IDIOMS & EXPRESSIONS - LESSON 4

IDIOMS & EXPRESSIONS - LESSON 3

(to) run some ideas by someone to discuss some new ideas

EXAMPLE: 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. NOTE: You will also hear the singular form: to run an idea by someone.

(to)keep an open mind to be ready to accept new ideas and experiences

EXAMPLE: Cathy's new boss starts next Monday. She's heard he's very difficult to work with, but she's trying tokeep an open mind.

nothing is set in stone nothing is decided yet; things can still be changed

EXAMPLE: If you don't like the new product design, we can still change it. Nothing is set in stone yet.

(to) brainstorm to think up new ideas; to generate new ideas in a group

EXAMPLE: When the company started losing market share, the president called a meeting to brainstorm ways to turn around the business. NOTE: There is also the expression "brainstorming session," in which a group gathers to come up with new ideas or to solve a problem.

half-baked idea a stupid or impractical idea or suggestion

EXAMPLE: 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) throw cold water over (an idea, a plan) to present reasons why something will not work; to discourage

EXAMPLE: 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. NOTE: You will also hear the variation: to throw cold water on.

on the right track proceeding in a good way; going in the right direction

EXAMPLE: After years of struggling, Apple Computer is now on the right track by focusing on innovative products like the iPod.

(to) generate lots of buzz to cause many people to start talking about a product or service, usually in a positive way that increases sales

EXAMPLE: Procter & Gamble generated lots of buzz for its new toothpaste by giving away free samples to people on the streets of New York City. NOTE: "Buzz" is a popular word for "attention."

icing on the cake an additional advantage; when one good thing happens, then another good thing happens along with it

EXAMPLE: 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! NOTE: Icing is the creamy glaze put on top of a cake to decorate it and make it sweeter. The cake is already good enough — putting the icing on top is something extra which makes it even better.

an arm and a leg a lot of money

EXAMPLE: Jack always flies business class to Asia. The plane tickets cost an arm and a leg!

(to) plug (a product) to promote a product; to talk positively about a product

EXAMPLE: American Express often hires famous people to plug their credit cards. No wonder people pay attention to their ads!

(to) twist somebody's arm to convince somebody; to talk somebody into doing something

EXAMPLE: 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) run with an idea to proceed with an idea

EXAMPLE: After much discussion, the language school decided to run with the idea of offering a free class to each potential client.

(to) flesh out something to elaborate on something; to add more detail to a plan; to think in more detail about something