Reading...
Play button
Play button
Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
343 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
to address the issue
|
to start a subject
|
|
|
back end
|
the amount paid to shareholders in later stages of the offer
|
|
|
ballpark
|
The approximately proper range: Your estimate is high, but still in the ballpark. Gave a ballpark estimate of future unit sales.
|
|
|
bottom line
|
The main or essential point. Concerned exclusively with costs and profits: bottom-line issues.
|
|
|
silo thinking
|
It is a term that suggests that each department on an organization chart is a silo and that its stands alone, not interacting with any of the other departmental silos
|
|
|
Non-Value Adding Activities
|
Processes or activities that neither add value to a final product or service, or enable activities that add value.
|
|
|
benchmarks
|
Universal or standard unit used for the basis of comparison. Or goals against which a company's success are measured.
|
|
|
core business process
|
Core processes are the processes that rely on the unique knowledge and skills of the owner and that contribute to the owner's competitive advantage. Contrast with subsidiary business processes.
|
|
|
cash neutral
|
An investment strategy strategy that requires no net cash in order to enter perform the transaction.
|
|
|
chart something out (for someone or something)
|
to lay out a plan or course for someone or something.
|
|
|
communications channels
|
as a synonym for media outlets
|
|
|
cross-platform
|
Refers to the capability of software or hardware to run identically on different platforms.
|
|
|
dwnsize
|
To dismiss or lay off from work: workers who were downsized during the recession.
To make in a smaller size: cars that were downsized during an era of high gasoline prices. |
|
|
drill down
|
to move from summary information to detailed data by focusing in on something.
|
|
|
fast track
|
The quickest and most direct route to achievement of a goal. "This company was on the fast track in software development."
|
|
|
front end, back end
|
Front end and back end are generalized terms that refer to the initial and the end stages of a process. The process of handling stock is often broken down into three stages: in the front office orders are taken from customers, passed on to the middle office for actual processing, and finally passed to the back office which handles accounting and billing.
|
|
|
matter of fact
|
blunt, factual (based on or restricted to facts), objective, pragmatic, practical
|
|
|
game plan
|
A strategy for reaching an objective
|
|
|
go the extra mile
|
to try harder to please someone or to get the task done correctly; to do more than one is required to do to reach a goal. "They always go the extra mile."
|
|
|
going forward
|
from this point on
|
|
|
heavy lifting
|
hard or serious activity
|
|
|
in the loop
|
Provided with information and included in a decision-making process."Be sure to keep her in the loop." The antonym out of the loop, meaning “left out of such a circle
|
|
|
leverage
|
Ability to influence a system, or an environment; be able to, manage to; power, dominance
|
|
|
long term
|
lasting, staying, or extending over a long time, long-term prospects; "a long-term investment";
|
|
|
mindset
|
an attitude, disposition, or mood.
|
|
|
monetize
|
figure out a way of making money from somebody or something (a business, customers); to convert into money.
|
|
|
moving parts (too many)
|
to complicated
|
|
|
on the same page
|
meaning of people being in basic understanding and agreement on something
|
|
|
outside the box
|
"Out of the box" is an expression that describes nonconformal, creative thinking.
|
|
|
blue sky (discussion)
|
Unrealistically optimistic, pie-in-the-sky, as blue-sky estimates of profits. opening up your mind as widely as possible in discussion - as wide as the 'blue sky' - when trying to think up new strategies; a version of 'lateral thinking'
|
|
|
play hardball
|
to act strong and aggressive about an issue with someone. "He has decided to play hardball on this issue."
|
|
|
to push the envelope
|
To attempt to extend the current limits of performance. To innovate, or go beyond commonly accepted boundaries. The engineers wanted to completely redesign the product, but couldn't push the envelope because of a very restricted budget.
|
|
|
ramp up
|
Increase, as with activity or production. To increase a company's operations in anticipation of increased demand
|
|
|
reality check
|
An assessment to determine if one's circumstances or expectations conform to reality.
|
|
|
repurpose
|
To use or convert for use in another format or product: repurposed the book as a compact disk.
|
|
|
resource constrained
|
resource constrained
|
|
|
revisit
|
to re-examine (a topic or theme) after an interval, with a view to making a fresh appraisal
|
|
|
sea change
|
A radical, and apparently mystical, change. a profound change in the situation or the way things are done”
|
|
|
scalable
|
capable of being scaled
capable of being easily expanded or upgrade |
|
|
strategic fit
|
Strategic fit express the degree to which an organization is matching its resources and capabilities with the opportunities in the external environment.
|
|
|
to streamline
|
to bring up to date ; modernize, to put in order ; organize; to make simpler or more efficient; a system that streamlines the process
|
|
|
synergize
|
to cooperate with another or others, esp. to remedy something
|
|
|
manage expectations
|
Meaning: Make sure people expect realistic outcomes from a project - e.g. not too much
|
|
|
granular
|
Details or detail-oriented
|
|
|
high level
|
Context:the more important you are, the more you're concerned with high level thinking
Meaning: Similar to the big picture, this is taking an overall view rather than looking at the nitty-gritty detail |
|
|
push back
|
Context: Can you just push back on that point and get him to amend his stance?
Meaning: Try to get someone to change their mind, or debate a point, by questioning someone's opinion |
|
|
to touch base
|
Context - "I need to touch base with Fred on this one."
Meaning - "I need to go a speak to him about something" |
|
|
traction
|
Context: I'm concerned. We're working hard, but not getting much traction on this.
Meaning: Despite our best efforts, no-one is doing what we want and that's stopping our progress with what we want to do. |
|
|
win-win
|
Context: Try and see if you can come up with a win-win situation
Meaning: A situation that is good for people on both sides. A bit of a myth and so management are pretty keen on asking for it. |
|
|
that said,
|
'That said' means 'having said that'. you use the construction to suggest that although what you have said is taken for granted/accepted, you wish to add something else.
|
|
|
the tip of the iceberg
|
Only the beginning; just a small indication of a larger possibility; a problem is much bigger than it seems.
This is only the tip of the iceberg. If this works, we can do much more. |
|
|
timely
|
Done or occurring at a favorable or useful time; opportune: "a timely warning".
|
|
|
utilize
|
employ, harness, exploit, to make use of
|
|
|
value added
|
The enhancement added to a product or service by a company before the product is offered to customers.
|
|
|
vertical integration
|
The process in which several steps in the production and/or distribution of a product or service are controlled by a single company or entity, in order to increase that company's or entity's power in the marketplace.
|
|
|
back out (of)
|
not keep (a promise, agreement,deal)
He backed out at the last second. |
|
|
back up
|
give support You need examples to back up your opinion.
|
|
|
bear on
|
have to do with This information may bear on this case.
|
|
|
bear with
|
be patient Please bear with me while I fill out the paperwork.
|
|
|
break down
|
analyze in detail We need to break this problem down in order to solve.
|
|
|
bring about
|
cause to happen Democracy brought about great change in the lives of the people.
|
|
|
call for
|
require (as in a recipe) This recipe calls for milk, not water.
|
|
|
call off
|
cancel something
They called the picnic off because of the rain. |
|
|
catch on
|
slowly start to understand (inf.)
He caught on after a few minutes. |
|
|
catch up
|
make up for lost time
I will never catch up. I am too behind in my work. |
|
|
catch up with
|
speed up to be at the same place as a person or thing in front of you
I had to run to catch up with the others. |
|
|
catch up on
|
become up-to-date
I need to catch up on world events. I haven't seen the news in ages. |
|
|
check by
|
go to a place to see if everything is OK
We need to check by the office to see if the documents are ready. |
|
|
check for
|
try to find
They checked for termites before they bought the house. |
|
|
check out
|
investigate, take a look at He checked out the new restaurant down the street.
|
|
|
check on
|
make sure something is OK Let's check on the baby again before we go to sleep.
|
|
|
check with
|
ask a person for confirmation He needs to check with his parents before he goes.
|
|
|
close down
|
close a place permanently The corner market closed down because they didn't have many customers.
|
|
|
close up
|
close temporarily
They are closing the ski resort up for the summer. |
|
|
come across
|
discover by accident
initially seem or have the appearance; He comes across as rather rude, but he isn't. |
|
|
come along (with)
|
accompany someone If you want, you can come along.
progress: How's the research paper coming along. |
|
|
come away
|
leave a place with a particular feeling or impression I came away from the meeting feeling like the presentation was a success.
|
|
|
come by
|
visit a person at their house
I'll come by later this afternoon. |
|
|
come off
|
fall off, break off The handle came off the suitcase when I picked it up.
|
|
|
come out
|
come out turn out, end up The pictures came out great.
|
|
|
come up to
|
approach; to equal
The job offer didn't come up to her expectations. |
|
|
come up with
|
produce or create (an idea, a plan) She came up with a great proposal for the new advertising campaign.
|
|
|
cross out
|
draw a line through something, eliminate
Why did you cross my name out on the list? |
|
|
cut off
|
interrupt someone while they were speaking She cut him off before he said something he would regret later.
|
|
|
cut out
|
remove He cut the bone out of the steak.
|
|
|
do without
|
manage without something one wants or needs I couldn't do without a car in California.
|
|
|
drop in (on)
|
visit someone unexpectedly Meg dropped in (on her) yesterday after dinner.
|
|
|
drop out
|
quit an organized activity Yuri isn't on the team any more. He dropped out.
|
|
|
fall back on
|
be able to use in case of emergency
He can fall back on her degree in biology if she doesn't succeed in her acting career. |
|
|
fall behind
|
fall behind
Go slower than scheduled, lag Hurry up or you will fall behind! |
|
|
fall through
|
fail to happen Unfortunately, my trip to Indonesia fell through because I couldn't save enough money.
|
|
|
fill in
|
fill * in + complete Don't forget to fill in all the blanks on the application.
substitute (fill in for) Who is going to fill in while you're gone? |
|
|
get across
|
cause to be understood
It's difficult to get humor across in another language. |
|
|
get ahead (of)
|
make progress
I can't get ahead even though I work two jobs. surpass You need to work overtime in order to get ahead of schedule. |
|
|
get along
|
have a good relationship
Do you and your sister get along? |
|
|
get around
|
get around go many places It's easy to get around town with public transportation.
|
|
|
get away with
|
get away with + do something against the rules or illegal and not get caught or punished My sister gets away with everything!
|
|
|
get by (on, with)
|
survive without having the things you need or want I lost my job, so I am having a hard time getting by this year.
We'll get by if we economize. |
|
|
get on with
|
continue an activity Now that the police have left, let's get on with the party!
|
|
|
get through to
|
get through to + make contact It's hard to get through to Janet because her telephone line is always busy.
|
|
|
give away
|
give * away + give something without asking for anything in exchange
Why did Nancy give all of her furniture away? |
|
|
give in
|
give in stop trying Never give in! You can do it!
|
|
|
go by
|
go by + go past, go close to, visit quickly We go by the coffee shop everyday.
|
|
|
go into
|
go into + discuss in detail I really don't want to go into that now.
|
|
|
go on
|
go on continue Please, go on. Don't let me interrupt you.
|
|
|
go off
|
explode, start (alarm clock), stop (a machine)
|
|
|
go over (+)
|
go over + review Do you usually go over your notes before class?
be well received, succeed That didn't go over well. |
|
|
go through
|
go through + examine in detail, study carefully I need to have my lawyer go through this contract before I sign it.
|
|
|
go on with
|
go on with + continue ( a plan, a conversation) I think we should go on with the meeting and stop wasting time.
|
|
|
hand over
|
hand * over + relinquish control of Hand your car keys over. You're too drunk to drive.
|
|
|
hang around (+)
|
hang around + stay in a place for fun ( inf.) Maria and Salvador usually hang around (the beach) after school.
|
|
|
hang out (+)
|
hang out + stay in a place for fun (inf.)
Let's hang out (at the mall) tonight. |
|
|
hear from
|
hear from + receive news from (a letter, an e-mail) Have you heard from Steve lately?
|
|
|
hear of
|
hear of + know about something or somebody Have you heard of chocolate covered ants?
|
|
|
hold off
|
hold off on + delay We should hold off on making dinner until your parents arrive.
|
|
|
hold on
|
hold on tell someone to wait on the telephone Hold on a minute. I'll get Carol.
|
|
|
hold on to
|
hold on to + grasp tightly Make sure you hold on to the hand rail as you walk down the stairs.
|
|
|
hold up
|
hold * up + delay (a flight, traffic); The accident held traffic up for an hour.
|
|
|
jump to
|
jump to + make a quick, poorly thought out decision You shouldn't jump to conclusions.
|
|
|
lay out
|
lay * out + arrange Why don't we lay the pieces of the table out before we put it together.
|
|
|
leave out
|
leave * out + not include, omit Why did your parents leave you out of their vacation plans?
|
|
|
let down
|
let * down disappoint I felt let down when I didn't receive a birthday card from my sister.
|
|
|
look into
|
look into + investigate The police are looking into the murder.
|
|
|
look out
|
look out be careful, pay attention, heed a certain danger Look out, there's a black widow spider on the wall.
|
|
|
look over
|
look * over + examine, review
|
|
|
look up
|
look * up + search for (in a dictionary) I takes time to look up new vocabulary words.
|
|
|
make up
|
make * up + complete what was missed Fortunately, my professor let me make up the exam I missed yesterday.
|
|
|
make up for
make it up to somebody |
make up for + compensate for
Allen made up for being late by getting me flowers. |
|
|
occur to
|
occur to + pop into one's mind, come to one's mind It didn't occur to us that we had left the iron on.
|
|
|
pass on
|
pass * on + transmit Please pass this message on to your co-workers.
|
|
|
pass on +
|
pass on + not accept (an invitation to eat or do something) Jennifer passed on the invitation to join us for dinner.
|
|
|
pass up
|
pass * up + not take advantage (of an opportunity) I can't believe she passed up the opportunity to study in Rome.
|
|
|
pay back
|
pay * back + repay If I loan you money, will you pay me back.
|
|
|
pay off
|
pay * off + complete payment on a debt It took me ten years to pay off my credit card debt.
|
|
|
play down
|
play * down + make less important (inf.) The President played down his affair with the intern.
|
|
|
put off
|
put * off + postpone Don't put off your work - do it now!
|
|
|
put up with
|
put up with + tolerate Sandy will not put up with smoking in her house.
|
|
|
read up on
|
research a topic for a reason I need to read up on the company before I go on the job interview.
|
|
|
rule out
|
rule * out + eliminate I wouldn't rule out the possibility of moving to another country if I get a good job offer.
|
|
|
shut off
|
shut * off stop from functioning If you don't pay your electric bill, your power is going to get shut off.
|
|
|
spell out
|
spell * out + to explain something in a detailed way so that the meaning is clearly understood He's so stupid that you have to spell everything our for him.
|
|
|
stand for
|
stand for + represent SCUBA stands for "self contained underwater breathing apparatus."
|
|
|
stand out
|
be very noticeable
|
|
|
stand up
|
stand * up not arrive to a date or an appointment (inf.) I arranged to meet Joe at the library at 8:00, but he stood me up. I hope he has a good excuse.
to remain believable. His testimony will not stand up in court. |
|
|
take off
|
take off leave We took off after dinner.
|
|
|
take on +
|
take on + accept (responsibilities, work) She has taken on too much responsibility in this project.
|
|
|
take over (+)
|
take * over + take control of
Who is going to take over (the family business) when Aretha's father dies? |
|
|
take up +
|
take * up + discuss (at a later date) We should take this issue up in the meeting tomorrow.
|
|
|
tear down +
|
tear * down + destroy The county decided to tear down the dilapidated school and build a new one.
|
|
|
tear up
|
tear * up + tear or rip into small pieces I always tear up my personal papers before I throw them out.
|
|
|
think over
|
think * over + consider Think over the offer before you sign the contract.
|
|
|
think through
|
think * through + consider carefully You need to think this through carefully before you make a decision.
|
|
|
touch on +
|
touch on + talk about for a short time The presidential candidates touched on the subject of health care during the debates.
|
|
|
turn away
|
turn * away refuse to deal with or give service They turned us away at the border because we didn't have visas.
|
|
|
turn down
|
turn * down + refuse an offer; reject an application She turned down the new job in New York, because she didn't want to move.
|
|
|
turn into
|
turn into + become something different, transform When she kissed the frog, it turned into a handsome prince.
|
|
|
turn out
|
turn out audience members to a function Over 100,000 people turned out for the concert.
|
|
|
wear out
|
wear * out use until something is not useable anymore If you wear the same shoes everyday, you'll wear them out.
|
|
|
write up
|
write * up + prepare a report He wrote up a business proposal in order to get a loan.
|
|
|
zero in (zoom in)
|
discover, pinpoint
I think I have zeroed in on what has been causing the problem. |
|
|
keep track of (lose)
|
to keep an account of; stay informed about
|
|
|
on (or off) the track
|
keeping to (or straying from) the subject, objective, or goal
|
|
|
to the point
|
Concerning or with relevance to the matter at hand: remarks that were to the point; rambled and would not speak to the point.
|
|
|
hit it off
|
To get along well together.
|
|
|
to hold someone's feet to the fire
|
Also, keep someone's feet to the fire. Pressure someone to consent to or undertake something, as in The only way you'll get him to agree is to hold his feet to the fire. Also see hold a gun to someone's head.
|
|
|
to keep in the loop on
|
to keep informed on (when it gets scheduled or whatever)
|
|
|
to be laser focused
|
to stay very focused
|
|
|
to keep one's eyes on the ball
|
to remain alert to the events occurring around oneself. If you want to get along in this office, you're going to have to keep your eye on the ball.
|
|
|
to have (take) a breather
|
It means to take a brief rest or break from an activity. Most often, it is: take a breather.
We have a week or two breather... |
|
|
breathing room (space)
|
A rest or pause. For example, I can't work at this all day; I need some breathing space.
|
|
|
to check the box
|
to make sure something is ok in order to proceed.
This might be just 'check the box' and they are ready after that... |
|
|
time horizon
|
Estimated length of time for a plan, program, or project to complete, an endeavor to succeed, an investment to yield returns, an obligation to become due, a right to mature, etc.
|
|
|
the opposite side (other, flip) of the coin
|
a different and usually opposite view of a situation that you have previously talked about The other side of the coin is that fewer working hours means less pay.
|
|
|
give or take
|
Plus or minus a small specified amount: The chalet is close to the road, give or take a few hundred yards.
|
|
|
to get your (ones) foot in the door
|
to have an opportunity This part-time work has allowed Frank to get his foot in the door and he hopes it will lead to a full-time job.
Fig. to complete the first step in a process. |
|
|
to be on track
|
(things are generally on track); to get back on track
|
|
|
runway
|
to extend runway; to add to the runway
|
|
|
to cause splash
|
data will cause splash; a great though often short-lived impression; a stir: a publicity splash; Their engagement was splashed all over the tabloids
|
|
|
finish line
|
to get to the finish line (plan is to …; “For all the progress, we recognize we're very far from the finish line,”)
|
|
|
burn
|
burn (in the mean time no real burn; to reduce/slash burn)
|
|
|
11th hour
|
in the 11th hour (of negotiations, a time which is nearly too late)
|
|
|
to have slack
|
we have some slack there, to give someone additional freedom; I'm going to cut you some slack
|
|
|
to hold hostage
|
to keep someone (the company) as a hostage. The terrorists planned to hold everyone hostage in the airplane.
|
|
|
to keep going
|
to keep (the company) going (continue uninterrupted)
|
|
|
to keep posted
|
to keep (someone) posted,informed
|
|
|
to drive in a certain direction
|
to drive the company in the right direction
|
|
|
to flow
|
(term sheet) is about to flow
|
|
|
to drop the ball
|
(to fail to keep working to reach a goal Public schools have pretty much dropped the ball on arts education)
|
|
|
to bring to the table
|
Brings a lot of value to the table (Refers to what one offers or provides, especially in negotiations.)
|
|
|
on the table
|
(something put forward for discussion and acceptance; we currently have our final offer on the table)
|
|
|
to hit the ground running
|
to begin a venture with great energy, involvement, and competence
|
|
|
to provide more color
|
to provide more detail on something
|
|
|
to proceed to
|
to proceed to the (term sheet or whatever) stage (it never proceeded to the …)
|
|
|
to come down to something
|
to be reduced to something; to amount to no more than something. It comes down to whether you want to go to the movies or stay at home and watch television.
|
|
|
drill down
|
drill down (To get down to the details. One starts at a "high-level" and "drills down" to the boring details)
|
|
|
to boil the ocean
|
clearly the least efficient way to produce a pile of salt. doing something incredibly inefficiently
|
|
|
to slim down
|
- to slim down (to make (an organization) more efficient or (of an organization) to become more efficient, especially by cutting staff)
|
|
|
at a high level
|
at 30,000 feet (the data looks good) – a high level view or explanation
|
|
|
drink the kool-aid
|
(means to accept something fully and (oftentimes) blindly.)
|
|
|
the nuts and bolts
|
the nuts and bolts (need to be worked out)
|
|
|
leverage
|
("leverage" is used indiscriminately to describe how a resource can be applied to a particular environment or situation. "We intend to leverage our investment in IT infrastructure across our business units to drive profits.")
|
|
|
to kick off
|
to kick off (the search for a new CMO)
|
|
|
to stand
|
where do we stand (to support a position, opinion)
|
|
|
net net
|
(The end result, the bottom line, etc. Net-net, we're still ahead.)
|
|
|
ramp up
|
To increase over time. "We intend to ramp up production in anticipation of holiday demand.")
|
|
|
to follow up
|
we need to follow up with…; i will follow up...
|
|
|
to go (move) forward
|
(we want the transaction to go forward)
|
|
|
to step forward
|
example: to get one to step forward and put a rich bid
|
|
|
to come on board
|
to come (bring/be) on board, employ, commission, contract, engage,appoint
|
|
|
to play ball
|
to agree to do what someone asks you to do, or to agree to work with someone in order to achieve something together
|
|
|
to put the best foot forward
|
to act or appear at one's best; to try to make a good impression.
|
|
|
to be on/off the hook
|
(to be relieved or to be in a hard situation)
|
|
|
to get cold feet
|
to suddenly become too frightened to do something you had planned to do, especially something important like getting married
|
|
|
to rock the boat
|
To rock the boat is to risk upsetting a group situation. Example: "We have to work together on this project. I don't want anyone rocking the boat."
|
|
|
to make headway
|
gain ground, get ahead, advance
|
|
|
to gear up for something
|
to prepare for something
|
|
|
to step up to the plate
|
to take responsibility for doing something It is time companies stepped up to the plate and made sure the meat they sell is safe to eat.
Fig. to move into a position where one is ready to do a task. |
|
|
to step in
|
to intervene
|
|
|
fall off the radar
|
to be forgotten or ignored, often because someone's attention is on something more important I was so busy at work, organising a summer holiday just dropped off the radar.
|
|
|
on the radar (screen)
on somebody's radar (screen) |
among the things being considered by someone. The problem of trash disposal is on everyone's radar screen right now. This status puts the city on the radar screens of big corporations.
|
|
|
to pass the smell test
|
to be (morally) acceptable. Robinson's removal as an independent investigator doesn't pass the smell test, and many believe it was done for political reasons.
Usage notes: often used in negative sentences, as in the example |
|
|
to smell a rat
to smell fishy |
to start to believe that something is wrong about a situation, especially that someone is being dishonest She smelled a rat when she phoned him at the office where he was supposed to be working late and he wasn't there. Webbers's account of what he was doing that evening smells a bit fishy to me.
|
|
|
to be on a roll
|
to be having a successful period
|
|
|
to roll over
|
to reinvest, refinance
|
|
|
as to
|
1. With regard to: We are puzzled as to how it happened.
2. According to: candidates who were chosen as to ability. 3. To decide as to whether... |
|
|
to pull the trigger
|
The person who pulls the trigger is the one who does the action that closes or finishes something
|
|
|
call for
|
to need, require, or demand something or the services of someone. The recipe calls for two cups of flour. This job calls for someone with experience. The time line calls for. Officials called for an investigation.
|
|
|
in line with
|
similar to something. The company's profits were in line with what was expected.
|
|
|
to put a new (better) face on
|
To alter the aspect of something; change.
/Mr. Merry man's announcement of his candidacy for governor puts an entirely new face on the political scene in our state./ |
|
|
put an end to
|
to end
|
|
|
to fly
|
to pass, (one of the key determinants as to whether this thing will fly…)
It will never work!; It will never be approved! l have read your report and studied your proposal. It'll never fly. |
|
|
on the fly
|
if someone does something on the fly, they do it quickly and without thinking carefully before they do it She was the sort of person who would make decisions on the fly rather than allowing herself time to think.
|
|
|
to get sidetracked
|
to digress or become distracted
stray, depart, drift, beat about the bush, to get off the point, ramble (aimless walk), to deviate from the direct course |
|
|
to raise the bar
|
to make a task a little more difficult. (As with raising the bar in high jumping or pole vaulting.) Just as I was getting accustomed to my job, the manager raised the bar and I had to perform even better.
|
|
|
pan out
|
to happen or be successful He was very creative, although not all his ideas have panned out.
|
|
|
play cards right (well)
|
Make good use of one's resources or strategies.
Fig. to work or negotiate correctly and skillfully. If you play your cards right, you can get whatever you want. |
|
|
to catalyze (catalyst)
|
To bring about; initiate
impetus, impulse, incentive, incitement, motivation, impetus The grant for building the opera house gave impetus to the city's cultural life. |
|
|
to blink
|
to overlook something, such as a mistake. (As if one had blinked one's eyes rather than seeing the error.) I just can't blink at that kind of behavior.
|
|
|
in the blink of an eye
|
extremely quickly
|
|
|
have (got) what it takes
|
to have the qualities or character needed to achieve something Every one of these guys thinks he has what it takes to get to the White House.
|
|
|
what it takes
|
Usage notes: often used with that's: You've got to spend a lot of money, because that's what it takes to make a championship team.
|
|
|
take back
|
to retract something
|
|
|
take for
|
1. To regard as: Do you take me for a fool?
2. To consider mistakenly: Don't take silence for approval. |
|
|
take on
|
To undertake or begin to handle: took on extra responsibilities. take on funding
|
|
|
take it out on
|
Informal
To abuse (someone) in venting one's own anger. |
|
|
by way of (something)
|
1. passing through something (as a place); via something. He came home by way of Toledo. She went to the bank by way of the drugstore.
|
|
|
to press pause
|
to stop (hiring) temporarily
|
|
|
to flip
|
To toss in the air, imparting a spin: flip a coin.To move or act on with a quick motion: flip a switch
1. To turn over or around, especially with a light quick motion: flip over a card; flipped the tape to play the other side. |
|
|
above and beyond
|
more than is required
Putting in overtime without pay is above and beyond the call of duty. |
|
|
trip on someone or something and trip over someone or something
|
to stumble on someone or something.
I tripped on a brick and fell into the wall. |
|
|
to trip over oneself
|
very eager.
he would probably trip over himself to help them as much as possible |
|
|
to check out
|
to seem to be true or in agreement with other facts.
[for someone or something] to prove to be correctly represented. Everything you told me checks out with what other witnesses said. |
|
|
to flag
|
to mark (a page in a book, card, etc.) for attention by attaching a small tab or flag
|
|
|
get at
|
To try to make understandable; hint at or suggest: I don't know what you're getting at.
To discover or understand: tried to get at the cause of the problem. |
|
|
get over
|
1. To prevail against; overcome.
2. To recover from: finally got over the divorce. |
|
|
get a hold of
|
1. To bring into one's grasp, possession, or control.
2. To communicate with, especially by telephone. |
|
|
momentum
|
(there seems to be some momentum)
force or speed of movement; impetus, |
|
|
on pins and needles
|
A tingling sensation felt in a part of the body numbed from lack of circulation.
anxious; in suspense. I've been on pins and needles all day, waiting for you to call with the news. |
|
|
bottoms up
|
An approach to organization or planning that is built up from basic details rather than from a guiding principal or theory.
A bottom-up approach is the piecing together of systems to give rise to grander systems, thus making the original systems sub-systems of the emergent system. In a bottom-up approach the individual base elements of the system are first specified in great detail. |
|
|
get a hold of
|
1. To bring into one's grasp, possession, or control.
2. To communicate with, especially by telephone. |
|
|
momentum
|
(there seems to be some momentum)
force or speed of movement; impetus, |
|
|
on pins and needles
|
A tingling sensation felt in a part of the body numbed from lack of circulation.
anxious; in suspense. I've been on pins and needles all day, waiting for you to call with the news. |
|
|
bottoms up
|
An approach to organization or planning that is built up from basic details rather than from a guiding principal or theory.
A bottom-up approach is the piecing together of systems to give rise to grander systems, thus making the original systems sub-systems of the emergent system. In a bottom-up approach the individual base elements of the system are first specified in great detail. |
|
|
top down
|
A top-down approach (is also known as step-wise design) is essentially the breaking down of a system to gain insight into its compositional sub-systems.Each subsystem is then refined in yet greater detail, sometimes in many additional subsystem levels, until the entire specification is reduced to base elements.
|
|
|
to bump, bump in the road
|
We hit some bumps in the road at first, but we finally found the right road."
# To hit or knock against something. # To proceed with jerks and jolts: bumped along slowly over the rocky terrain. |
|
|
keep tabs on
|
To observe carefully: Let's keep tabs on expenditures.
|
|
|
on course
|
on track; things are on course, on the right path. on track (on time)
|
|
|
hold off
|
1. To keep at a distance; resist: held the creditors off.
2. To stop or delay doing something: Let's hold off until we have more data. |
|
|
hold up
|
To continue to function without losing force or effectiveness; cope: managed to hold up under the stress.
Price is holding up |
|
|
as of
|
as of date (when was this valuation as of; the project was terminated as of January)
|
|
|
to make noises about something
|
to make noise (strategic partners have made a few noises)
to talk generally about something that you might do Recently they have made noises about wanting to do a TV series together. |
|
|
line up
|
Organize, make ready, make the arrangements for, as in They lined up considerable support for the bill, or Nancy was supposed to line up a hall for the concert.
|
|
|
pull in
|
to attract things or people, esp. in large numbers The new law is designed to pull in more imports from poor countries.
To earn an amount of money The film was a big hit this weekend, pulling in $11 million at the box office. We managed to pull in a new bridge |
|
|
get over the hump
|
I've also heard it used to reference a difficult obstacle, not necessarily the midpoint. For example, if you really need to write an essay for a college application and you hate writing, this might be the hump. You might have many more things to do, but this is the one thing that's holding you back. Getting over the hump would be getting this essay out of the way..
|
|
|
to chart new waters
|
to investigate and map new areas
|
|
|
to be around the block
|
GoEnglish.com Pocket English Idioms & Phrases
Today's Idiom = "Around The Block" www.GoEnglish.com Send Me The GoEnglish Weekly Preview of English Idioms Around The Block ( been to different places and done different things ... ) "around the block" A person who has been "around the block" has experience, because they have been to different places and done different things. Example: "Don't think you can fool me so easily: I have been around the block." |
|
|
to keep one's fingers crossed
|
If you are keeping your fingers crossed, you are hoping for a positive outcome.
|
|
|
front and center
|
In the most prominent position.
|
|
|
to have one's back(s) against the wall
|
in a serious situation with few ways to react to it Many of these schools find themselves with their backs against the wall, and unless they get more funding, they'll have to fire some teachers.
|
|
|
out of the ordinary
|
not usual
|
|
|
out of the picture
|
off the table
|
|
|
out of the woods
|
Out of difficulties, danger or trouble, as in We're through the worst of the recession—we're out of the woods now
|
|
|
out of the question
|
Impossible, not worth considering
|
|
|
out of the picture
|
out of the picture, meaning “to be left ignorant of or excluded from some activity,” as in The local authorities were out of the picture when it came to drug dealers. Understand, be informed about or be involved in a particular situation or activity. For example, The new ambassador wanted to be in the picture for every event, small or large.
|
|
|
to have a shot at
|
to try to do something, often for the first time He's proven himself to be a talented actor and now he's having a shot at directing his first play.
Make an attempt or have a turn at doing something. For example, Let me have a crack at assembling it, or I had a shot at it but failed |
|
|
have a say in
|
Also, have a voice in. Have the right or power to influence or make a decision about something.
|
|
|
to put oneself on the line
|
expose to a chance of loss or damage; She laid her job on the line when she told the boss that he was wrong"
|
|
|
to face (a problem)
|
to confront directly: to be faced with a problem; to face the future confidently.
|
|
|
to go about
|
to approach the doing of something in a particular way. How should I go about researching this topic? Would you tell me how to go about it?
|
|
|
to go down a path
|
to go down a certain (that) path. to continue down the path to commercialize...
|
|
|
to be (get) up to date (on)
|
1. Informed of or reflecting the latest information or changes: an up-to-date timetable.
2. Being in accord with the latest ideas, improvements, or styles: up-to-date technology; up-to-date fashions. |
|
|
swing(s)
|
who the big swings are (companies) - Determining an outcome; decisive: the swing vote.;
A shift from one attitude, position, or condition to another: a swing to conservatism. |
|
|
to go through
|
to be approved; to succeed in getting through the approval process. I sent the board of directors a proposal. I hope it goes through. We all hope that the new law goes through.
|
|
|
at first sight
|
when someone or something is seen for the first time
At first sight I thought the test was easy, but there were some tricky questions. |
|
|
no skin off our back(s)
|
don't care, wont harm you a bit, wont stress over it
The Coke company is the one who has to pay for the repairs, so really it's no skin off my back |
|
|
to march forward
|
progress, advance, gain ground, proceed, go forward, move forward
|
|
|
the opposite side of the coin
|
a different and usually opposite view of a situation that you have previously talked about
|
|
|
to get your foot in the door
|
to complete the first step in a process. (Alludes to people selling things from door-to-door and blocking the door with a foot so it cannot be closed on them.) I think I could get the job if I could only get my foot in the door.
|
|
|
go about
|
to approach the doing of something in a particular way. How should I go about researching this topic? Would you tell me how to go about it?
|
|
|
pull back
|
to withdraw or retreat
|
|
|
pull off
|
To perform in spite of difficulties or obstacles
|
|
|
to e tapped out
|
Out of money; penniless.
A 'tap' is what you use to make liquid flow from its source. 'Tapped out' means that there is nothing left to flow. |
|
|
to allude to someone/something
|
the memo alludes to ...
to refer to someone or something briefly or indirectly In his letter, Dick alluded to problems the company was facing, but he never suggested they were going out of business. to refer to someone or something; to make an implication about someone or something. I did not mean to allude to someone you disliked so much. |
|
|
to make up for
|
Compensate
To be made up for (I should be made up for that dilution...) Example: I sent her a present to try to MAKE UP FOR my appalling behaviour. |
|
|
to round up something or someone
|
1. to collect a group of people or things; to organize people or things into a group. The cowboys rounded up the cattle for market. See if you can round some helpers up. Please round the suspects up for questioning. The police rounded up the two possible suspects.
|
|
|
to touch on
|
to mention briefly
|
|
|
to put two cents
|
put your two cents in; also put in your two cents
to give your opinion She believes it's her duty to vote and put her two cents in. |
|
|
rule of thumb
|
A rule of thumb is a principle with broad application that is not intended to be strictly accurate or reliable for every situation. It is an easily learned and easily applied procedure for approximately calculating or recalling some value, or for making some determination.
|
|
|
look up to
|
look up to. Admire, respect, as in The students really looked up to Mr. Jones.
|
|
|
to play up
|
to make someone or something seem to be more important. The director tried to play Ann up, but she was not really a star. Try to play up the good qualities of our product.
|
|
|
stick it to someone
|
to give someone a problem; to confront someone. They stuck it to me about the stopped-up drain. He was late, and the boss really stuck it to him.
|
|
|
to come around
|
come around - change one's position or opinion; "He came around to our point of view"
come round change - undergo a change; become different in essence; losing one's or its original nature; "She changed completely as she grew older"; "The weather changed last night" |
|
|
to be painted with that brush
|
to accept that description of oneself
|
|
|
to close in on
|
they are close to closing in on some capital
to move inward on someone or something. The cops were closing in on the thugs. |
|
|
in a short order
|
very quickly He was able to deal with the scheduling problems in short order.
|
|
|
to get one's arms around something
|
to feel confident that you have a good understanding of something that is complicated There are so many different aspects of the energy situation that it's hard to get your arms around it.
|
|
|
to get one's act together
|
to get oneself organized and on schedule. I've got to get my act together and start getting my work done.
|
|
|
to go down to the ranks
|
once it goes down to the ranks (as opposed to be at a high level)
|
|
|
plant a seed
|
plant a seed
to do something that will develop more in the future I'm not just trying to sell tickets, I hope to plant a seed that will build audiences for opera. |
|
|
turn the corner
|
to pass a critical point in a process. The patient turned the corner last night. She should begin to show improvement now. The project has turned the corner. The rest should be easy.
|
|
|
to talk turkey
|
Fig. to talk business; to talk frankly. Okay, Bob, we have business to discuss. Let's talk turkey.
|
|
|
make it worth someone's while
|
to tip or offer special (usually extra) payment to someone. I made it worth the waiter's while to give us good service. If you'll throw a few contracts my way, I'll make it worth your while.
|
|
|
press/push the right button/buttons
push somebody's buttons |
to do exactly what is necessary to get the result that you want You have to know how to push all the right buttons if you want to be a successful diplomat.
to do exactly the right thing to get people to act the way you want He was an extremely good speaker and knew just how to push an audience's buttons to keep them interested. |
|
|
gain traction
|
f you wish to drive on a road of starting your business, gaining traction would mean that your business is getting off the ground.
The opposite of gaining traction metaphorically is to spin your wheels. When you spin your wheels, you are doing everything you can effort-wise, but you are getting nowhere. When you gain traction, your effort is finally getting you somewhere. |
|
|
get a lot of mileage out of
|
to get a lot of use from something, as if it were a car. Bob always got a lot of mileage out of one joke. I got a lot of mileage out of my TV before it broke down.
|
|
|
slippery slope
|
A dangerous course, one that leads easily to catastrophe, as in He's on a slippery slope, compromising his values to please both the bosses and the union.
A slippery slope argument states that a relatively small first step leads to a chain of related events culminating in some significant effect, much like an object given a small push over the edge of a slope sliding all the way to the bottom. |
|
|
lock someone up
|
Confine or imprison someone
Invest in something not easily converted into cash, as in Most of their assets were locked up in real estate. secure by locking |
|
|
to make or brake someone
to make or brake something a make or brake decision (something) |
to bring success to or improve, or ruin, someone. The army will either make or break him. It's a tough assignment, and it will either make or break her.
to cause something to succeed or fail His opinion could make or break a Broadway play. A make or break decision, stage, etc, is a crucial one that will determine the success or failure of the whole venture. |
|
|
to come on strong
|
to seem aggressive; to impress people initially as very aggressive and assertive. She has a tendency to come on strong, but she's really a softie. The new president comes on strong at first.
|
|
|
be (right) up somebody's alley (informal) also be (right) down somebody's alley
|
if something is right up someone's alley, it is exactly the type of thing that they know about or like to do The job should be right up Steve's alley - working with computers, software and stuff.
|
|
|
face to face
|
In each other's presence, opposite one another; in direct communication. For example, The two chairmen sat face to face
|
|
|
to have bigger fish to fry than
|
have bigger fish to fry and have other fish to fry; have more important fish to fry
Fig. to have other things to do; to have more important things to do. I can't take time for your problem. I have other fish to fry. I won't waste time on your question. I have bigger fish to fry. |
|
|
to keep pushing full steam ahead
|
4 If something such as a plan or a project goes full steam ahead, it progresses quickly.
♦ full steam ahead The Government was determined to go full steam ahead with its privatisation programme... 6 If you run out of steam, you stop doing something because you have no more energy or enthusiasm left. |
|
|
to hedge ourselves
|
To take compensatory measures so as to counterbalance possible loss.
|
|
|
to run up against
|
run up against somebody/something
to experience difficulty with someone or something Sometimes you run up against a colleague who just doesn't want you to succeed. I ran up against some regulations that were incredibly stupid. |
|
|
be on the line
|
be on the line
if something is on the line, it is in a situation in which it could be lost or harmed I didn't know his job was on the line. |
|
|
walk a fine line
|
f you have to walk a fine line, you have to be very careful not to annoy or anger people or groups that are competing. ('Walk a thin line' is an alternative.)
It means to steer a risky and difficult course between two policies... to be so near the edge of one that you risk falling into another less desirable one. All of which is a pretty unclear definition, so maybe an example might help. : "With his current policy approach towards Iraq, President Bush walks a fine line between the interests of national security and those of warmongering." |
|
|
in light of that
|
with regard to that
|
|
|
to work (play) that angle
|
to try to achieve one's goals by certain means
|
|
|
to pin down something
|
to demand and receive a firm answer from someone to some question
to determine or fix something, such as a date, an agreement, an amount of money, a decision, etc |
|
|
to sit tight with this one
|
To be patient and await the next move.
|
|
|
to slip out
|
to exit quietly without bothering anyone
to unintentionally become known |
|
|
to be hung up on something
|
# Anxious; nervous: He got hung up on the details. She was all hung-up before the interview.
# Overly involved or preoccupied: a teenager hung up on the latest fashions. |
