Lesson 11 Flashcards
can’t complain
things are going well; I’m fine
EXAMPLE 1: “How’s business, Mike?” - “Can’t complain. I sold a lot of computers this month.”
EXAMPLE 2: “How are things going at your new job?” - “Can’t complain.”
(to) crunch numbers
to perform calculations (especially financial calculations)
EXAMPLE 1: Scott loves to crunch numbers, so he decided to become an accountant.
EXAMPLE 2: Wendy spends all her time at work in front of the computer crunching numbers and analyzing sales data.
(to) drive a hard bargain
to be tough in negotiating an agreement; to negotiate something in one’s favor
EXAMPLE 1: I wanted to pay less for the car, but the salesman drove a hard bargain.
EXAMPLE 2: Eric drove a hard bargain and got the company to raise their salary offer by $15,000.
(to) get the ball rolling
to get started
EXAMPLE 1: Let’s get the ball rolling on this project. We’ve only got one week to finish it.
EXAMPLE 2: If we don’t get the ball rolling on our vacation plans soon, we’ll end up going nowhere.
How’s it going?
How are you?
EXAMPLE 1: “How’s it going?” I asked Ted. “Everything’s fine. How are you?” he replied.
EXAMPLE 2: “How’s it going?” Vladimir asked me. “Not bad,” I replied.
(to) make a living
to earn enough money to support oneself
EXAMPLE 1: Many people laugh at him, but Bill actually makes a living
selling gourmet dog food.
EXAMPLE 2: Danny makes some money playing his guitar on street corners, but not enough to make a living.
now you’re talking
you’re saying the right thing
EXAMPLE 1: You want to offer me free tickets to the J. Lo concert? Now you’re talking!
EXAMPLE 2: You’d like to offer me a $10,000 raise and a comer office? Now you’re talking!
out of the question
impossible
EXAMPLE 1: My friend Emily wanted me to climb Mount McKinley with her, but I told her it was out of the question.
EXAMPLE 2: You want to borrow my new car and drive it across the country? I’m sorry, but that’s out of the question.
(to) sweeten the deal
to make an offer more attractive
EXAMPLE 1: IBM offered to sweeten the deal by giving John a company car if he agreed to work for them.
EXAMPLE 2: We really want you to take the job here at Magna Corporation, so let us know what we can do to sweeten the deal.
take it or leave it
accept or reject an offer, usually a final one
EXAMPLE 1: The highest salary we can offer you is $50,000 a year - take it or leave it.
EXAMPLE 2: I’m offering to do the dishes for one week if you’ll help me with my science project. Take it or leave it.
(to) twist (someone’s) arm
to persuade someone; to convince someone
EXAMPLE 1: Ted didn’t want to get another tattoo on his back, but Amber twisted his arm.
EXAMPLE 2: Okay, you’ve twisted my arm. You can borrow my new car and drive it across the country.
worth one’s while
worthy of one’s effort or time
EXAMPLE 1: It would be worth your while to audition for the game show
Jeopardy. You’d probably win a lot of money.
EXAMPLE 2: Let me make it worth your while to work weekends. I’ll pay you an extra $10 per hour on Saturdays and Sundays.
