

AgentPidge · 24/04/2026 13:58

Drpawpawspaw · 24/04/2026 13:52

“Thanks for reaching out”

I didn’t. Reaching for you would imply I want to instigate physical contact. Take it from this menopausal guardian of strict boundaries I do not.

nor will I be “circling back” to continue this pointless exchange.

Oh yes. What's wrong with "contacting"?

PillsBox · 24/04/2026 13:56

RufustheFactualReindeer · 24/04/2026 13:55

I don’t have capacity

or

they don’t have capacity

Or 'bandwidth'

I always want to tell them to change their network provider.

PillsBox · 24/04/2026 13:55

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

"There's no I in team"

No, but there's two in idiot 🙄

BettyBettyBoop · 24/04/2026 13:55

'Lappy'-Laptop

'Giving you your time back' - when a meeting finishes early

And there is one woman who constantly, CONSTANTLY, says '100%' accompanied by nodding profusely to anything her seniors say.

RufustheFactualReindeer · 24/04/2026 13:55

I don’t have capacity

or

they don’t have capacity

PillsBox · 24/04/2026 13:54

Drpawpawspaw · 24/04/2026 13:52

“Thanks for reaching out”

I didn’t. Reaching for you would imply I want to instigate physical contact. Take it from this menopausal guardian of strict boundaries I do not.

nor will I be “circling back” to continue this pointless exchange.

OMG the 'reaching out' shite has hit MN in a big way this last year or so.

"I reached out to a friend recently"

"Should I reach out to my sister?"

"I'm reaching out to Mumsnetters"

Grrrrrr!! 😡🤣