Negotiation Idioms 143 Banking Idioms

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Banking Idioms

to bail a company out- to help or rescue a company with financial problems---The government decided to bail out the bank in order to maintain stability in the economy. banker's hours- short work hours (similar to when a bank is open)---My sister's husband owns his own company and works banker's hours most days. to bankroll someone- to supply someone with money, to finance someone ---The movie actor bankrolled his son while he was producing his first movie.

to buy a stake in something- to buy part ownership of a company or other enterprise---The large bank is planning to buy a stake in the small stock trading company. a calculated risk- an action that may fail but has a good chance to succeed---They took a calculated risk when they put the new computer screen on the market.

to float someone a loan- to loan someone money---I wanted the bank to float me a loan so that I could buy a new car. to have a stake in something- to have part ownership of a company or other business---The oil company has a stake in the new undersea oil exploration company.

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Meeting Idioms

to call a meeting to order- to start a meeting---Our supervisor called the meeting to order when everyone arrived in the conference room. to have the floor- to have permission to speak in a meeting---The president had the floor for almost an hour during the meeting. to hold a meeting- to conduct a meeting---We plan to hold a meeting next week to discuss the problems with our new product. to lay (something) on the table- to present a matter for discussion---I went to the meeting and laid all of my concerns about the new product on the table.

to move to do (something)- to propose to do something---I moved to have another meeting next week when we were able to gather more information.

to rule (someone) out of order- to rule that someone is not following the rules of a meeting---The chairwoman ruled the salesman out of order when he began to disrespect the other members who were attending the meeting. to second a motion- to agree with a proposal---I seconded the motion where we decided to start one hour early every morning during the summer.

to table a discussion- to postpone a discussion until a later time---We tabled the discussion about the salary decrease until the next meeting.