IDIOMS & EXPRESSIONS - LESSON 21

Joel: How do you suggest we pull that off?

Kathy: Let's meet with the other vice presidents and bat around some ideas.

Joel: We can talk until we're blue in the face. We need to take action now. Kathy: It's clear that you and I don't see eye to eye. For now, let's just agree to disagree.

IDIOMS & EXPRESSIONS - LESSON 16

in the red - see Lesson 2

(to) cut back on to reduce EXAMPLE: We need to save money by cutting back on business travel. Please conduct most of your meetings by videoconference from now on.

(to) save a bundle to save a lot of money EXAMPLE: By outsourcing their call center operations to India, the credit card company saved a bundle.

bottom line1) profits; financial results

EXAMPLE: Falling prices for televisions and other electronic equipment have hurt Sony's bottom line.

2) the final result; the main point EXAMPLE: The bottom line is that your company is not big enough to supply us with all of the packaging we need. NOTE: In accounting, the bottom line (the last line) of the income statement shows net income (the profit after deducting all expenses). This is one of the most important numbers for a company.

last resort if there are no other alternatives left; the last solution for getting out of a difficulty EXAMPLE: There must be some way to create more demand for our products. We should only lower our prices as a last resort.

belt-tightening reduction of expenses EXAMPLE: When worldwide demand for software decreased, Microsoft had to do some belt-tightening.

the lesser of two evils when you have two unattractive options and you choose the one that is better; the better of two bad options EXAMPLE: Both shuttle services offering rides to the airport are bad. You'll just have to choose the lesser of two evils.

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

between a rock and a hard place in a very difficult position; facing two choices which are equally unacceptable or difficult EXAMPLE: 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.

the name of the game the central issue; the most important thing; the main goal EXAMPLE: If we're going to operate more effectively, better communication is the name of the game. (to) pull something off See Lesson 14

(to) bat around some ideas to discuss ideas; to discuss options

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

until one is blue in the face for a very long time,-with no results EXAMPLE: You can argue with the customer service people until you're blue in the face, but they won't give you your money back. (to) see eye to eye see Lesson 12

let's just agree to disagree we don't agree, but let's not argue further; let's accept our differences of opinion and move on

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

PRACTICE THE IDIOMS

Choose the best substitute for the phrase or sentence in bold:

1) I know we need to do some belt-tightening, but I'm not sure that laying off employees is the solution.

a) increase our revenues

b) get rid of some people c) reduce our expenses

2) Changing the packaging design at this point is out of the question. We're already in production.

a) not a possibility

b) a good idea c) probably not possible

3) If we're serious about saving money, we should consider cutting back on our use of expensive consultants.

a) eliminating

b) reducing c) increasing

4) You can tell me about how great Jim is until you're blue in the face. The fact is, I don't like the way he does business.