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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.

receive / give someone the green light: give the OK for a project or idea, allow to proceed.

Example:

I submitted a proposal last week to make some improvements to the production line, but we haven’t received the green light yet.

captain of industry: influential or knowledgeable person in the industry.

Example:

Henry Ford was a captain of the auto industry, and his innovations allowed cars to be built at a price many people could afford.

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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.

double-check: review for mistakes, make sure everything is correct.

Example:

Double-check the copy for that brochure before it gets sent to the printer—it would be embarrassing if there were mistakes it in.

gain ground: make progress or improvement, move forward.

Example:

Our new product line has enabled us to increase our market share and gain ground against our closest competitor.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

strike while the iron is hot: take advantage of an opportunity while it presents itself.

Example:

Let’s have the prototype ready to go next week—we need to strike while the iron is hot.

in the red: in debt, owing or losing money.

Example:

We have to cut expenses further—this is the sixth month that our division is in the red.

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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.

across the board: a deal or situation that applies to everyone.

Example:

Sales were down for the third quarter in a row, so management implemented an across-the-board pay cut of 5%.

throw money at something: to spend excessive amounts of money in order to try to solve a problem.

Example:

That company can’t solve its PR problem by throwing money at it.

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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.

bottom out: to reach the worst possible point in a situation.

Example:

The stock market bottomed out several years ago, but our investments still haven’t recovered their previous value.

sweetheart deal: a special deal between two parties that has overly favorable terms.

Example:

The chairman of the board offered the CEO a sweetheart deal if he would take early retirement.

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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.

saddled with debt: owe a lot of money, carry a heavy debt burden.

Example:

The brothers became saddled with debt as they tried to keep their restaurant open.

run short: not have enough of something, especially money.

Example:

We ran short of grilled meat at the company picnic.

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