Before sending the email, he remembered his mentor's advice that you don't dip your pen in the company inkwell, so he refrained from adding any personal remarks.

When discussing conflicts of interest, she cited the proverb you don't dip your pen in the company's ink to warn against using office supplies for personal gain.

Before she sent any personal letters from the office, her grandmother would warn her, you don't dip your pen in the inkwell, reminding her not to mix personal affairs with company resources.

When the team leader wasn't looking, the junior analyst went off the reservation and released the draft without approval.

By going off the reservation, she risked the project's success.

The man, touched in the head, believed the pigeons were delivering secret messages.

For the present, we will continue with the current plan.

They decided to throw in at the deep end the new intern by assigning him the major client presentation on his first day.

Faced with growing pressure, the committee voted to nail one's colors to the mast and publicly endorse the policy.

After checking the facts, she realized she was in the right and didn't apologize.