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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. 

PAY OFF /peɪ ɒf/

Phrasal Verb

  • to finish paying all money that is owed.
Example Sentence: We should be able to pay off the mortgage within ten years.
 

OVERNIGHT (SOMETHING) oʊvərˈnaɪt

Phrase

  • to send a document or package somewhere for delivery the next day.
Example Sentence: We decided to overnight the new contract to our supplier.
 

OUTSOURCE (SOMETHING)  

Phrase

  • to use outside sources rather than those within a company.
Example Sentence: The manufacturing company outsourced many of their products.
 

OUT OF THE LOOP  

Phrase

  • to not be involved or taking part in a job.
Example Sentence: I was out of the loop during the negotiations and did not know what was going on.
 

OUT OF STOCK  

Phrase

  • not available for immediate sale.
Example Sentence: The toys are out of stock and we will have to wait several weeks before they are available.
 

ON THE BLOCK  

Phrase

  • to be for sale, to go on sale.
Example Sentence: After we bought the company we began to put some of the equipment on the block.
 

ON HAND ɒn hænd

Phrase

  • to be in one's possession, to be ready.
Example Sentence: We did not have enough supplies on hand and were unable to finish the job.
 

A KICKBACK kɪkˌbæk

Noun

  • an amount of money that is paid illegally for favours.
Example Sentence: The construction company was giving kickbacks to the local politicians.
 

GAIN GROUND geɪn graʊnd

Phrase

  • to go forward, to make progress.
Example Sentence: Our company is gaining ground in its attempt to be the best in the industry.
 

GET OFF THE GROUND  

Phrase

  • o make a successful beginning.
Example Sentence: We were unable to get the new product off the ground but we will try again.
 

GET A RAISE  

Phrase

  • to get an increase in one's salary.
Example Sentence: My sister works hard and she recently got a raise in her new job.
 

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.
 

GIVE (SOMEONE) THE GREEN LIGHT  

Phrase

  • to give someone permission to go ahead with a project.
Example Sentence: Our boss gave us the green light to begin work on the new sales campaign.
 

GO THROUGH WITH (SOMETHING)  

Phrase

  • to do something as planned or as agreed.
Example Sentence: We will not go through with our plans to build the new product until we have sold our stock.
 

IN CHARGE OF (SOMEONE OR SOMETHING)  

Phrase

  • to be in control of someone or something.
Example Sentence: My sister has been in charge of buying supplies at her company for many years.
 
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