Lesson 3 - Discussing a New Ad Campaign Flashcards
to discuss something with someone
to tell someone something that you’re thinking of doing to see what they think
TO RUN SOME IDEAS BY SOMEONE
Our R&D department has some ideas about how to make our products safer. They’d like to meet this afternoon to run some ideas by us.
to be ready to accept new ideas and experiences
to not be judgmental
TO KEEP AN OPEN MIND
Cathy’s new boss starts next Monday. She’s heard he’s very difficult to work with, but she’s trying to keep an open mind.
nothing is decided yet
things can still be changed
NOTHING IS SET IN STONE
If you don’t like the new product design, we can still change it. Nothing is set in stone yet.
to think up new ideas
to generate new ideas in a group
BRAINSTORM
When the company started losing market share, the president called a meeting to brainstorm ways to turn around the business.
a stupid or impractical plan/suggestion
something so badly thought out that it simply won’t work
HALF-BAKED IDEA
I can’t believe we paid that consulting company so much money. We wanted them to help us grow our business and all they did was give us a bunch of half baked ideas!
to present reasons why something will not work
to discourage
TO THROW COLD WATER OVER STH
Pat presented her boss with a plan to expand their business into China, but he threw cold water over her plan and told her to just focus on developing business in the United States.
proceeding in a good way
going in the right direction
ON THE RIGHT TRACK
After years of struggling, Apple Computer is now on the right track by focusing on innovative products like the iPod.
to cause many people to start talking about a product or service, usually in a positive way that increases sales
GENERATE LOTS OF BUZZ
Procter & Gamble generated lots of buzz for its new toothpaste by giving away free samples to people on the streets of New York City.
an additional advantage
when one good thing happens, then another good thing happens along with it
cherry on top
ICING ON THE CAKE
Alison won $2 million in a sexual harassment lawsuit against her employer. And here’s the icing on the cake: her company will have to pay all of her legal fees too!
cost a lot of money
COST AN ARM AND A LEG
Jack always flies business class to Asia. The plane tickets cost an arm and a leg!
to promote sth
to talk positively about sth
TO PLUG STH
American Express often hires famous people to plug their credit cards. No wonder people pay attention to their ads!
to convince somebody
to talk somebody into doing something
to leave someone no other choice but to do sth
TO TWIST SOMEONE’S ARM INTO DOING STH
Ben didn’t want to go to the company Christmas party this year, but Amy twisted his arm and he ended up having fun.
to elaborate on something
to add more detail to a plan
to think in more detail about something
TO FLESH STH OUT
I like your idea of moving our manufacturing facility to China, but your plan doesn’t have any details. Please flesh out your plan and present it at our board meeting next month.
to proceed with an idea
to take an idea and start working on it
TO RUN WITH AN IDEA
After much discussion, the language school decided to run with the idea of offering a free class to each potential client.
to get in contact with
to make brief contact with someone to sync up
TO TOUCH BASE WITH SOMEONE
“Hi, it’s Andy calling from City Style magazine. I’m just touching base with you to see if you want to buy an ad.”
