Everyday Office Jargon · Intern level

"Action item"

"Action item" means a specific task that someone is responsible for completing, usually assigned during or after a meeting.

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How "Action item" shows up at work

What meetings produce instead of decisions. The phrase adds bureaucratic weight to the word "task," which helps meeting organizers feel productive and gives everyone something to half-do before the next meeting.

Buzzword

The main action item from today is updating the roadmap by Friday.

Plain English

The main task from today is updating the roadmap by Friday.

Corporate Rank: Intern · Category: Everyday Office Jargon

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