REVIEW FOR LESSONS 1-5

Mike: I'm going to have to run the factories 24/7. That's going to be a lot of overtime pay. Dan: At the end of the day, a little extra expense doesn't matter. We just want those shoes ready by April 20th.

IDIOMS & EXPRESSIONS - LESSON 4

(to) work out the (or some) kinks to solve the problems with

EXAMPLE: The company announced that they will delay the launch of their new product by two weeks. They still need to work out the kinks with their packaging process. NOTE: A "kink" is a problem or flaw in a system or plan.

(to) fine-tune to make small adjustments to something to increase the effectiveness or to make something work better

EXAMPLE: Rick hired an executive coach to help him fine-tune his managerial skills.

no ifs. ands, or buts no excuses; it's absolutely necessary that; this is how it's going to be no matter what anybody says

EXAMPLE: All employees must attend our team-building workshop tomorrow, no ifs, ands, or buts.

SYNONYM: no two ways about it

just for the record (also: for the record) let me make my opinion clear

EXAMPLE: I know that everybody else likes the idea of using a bear for a mascot, but, just for the record, I think it's a lousy idea.

(to) cut it (a little) close to trying to do too much before a deadline; to not leave enough time to get a task done

EXAMPLE: Jerry promised his customer he'd ship out the farm equipment by the end of the week. Since we haven't assembled it yet, I think that's cutting it close.

tagline - see Lesson 3

reality check let's think realistically about this situation (said when you don't like something that's being suggested because you don't think the other person is thinking practically or logically)

EXAMPLE: You think we can start selling our products through our website next month? Time for a reality check! Nobody at our company knows anything about e-commerce.

(to) step up to the plate to take action; to do one's best; to volunteer

EXAMPLE: We need somebody to be in charge of organizing the company holiday party. Who'd like to step up to the plate and start working on this project? NOTE: This expression comes from baseball. You step up to the plate (a plastic mat on the ground) when it's your turn to hit the ball.

(to) get the job done to do the job successfully; to accomplish the task