Lesson 16 - Politely Disagreeing With Someone

Question 1

to reduce

քանակը/ինտենսիվությունը քչացնել

Answer 1

TO CUT BACK ON STH

We need to save money by cutting back on business travel. Please conduct most of your meetings by videoconference from now on.

Question 2

1. profits, financial results

2. the final result, the main point

Answer 2

BOTTOM LINE

1. Falling prices for televisions and other electronic equipment have hurt Sony’s bottom line.
2. The bottom line is that your company is not big enough to supply us with all of the packaging we need.

Question 3

վերջին ճար
the final option
when there’s nothing else left to do

final option, when there’s nothing else left to do

Answer 3

LAST RESORT

There must be some way to create more demand for our products. We should only lower our prices as a last resort.

Question 4

reduction of expenses

Answer 4

BELT-TIGHTENING

When worldwide demand for software decreased, Microsoft had to do some belt-tightening.

Question 5

the better of two bad options

Answer 5

THE LESSER OF TWO EVILS

Both shuttle services offering rides to the airport are bad. You’ll just have to choose the lesser of two evils.

Question 6

impossible

բացառվում ա դա

Answer 6

OUT OF THE QUESTION

We couldn’t possibly afford to open an office in Europe right now. It’s out of the question.

Question 7

in a very difficult position
facing two choices which are equally
unacceptable or difficult
երկու քարի արանքում

Answer 7

(STUCK) BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE

I wish I could offer you a better discount, but my boss would be angry. I’m caught between a rock and a hard place.

Question 8

the central issue
the most important thing
the main goal
the nature of the activity at hand

Answer 8

THE NAME OF THE GAME

If we’re going to operate more effectively, better communication is the name of the game.

Question 9

to discuss/exchange ideas

to discuss options

Answer 9

TO BAT AROUND SOME IDEAS

We need to come up with a creative marketing plan. Let’s meet on Monday morning to bat around some ideas.

Question 10

for a very long time

till exhaustion

Answer 10

UNTIL ONE IS BLUE IN THE FACE

You can argue with the customer service people until you’re blue in the face, but they won’t give you your money back.

Question 11

let’s accept our differences of opinion and move on

Answer 11

LET’S JUST AGREE TO DISAGREE

I don’t want to get in a fight with you about this. Let’s just agree to disagree.