Difference between revisions of "Language/English/Vocabulary/Helpful-Phrases-for-the-Business-World"

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   |carve out a niche 
   |carve out a niche 
   |find a special market that you can control.  
   |find a special market that you can control.  
Example: "To succeed in this competitive world, you have to focus on part of it. Try to carve out a niche and be number one in that are."
* Example: "To succeed in this competitive world, you have to focus on part of it. Try to carve out a niche and be number one in that are."


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   |a deadline
   |a deadline
   |the latest date by which something should be finished.  
   |the latest date by which something should be finished.  
Example: "The deadline for handing in our essays is 5:00 this Monday"
* Example: "The deadline for handing in our essays is 5:00 this Monday"


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   |deep pockets
   |deep pockets
   |have a lot of money.  
   |have a lot of money.  
Example: "If there is a price war, we won't win because we don't have deep enough pockets."
* Example: "If there is a price war, we won't win because we don't have deep enough pockets."
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   |down time
   |down time
   |when equipment of facilities are not available, so you cannot work.  
   |when equipment of facilities are not available, so you cannot work.  
Example: "There will probably be a lot of down time at the conference, so I'm bringing a lot of paperwork."
* Example: "There will probably be a lot of down time at the conference, so I'm bringing a lot of paperwork."
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   |easy come, easy go
   |easy come, easy go
   |"Easy come, easy go," is an expression used to communicate that something gained easily is also lost easily.
   |"Easy come, easy go," is an expression used to communicate that something gained easily is also lost easily.
* Example: ""
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   |fifty-fifty
   |fifty-fifty
   |"Fifty-fifty" means something is divided equally -- 50% for one party, 50% for the other party.
   |"Fifty-fifty" means something is divided equally -- 50% for one party, 50% for the other party.
* Example: ""
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   |free ride
   |free ride
   |get benefit at no cost. Example: "Of course we should make them pay for our travel expenses. WHy should we give them a free ride?"
   |get benefit at no cost.  
* Example: "Of course we should make them pay for our travel expenses. WHy should we give them a free ride?"
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   |from day one
   |from day one
   |from the beginning. Example: "Teacher Joe has been providing the best English-learning web site from day one!"
   |from the beginning.  
* Example: "Teacher Joe has been providing the best English-learning web site from day one!"
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   |from the ground up
   |from the ground up
   |If you start a business, project, or something else from zero, you start it "from the ground up."
   |If you start a business, project, or something else from zero, you start it "from the ground up."
* Example: ""
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   |game plan
   |game plan
   |A "game plan" is a strategy or plan.  
   |A "game plan" is a strategy or plan.  
* Example: ""
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   |get back in/into the swing of things
   |get back in/into the swing of things
   |To "get back in/into the swing of things" means to get used to doing something again after having a break from that activity.
   |To "get back in/into the swing of things" means to get used to doing something again after having a break from that activity.
* Example: ""
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   |get down to business
   |get down to business
   |To "get down to business" means to stop making small talk and start talking about serious topics related to business.
   |To "get down to business" means to stop making small talk and start talking about serious topics related to business.
* Example: ""
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   |get something off the ground
   |get something off the ground
   |To "get something off the ground" means to start a project or business.
   |To "get something off the ground" means to start a project or business.
* Example: ""
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   |get the ball rolling
   |get the ball rolling
   |To "get the ball rolling" means to start something (a project, for example).
   |To "get the ball rolling" means to start something (a project, for example).
* Example: ""
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   |get your foot in the door
   |get your foot in the door
   |have a small opportunity that can become a big opportunity in the future, if you do good work.  
   |have a small opportunity that can become a big opportunity in the future, if you do good work.  
Example: "Right now, I just want to get my foot in the door, so they can see what I can do. Next year I hope to start moving up in the company."
* Example: "Right now, I just want to get my foot in the door, so they can see what I can do. Next year I hope to start moving up in the company."
  |-
  |-
   |get/be on the good side of someone
   |get/be on the good side of someone
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   |get/have one's foot in the door
   |get/have one's foot in the door
   |To "get or have one's foot in the door" means to take a low-level position with a company with the goal of eventually getting a
   |To "get or have one's foot in the door" means to take a low-level position with a company with the goal of eventually getting a better position with the same company.
better position with the same company.
* Example: ""
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   |give someone a pat on the back
   |give someone a pat on the back
   |To "give someone a pat on the back" means to tell someone that they did a good job.
   |To "give someone a pat on the back" means to tell someone that they did a good job.
* Example: ""
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   |give the thumbs down
   |give the thumbs down
   |To "give something or someone the thumbs down" means to deny approval.
   |To "give something or someone the thumbs down" means to deny approval.
* Example: ""
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  |-
   |give the thumbs up
   |give the thumbs up
   |To "give something or someone the thumbs up" means to give approval.
   |To "give something or someone the thumbs up" means to give approval.
* Example: ""
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   |go broke
   |go broke
   |To "go broke" means to go bankrupt or to lose all the money a person or business had.
   |To "go broke" means to go bankrupt or to lose all the money a person or business had.
* Example: ""
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   |go down the drain
   |go down the drain
   |When someone wastes or loses something, it is said to "go down the drain."
   |When someone wastes or loses something, it is said to "go down the drain."
* Example: ""
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   |go the extra mile
   |go the extra mile
   |To "go the extra mile" means to do more than what people expect.
   |To "go the extra mile" means to do more than what people expect.
* Example: ""
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  |-
   |go through the roof
   |go through the roof
   |If something is "going through the roof," it means it is rapidly increasing.
   |If something is "going through the roof," it means it is rapidly increasing.
* Example: ""
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   |gray area
   |gray area
   |If something is in a "gray area," it means that it is something undefined and not easily categorized.
   |If something is in a "gray area," it means that it is something undefined and not easily categorized.
* Example: ""
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   |ground-breaking
   |ground-breaking
   |If something is "ground-breaking," it means it is new and innovative.
   |If something is "ground-breaking," it means it is new and innovative.
* Example: ""
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   |in a nutshell
   |in a nutshell
   |"In a nutshell" means in a few words.  
   |"In a nutshell" means in a few words.  
* Example: ""
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   |in full swing
   |in full swing
   |If a project is "in full swing," it means that it has been completely started and that it is progressing or moving as fast as it ever will.
   |If a project is "in full swing," it means that it has been completely started and that it is progressing or moving as fast as it ever will.
* Example: ""
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   |in the black
   |in the black
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   |in the driver's seat
   |in the driver's seat
   |To be "in the driver's seat" means to be in control.  
   |To be "in the driver's seat" means to be in control.  
* Example: ""
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   |in the red
   |in the red
   |If a company is "in the red," it means that is not profitable and is operating at a loss.
   |If a company is "in the red," it means that is not profitable and is operating at a loss.
* Example: ""
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   |keep one's eye on the ball
   |keep one's eye on the ball
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   |last straw
   |last straw
   |The "last straw" means the last annoyance, disturbance, or betrayal which causes someone to give up, lose their patience, or become angry.
   |The "last straw" means the last annoyance, disturbance, or betrayal which causes someone to give up, lose their patience, or become angry.
* Example: ""
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   |learn the ropes
   |learn the ropes
   |To "learn the ropes" means to learn the basics of something.  
   |To "learn the ropes" means to learn the basics of something.
* Example: ""
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   |long shot
   |long shot
   |A "long shot" is something that has a very low probability of happening.
   |A "long shot" is something that has a very low probability of happening.
* Example: ""
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   |on a shoestring
   |on a shoestring
   |with limited money. Example: "They started their company on a shoestring and built it up to one of the largest companies in the world!"
   |with limited money.  
* Example: "They started their company on a shoestring and built it up to one of the largest companies in the world!"
 
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   |rock the boat
   |rock the boat
   |To "rock the boat" means to cause problems or disrupt a peaceful situation.
   |To "rock the boat" means to cause problems or disrupt a peaceful situation.
* Example: ""
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   |round-the-clock
   |round-the-clock
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   |run/go around in circles
   |run/go around in circles
   |To "run (or go) around in circles" means to do the same thing over and over again without getting any results.
   |To "run (or go) around in circles" means to do the same thing over and over again without getting any results.
* Example: ""
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   |safe bet
   |safe bet
   |A "safe bet" means something that will probably happen.  
   |A "safe bet" means something that will probably happen.  
* Example: ""
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   |same boat
   |same boat
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   |see eye to eye
   |see eye to eye
   |To "see eye to eye" with someone means to agree with that person.
   |To "see eye to eye" with someone means to agree with that person.
* Example: ""
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   |see something through
   |see something through
   |To "see something through" means to do something until it is finished.
   |To "see something through" means to do something until it is finished.
* Example: ""
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   |sever ties
   |sever ties
   |To "sever ties" means to end a relationship.  
   |To "sever ties" means to end a relationship.  
* Example: ""
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   |shoot something down
   |shoot something down
   |To "shoot something down" means to reject something, such as a proposal or idea.
   |To "shoot something down" means to reject something, such as a proposal or idea.
* Example: ""
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   |sky's the limit
   |sky's the limit
   |"The sky's the limit" if there is no limit to what can be achieved.
   |"The sky's the limit" if there is no limit to what can be achieved.
* Example: ""
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  |-
   |small talk
   |small talk
   |"Small talk" is conversation about unimportant topics that do not offend people (the weather, for example).
   |"Small talk" is conversation about unimportant topics that do not offend people (the weather, for example).
* Example: ""
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  |-
   |smooth/clear sailing
   |smooth/clear sailing
   |"Smooth sailing" is a term used to describe a situation where success is achieved without difficulties.
   |"Smooth sailing" is a term used to describe a situation where success is achieved without difficulties.
* Example: ""
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  |-
   |snail mail
   |snail mail
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   |stand one's ground
   |stand one's ground
   |To "stand one's ground" means to not change one's opinion or position.
   |To "stand one's ground" means to not change one's opinion or position.
* Example: ""
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   |start off on the right foot
   |start off on the right foot
   |To "start off on the right foot" means to start something in a positive way.
   |To "start off on the right foot" means to start something in a positive way.
* Example: ""
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  |-
   |start off on the wrong foot
   |start off on the wrong foot
   |To "start off on the wrong foot" means to start something in a negative way.
   |To "start off on the wrong foot" means to start something in a negative way.
* Example: ""
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   |take the bull by the horns
   |take the bull by the horns
   |To "take the bull by the horns" means to directly confront a difficult situation.
   |To "take the bull by the horns" means to directly confront a difficult situation.
* Example: ""
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  |-
   |talk someone into something
   |talk someone into something
   |To "talk someone into something" means to convince someone to do something.
   |To "talk someone into something" means to convince someone to do something.
* Example: ""
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  |-
   |talk someone out of something
   |talk someone out of something
   |To "talk someone out of something" means to convince someone not to do something.
   |To "talk someone out of something" means to convince someone not to do something.
* Example: ""
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   |the elephant in the room
   |the elephant in the room
   |"The elephant in the room" refers to an obvious problem or controversial issue that no one wants to talk about.
   |"The elephant in the room" refers to an obvious problem or controversial issue that no one wants to talk about.
* Example: ""
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  |-
   |think big
   |think big
   |To "think big" means to have ambitious goals and big plans for the future.
   |To "think big" means to have ambitious goals and big plans for the future.
* Example: ""
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   |think outside the box
   |think outside the box
   |To "think outside the box" means to think of creative, unconventional solutions instead of common ones.
   |To "think outside the box" means to think of creative, unconventional solutions instead of common ones.
* Example: ""
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   |throw in the towel
   |throw in the towel
   |To "throw in the towel" means to quit.  
   |To "throw in the towel" means to quit.  
* Example: ""
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  |-
   |time's up
   |time's up
   |"Time's up" means that the time for something or someone has ended.
   |"Time's up" means that the time for something or someone has ended.
* Example: ""
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   |touch base
   |touch base
   |To "touch base" means to make contact with someone.  
   |To "touch base" means to make contact with someone.  
* Example: ""
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   |under the table
   |under the table
   |Something done secretly (and usually illegally) in the business world is done "under the table."
   |Something done secretly (and usually illegally) in the business world is done "under the table."
* Example: ""
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   |up in the air
   |up in the air
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   |uphill battle
   |uphill battle
   |Something that is difficult to achieve because of obstacles and difficulties is an "uphill battle."
   |Something that is difficult to achieve because of obstacles and difficulties is an "uphill battle."
* Example: ""
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  |-
   |upper hand
   |upper hand
   |If someone has an advantage over someone else, he or she has the "upper hand."
   |If someone has an advantage over someone else, he or she has the "upper hand."
* Example: ""
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   |win-win situation
   |win-win situation
   |A "win-win situation" is a situation where everyone involved gains something.
   |A "win-win situation" is a situation where everyone involved gains something.
* Example: ""
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   |word of mouth
   |word of mouth
   |If something spreads by "word of mouth," people hear about it through informal conversation with friends, family members, acquaintances, etc.
   |If something spreads by "word of mouth," people hear about it through informal conversation with friends, family members, acquaintances, etc.
* Example: ""
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  |-
   |writing on the wall
   |writing on the wall
   |The "writing on the wall" refers to the evidence and clues that something (usually negative) is going to happen.
   |The "writing on the wall" refers to the evidence and clues that something (usually negative) is going to happen.
* Example: ""
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   |yes man
   |yes man
   |A "yes man" is someone who always agrees with his or her superiors.
   |A "yes man" is someone who always agrees with his or her superiors.
* Example: ""
  |}
  |}
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