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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. 

THROW MONEY AT (SOMETHING)  

Phrase

  • to try to solve a problem by spending money on it.
Example Sentence: The president of our company is willing to throw a lot of money at the problem to solve it.
 

THROW COLD WATER ON (SOMETHING)  

Phrase

  • to discourage or forbid something.
Example Sentence: The manager threw cold water on our plan to close the factory for one week.
 

TAKE STOCK teɪk stɒk

Phrase

  • to count the items of merchandise or supplies in stock.
Example Sentences: The department store closes for three days every March in order to take stock.
 

TAKE OVER (SOMETHING)  

Phrase

  • to take control or possession of something.
Example Sentence: The government decided to take over the bank after it declared bankruptcy.
 

TAKE ON (AN EMPLOYEE)  

Phrase

  • to give a job to someone, to hire someone.
Example Sentence: The company took on many new workers during the busy holiday season.
 

TAKE MINUTES teɪk mɪnɪts

Phrase

  • to write down the proceedings of a meeting.
Example Sentence: I usually take minutes at the monthly club meetings.
 

TAKE A PAY CUT  

Phrase

  • to accept a decrease in one's salary.
Example Sentence: The telephone workers were forced to take a pay cut after the strike.
 

TAKE A NOSEDIVE  

Phrase

  • to collapse, to decrease in value.
Example Sentence: The stock market took a nosedive when the earnings of the oil company decreased.
 

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.
 
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