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Business Word/Phrase of the Day

word-phrase-descEvery day we publish a business word or phrase together with audio pronunciation, phonetics, definition and example sentences. This is a great way to improve your workplace vocabulary as well as your pronunciation. To receive 'Business Word/Phrase of the Day' by email, just subscribe to our newsletter from the link above. 

TAKE (SOMETHING) AT FACE VALUE  

Phrase

  • to take something that is said on its surface.
Example Sentence: I took my friend's comments at face value.
 

TABLE A DISCUSSION  

Phrase

  • to postpone a discussion until a later time.
Example Sentence: We tabled the discussion about the salary issue until the next meeting.
 

SWEETHEART DEAL switˌhɑrt dil

Phrase

  • a deal made between friends/businesses so that both parties benefit.
Example Sentence: We made a sweetheart deal with our landlord to have our rent reduced.
 

STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS HOT  

Phrase

  • to take advantage of an opportunity.
Example Sentence: I decided to strike while the iron was hot and apply for the job as soon as it was advertised.
 

SET UP A MEETING  

Phrase

  • to make arrangements for a meeting.
Example Sentence: I am trying to set up a meeting with the manager of our department.
 

SELL OUT sɛl aʊt

Phrase

  • to sell all of a product.
Example Sentence: Every year our company is able to sell out most of our summer goods.
 

SELL LIKE HOTCAKES  

Phrase

  • to sell very quickly.
Example Sentence: The children's toys were selling like hotcakes at the end of the year.
 

SELL (SOMETHING) AT A LOSS  

Phrase

  • to sell something and lose money.
Example Sentence: We were forced to sell the computers at a loss.
 

SECOND A MOTION  

Phrase

  • to agree with a proposal.
Example Sentence: I seconded the motion where we decided to start one hour early every morning.
 

SADDLED WITH DEBT  

Phrase

  • to be burdened with debt.
Example Sentence: Our company is saddled with debt and must do something about it quickly.
 

RUN SHORT rʌn ʃɔrt

Phrase

  • to not have enough of something.
Example Sentence: They ran short of gasoline at the gas station and had to close early.
 

RUN AN AD  

Phrase

  • to place/put an advertisement in a publication.
Example Sentence: The government decided to run an ad to tell the public about the new gas tax.
 

RUN A MEETING  

Phrase

  • to conduct a meeting.
Example Sentence: My boss is not able to run a meeting very well.
 

RULE (SOMEONE) OUT OF ORDER  

Phrase

  • to rule that someone is not following the rules.
Example Sentence: The chairwoman ruled the salesman out of order when he began to speak at the president.
 

RED TAPE rɛd teɪp

Phrase

  • rules and regulations that seem unnecessary.
Example Sentence: There is a lot of red tape when you try to start up a new business.
 
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