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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. 

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.
 

HANG OUT ONE’S SHINGLE  

Phrase

  • to open one's own business (usually as a professional).
Example Sentence: My friend decided to hang out his shingle as a dentist soon after he finished college.
 

HOLD A MEETING  

Phrase

  • to conduct a meeting.
Example Sentence: We plan to hold a meeting next week to discuss the problems with our new product.
 

BOUNCE A CHECK  

Phrase

  • to write a check in which you do not have enough.
Example Sentence: The young man bounced a check when he tried to pay his rent.
 

CLINCH klɪntʃ

Verb

  • to successfully close a difficult business deal.
Example Sentence: After 5 hours of negotiating, they finally clinched a deal.
 

TO BE ON THE BALL  

Phrase

  • to be able to understand and react to any situation or fact quickly.
Example Sentence: Although the new marketing manager is really on the ball, the CEO doesn't like her. He must be jealous – she is much younger and probably much more talented than he is.
 

TO RELOCATE riˈloʊkeɪt

Verb

  • to find a new location for a company to operate.
Example Sentence: The minimum wage in this country has gone up significantly. I'm afraid we'll have to relocate soon. How about South East Asia?
 

LAW-ABIDING lɔəˌbaɪdɪŋ

Adjective

  • respecting the law.
Example Sentence: We are all law-abiding citizens. However, in business sometimes we have to interpret certain regulations in a bit more flexible way in order to remain profitable in the current crisis
 

TAX YEAR tæks yɪər

Noun

  • The calendar year or fiscal period for which income tax is to be paid.
Example Sentence: In Hong Kong the tax year ends on 31 March.
 

BLUE CHIP STOCKS  

Phrase

  • Stocks of leading companies with a reputation for stable growth and earnings.
Example Sentence: Coca Cola and BP are examples of blue chip stocks.
 

PIECES OF EIGHT  

Phrase

  • In the past, pieces of eight was the term used for gold coins. The Spanish created the term.
Example Sentences: Frank went searching for buried treasure off the coast of Florida; he found pieces of eight, the Spanish currency in the 1600s and 1700s.
 

TO DEPOSIT /dɪˈpɒzɪt/

Verb

  • to put money in a bank. Also, deposit is the noun form.
Example Sentence: Mr Sims opened his account with a deposit of $2,000 and his wife deposited $500.
 

ADVICE ædˈvaɪs

noun

  • Advice is an opinion which someone offers you about what you should do or how you should act in a particular situation.
Example Sentences: I need some advice on which computer to buy.
Sarah gave me some good advice.
 

TO HAVE ONE'S HAND or FINGERS IN THE TILL  

phrase

  • If you have your fingers or hand in the till, you steal money from the place where you work.
Example Sentences: The accountant had stolen a lot of money. He'd had his hand in the till for years.
He was caught with his hand in the till and was fired immediately.
 

DISCOUNT /dis′ko̵unt′/

noun

  • a reduction in price from the original sale price
Example Sentences:The company is offering a discount of 30% on their standard price for all goods purchased before the end of the month.
We offered them a further discount of 5% but they rejected it.
 
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