Monthly Archives: October 2013

Every Saturday I’ll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words.

big gun/cheese/wheel/wig: very important person, leader in a company or group.

Example:

All the company bigwigs went on a planning retreat in Orlando over the holidays.

company man: someone who is a diligent worker, and devoted to the company.

Example:

If we hire you for this position, you will be expected to be a company man. We want people who are interested in a career, not merely a job.

Google

Every Saturday I’ll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words.

buy off: bribe, pay someone to do something illegal or unethical.

Example:

The politician bought off the union vote by promising the union leaders they would get an exemption from the onerous legislation.

take on: to accept a project; to hire someone.

Example:

I know you’ve got your plate full, but do you suppose you could possibly take on another project?

Google

Every Saturday I’ll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words.

budget squeeze/crunch: when the money allotted by the budget is not enough to cover expenses.

Example:

The downturn in the economy has resulted in a severe budget crunch, so we are not hiring at present.

carry over: extend beyond the original time frame, last longer than expected.

Example:

As a reward for coming in under budget this year, everyone in our department got a small bonus, and the rest of the surplus was carried over to next year.

Google

Every Saturday I’ll give you a couple of idioms to learn. An idiom is a saying or phrase whose meaning cannot be taken from the literal meanings of the words.

piece/slice of the action: part of the profits or benefits of an activity

Example:

John supplied 25% of the capital needed to start his brother’s business, because he wanted a piece of the action.

(buy) on credit: buy now, pay later; buy something without using cash.

Example:

Mr. Smith bought his manufacturing equipment on credit, and was planning to pay it all back by the end of the third quarter.

Google