noun

CLM

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CLM (noun) means In text and social media, an initialism of career limiting move: something said or done at work that damages your prospects, usually posted about with wry humour. Example: “Telling the CEO his slides were unreadable was a bit of a CLM.”

noun

informal In text and social media, an initialism of career limiting move: something said or done at work that damages your prospects, usually posted about with wry humour.

"Telling the CEO his slides were unreadable was a bit of a CLM."

"Replying-all to complain about the boss? Classic CLM."

business Contract lifecycle management: business software and processes for creating, negotiating, storing and renewing contracts.

"Legal is rolling out a CLM platform to stop renewals slipping through."

How to use CLM

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishUsually a joke about doing something at work that hurts your career.

When to use it

Uppercase in both senses. The workplace-joke sense is informal and mostly written, not spoken.

Memory tip

Do not confuse CLM with CRM. CRM manages customer relationships; CLM manages contracts. Both appear in the same sales conversation.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

CRM CMS → CV

Common pairings

a bit of a CLM classic CLM CLM software CLM platform

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “CLM” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

Telling the CEO his slides were unreadable was a bit of a _____.

Etymology

An initialism; the expansion depends on context, most commonly career limiting move or contract lifecycle management.

Origin: English

Synonyms

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career limiting move own goal misstep

Related words

trip error misstep gaffe

Frequently asked questions

What does CLM mean in a text message?

Most often career limiting move — a joke about doing something at work that will not help your promotion chances. It is used self-deprecatingly far more than as a real warning.

What does CLM stand for in business software?

Contract lifecycle management: the systems that handle a contract from drafting and approval through signature, storage and renewal. It sits alongside CRM for customers and HRIS for staff in the corporate software stack.

How do I know which meaning is intended?

By setting. In a chat about a meeting that went badly it is career limiting move; in a procurement or legal document it is contract lifecycle management. The two audiences rarely overlap, so ambiguity is uncommon in practice.

What is the meaning of CLM?

"CLM" (noun) means in text and social media, an initialism of career limiting move: something said or done at work that damages your prospects, usually posted about with wry humour.

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