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Captain of industryAcross the board MEANING: including everyone or everything EXAMPLE: The computer company decided to give the workers an across-the-board increase in their salary. At a loss MEANING: sell something and lose money EXAMPLE: We were forced to sell the computers at a big loss. Bail a company out MEANING: help or rescue a company with financial problems. EXAMPLE: The government decided to bail out the failing bank in order to maintain stability in the economy. ball park figure/estimate MEANING: a rough estimate or figure EXAMPLE: The contractor gave us a ball park figure for the cost of repairing the new building. Bang for the buck MEANING: value for the money spent EXAMPLE: We were able to get a big bang for our buck when we advertised on the Internet. banker’s hours MEANING: short work hours EXAMPLE: My sister’s husband owns his own company and is able to work banker’s hours with his large staff. Bean-counter MEANING: an accountant EXAMPLE: We asked the bean-counters to look over the figures in the new budget. big gun/cheese/wheel/wig MEANING: an important person, a leader EXAMPLE: The new director was a big wheel in his previous company but is not so important now. bottom fall out/drop out MEANING: to fall below an earlier lowest price EXAMPLE: When the bottom fell out of the coffee market many companies had to stop doing business. Bottom line MEANING: the total, the final figure on a balance sheet EXAMPLE: When they examined the bottom line of the company they decided not to invest in it. Bottom out MEANING: reach the lowest or worst point of something EXAMPLE: The value of the stock has begun to bottom out and should soon begin to increase in value. boys/men in the backroom MEANING: a group of men making decisions behind the scenes EXAMPLE: The boys in the backroom told us that we must close down the factory as soon as possible. Break even MEANING: have expenses equal to profits EXAMPLE: After only three months the company was able to break even and start making profits. budget squeeze/crunch MEANING: a situation where there is not enough money in the budget EXAMPLE: We have been going through a severe budget squeeze at our company and must begin to stop spending money in a wasteful manner. Buy off MEANING: use a gift or money to divert someone from their duty or purpose EXAMPLE: The land developer tried to buy off the politician but he was not successful. Buy out MEANING: buy the ownership or a decisive share of something EXAMPLE: The company was bought out by another large company in the textile industry. By a long shot MEANING: by a big difference, by far EXAMPLE: The soap company was able to beat out the bids of the other companies by a long shot. Calculated risk MEANING: an action that may fail but has a good chance to succeed EXAMPLE: They took a calculated risk when they introduced the new computer screen onto the market. captain of industry MEANING: a top corporation officer EXAMPLE: The president of our company was a captain of industry and after he retired he was appointed to many government boards. Carry over MEANING: save for another time EXAMPLE: We were forced to carry over the sale to the Monday after the national holiday. Carry over MEANING: transfer (a figure) from one column or book to another EXAMPLE: Our company is still facing difficult times and we will have to carry over last year’s losses to this year. Carry the day MEANING: win completely EXAMPLE: The president’s new idea carried the day and everyone supported him energetically. Carry through MEANING: put into action EXAMPLE: The steel company carried through their plan to restructure all of their operations. Close out MEANING: sell the whole of something, sell all the goods EXAMPLE: They decided to close out the store and sell all of the remaining stock very cheap. Close the books MEANING: stop taking orders, end a bookkeeping period EXAMPLE: They usually close the books at the end of February every year. Cold call MEANING: call a potential customer from a list of persons one has never seen EXAMPLE: When he first started to work at his company he was asked to make cold calls using the telephone book. Come on strong MEANING: overwhelm with excessively strong language or personality EXAMPLE: The salesman came on too strong at the meeting and angered the other members of the team. Company man MEANING: a person who always works hard and agrees with his employees EXAMPLE: My father was a true company man and was always putting in an extra effort for his company. Company town MEANING: a town dominated by one industry or company EXAMPLE: When the coal mine closed down the company town faced severe economic times. Cut back MEANING: use fewer or use less EXAMPLE: The company has been cutting back on entertainment expenses for over a year now. Cut corners MEANING: economize EXAMPLE: We have been forced to economize on stationary expenses during these severe economic times. Cut off MEANING: interrupt or stop EXAMPLE: The speech of the president was cut off when the electricity went off in the building. cut one’s losses MEANING: do something to stop losing money or something EXAMPLE: We should sell the old machinery as soon as possible and try and cut our losses. Deliver the goods MEANING: succeed in doing well what is expected EXAMPLE: The new owner of the company is not very popular but he is able to deliver the goods. Double-check MEANING: check something again to confirm EXAMPLE: We were unable to double-check the costs of the new products before the price list was printed. Face value MEANING: the official worth or trust of something EXAMPLE: Although the face value of the postage stamp was very low it sold at the auction for much money. Fair play MEANING: justice, equal and right action to someone EXAMPLE: The company is very good to work for as they always use fair play when they are bargaining with their employees. Figure out MEANING: find an answer by thinking about something EXAMPLE: Everyone in our company is trying to figure out what our boss is going to do with the new equipment. Fill the bill MEANING: be just what is needed EXAMPLE: That new machine should fill the bill as to what we need to finish the job. Finger in the pie MEANING: involved in what is happening, receiving money for something EXAMPLE: The new manager has his finger in the pie in all aspects of our company’s business. Gain ground MEANING: go forward, make progress EXAMPLE: Our company has been gaining ground in our attempt to be the best in the industry. Get a break MEANING: get an opportunity or good deal EXAMPLE: We were able to get a break on the price of the paint and saved a lot of money. Get off the ground MEANING: make a successful beginning, go ahead EXAMPLE: We were unable to get the new product off the ground and will have to wait until next year. Date: 2015-12-11; view: 1195
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