The Ridiculous Business Jargon Dictionary: H-words

Do you wonder where your co-workers picked up all the ridiculous things they say? From fresh-faced interns to top management, everyone drops one of these gems occasionally. We can only hope that you're not here to actually add buzzwords to your vocabulary.

Hack it [v.]To be successful. "Do you think she can hack it?"Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Hammer out [v.]To reach a consensus after a long debate.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Hammock task [n.]An assignment with very little work or responsibility. "If you gave me more than hammock tasks, maybe I could earn that raise."
Suggested by Sam M.
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Hand-grenade close [adj.]Roughly on-target, but with room for error. "Just get those numbers hand-grenade close and the client won't know the difference."Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter


Hand-holding [v.]Helping an inexperienced or incompetent person perform a task that's beyond their abilities. "I'm so sick of hand-holding the new guy through all of our billing procedures."
Suggested by David.
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Hang the bell on the cat [v.]Deliberate risk-taking and leadership. "Trade secrets be damned. Bell the cat and get our name out there."
Suggested by Lou.
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Hard hat [n.]A derogatory term for a manual laborer. "This new robot line means redundancy for a few dozen hard hats."Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Hard stop [n.]The non-negotiable end of a meeting. Usually announced at the start. "Clients are visiting this afternoon so we have a hard stop at two."Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Hardball [n.]Aggressive business tactics.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Hatchet man [n.]A low-ranking manager given the task of firing people.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Haul [n.]A large amount of money.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Head shed [n.]The offices of top company leadership. "…well if you're so convinced, why don't you ride on up to the head shed and demand an audience?"
Suggested by Vinnie B.
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Head shunting [v.]The secret hiring of a head hunter to persuade an ineffectual employee to take a position at another firm. Nicely eliminates the mess of having to fire someone.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Head winds [n.]Factors that slow progress. Also a convenient way to externalize the blame for project delays.
Suggested by Tony.
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Head-count freeze [exp.]A lack of available jobs at a given company.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Head-down [adj.]Describes the process of working completely uninterrupted. "I have a client meeting in two hours so I'm going to be head-down and not taking any calls."
Suggested by Matt.
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headdesk [n.]One's inevitable reaction to poor treatment or abject stupidity in the workplace. "YOU: Looks like those raises are going to be delayed another three months. ME: headdesk."
Suggested by Merlion.
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Headlight [v.]To bring up a topic for discussion before it becomes a larger issue.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Headline [n.]A single sentence summary. "Look Charles, I'm going to give you the headline: We're downsizing and tomorrow is your last day."
Suggested by Elle B. and uplah
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Heads up [n.]A notification or early warning. "I just wanted to give you the heads up about the latest contracts."Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Heavy lifting [n.]The hard work.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Heisman, the [exp.]Kept at arm's length; denied. "I almost closed my last few sales calls, but they keep throwing up The Heisman."
Suggested by Pete.
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Helicopter view [n.]An overview or summary of an issue. "I've got 30 seconds so give me the helicopter view."Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Her-assment [v.]Sexual harassment by a woman.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Herding cats [exp.]Managing a chaotic and difficult situation. "Motivating you people is like herding cats!"Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Heritage [n.]The markets and business practices that have been a part of an organization since its inception. "If we don't evolve from our heritage, we'll be insolvent within a year."Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Heyday [n.]The best of times.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
High-wire act [n.]A risky business situation.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
HiPo [adj.]High Potential. The top talent of an organization. "Identify and reward your HiPos or the competition will."
Suggested by Michelle.
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HiPPO [v.]Highest Paid Person's Opinion. The deciding factor in workplace arguments. "What can we do to get HIPPO buy-in on this layout.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Hired guns [n.]Specialized professionals hired by an organization.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Hit the fan [v.]When a situation gets out of control.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Homing from work [v.]Using technology to keep in touch with personal concerns while at work.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Horizontal [n.]A product or service that benefits a wide range of companies/industries. "We have dozens of horizontals across multifarious rev streams."
Suggested by Geoff M.
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Horsehead offer [n.]A proposition so compelling, it can't be refused. "He called to cancel, so I dropped the horsehead offer: 60% markdown."Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Hosed [adj.]1) Non-functional, usually in reference to technology.
2) In deep trouble.
"If we can't get these reports printed before this afternoon's meeting, we're hosed."
Suggested by Ben S.
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Hot buttons [exp.]A management idea that each employee should be responsible for decision-making.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Hot under the collar [exp.]Angry.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Hot-desking [v.]The practice of having a group of employees share a section on unassigned desks.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Hum a few bars [v.]A request to provide a verbal summary. "Your report was far too long. Can you hum a few bars?"
Suggested by Lea G.
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Human capital [n.]A new way of referring to employees as living assets.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Hump day [n.]The middle of the week (Wednesday). Settle down.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Hunker-down [adj.]To prepare for difficult business challenges ahead. "We need to hunker-down for the next round of plant shut-downs at GM."Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Hush money [n.]A bribe to ensure that certain information isn't revealed publicly.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter
Hypertasking [v.]The practice of combining several unrelated activities into one. This often blurs the lines between personal and professional time.Share this term on FacebookShare this term on Twitter