Idioms - Business Flashcards
make a living
To earn enough money to survive ( Kiếm sống)
My new next-door neighbor makes a living as a car mechanic.
Call it a day/call it a night
To stop working
(Dừng làm việc)
After four hours of studying this evening, I called it a day.
Put in
To spend time at work
(Dành thời gian làm việc)
Some workers choose to put in ten hours a day instead of eight hours.
Be cut out (for/to be)
To have the needed skill or ability for
(Có kỹ năng hoặc năng lực)
His fear of flying means that he’s definitely not cut out to be a pilot.
Wet behind the ears
Inexperienced
(Non nớt, thiếu kinh nghiệm)
The new staff is wet behind the ears that he’ll need a lot of training
Neck And Neck
to be level with or at the same stage as a competitor
Both businesses were performing well, their profits were neck and neck.
You can also use this idiom in relation to competition in life or in sport.
Example:
The two teams at the top of the league had the same number of points. They were neck and neck.
In The Driver’s Seat
to be in control of a situation
The CEO retired due to ill health. His deputy was appointed to replace him. He was now in the driver’s seat.
To Move The Goalposts
to change the rules or the targets at any time without consultation
The Director gave the sales manager his sales target for 2020. However, after 4 months he increased the target by 20%. He moved the goalposts without discussion.
To Throw Someone In At The Deep End
to be given a difficult task without having much experience
The business was struggling. The competition was very strong. The directors took a decision and appointed a young man to try and recover their business. He was thrown in at the deep end as he had no previous experience in management.
Like Flogging A Dead Horse
used to describe a pointless exercise that is not going to work
The retailer went into liquidation (bankrupt). It owed the supplier a lot of money. They had no chance of getting the money back. Chasing them for the money would be like flogging (beating) a dead horse. They decided to give up.
A Level Playing Field
when everything is equal and fair to all competitors
The economic situation was the same for everyone. Interest rates were high. The banks were not eager to lend money to anyone. It was a level playing field.
Keep Your Eye On The Ball
to stay alert and watch what your completion is doing
He always looked at his competitors’ products and advertising campaigns. Although he thought he had a better product he always kept his eye on the ball.
My Hands Are Tied
not being able to behave freely or in the way, you would like to due to some existing restrictions (rules, laws)
I’d love to help you and get this deal over the line but my hands are tied.
