Business ldioms(M-P)

小注释:推荐一人一段，见大字换人，对话中B角色可由右侧顺推麦序帮搭

Make big bucks

To make big bucks is to make a lot of money, or to experience a high amount of profit within a business. This is an informal phrase and should be avoided outside of social situations.

A: I’m not out to make big bucks from this; I want to put the profit back into the local community.

B: We’ve heard people say that before.

Make ends meet

To make ends meet is to earn enough money to survive. The phrase can be used to describe an individual person, or a larger business or corporation. People usually use this phrase when they are struggling to make a profit and are questioning the success of a business or exploit.

A: I didn’t realize we weren’t allowed to work for competitor stores. I swear to you, I’m just trying to make ends meet.

B: You should have asked us for more hours; you know we have vacancies advertised.

Make something known

To make something known is to reveal something to someone or a group of people. Usually, when we make something known it has been kept secret or hidden up to that point, and the action of making it known is something that will be valued and appreciated. Even if the news itself is bad, the action of revealing it is seen as a positive one.

A: I think we should make it known that we’re not going to extend the lease. They deserve to know in time to look for new jobs.

B: They may not have to look for new jobs if they find someone to replace us.

Mint condition

Mint condition is an expression used to describe something that is in perfect condition—it hasn’t suffered any damage or wear. The phrase comes from coins. A coin is described as being in mint condition when it is in the same state as it was when it came from the mint. A mint is the place where coins are made.

A: This specimen is in mint condition, as if it was made yesterday.

B: My goodness, it’s beautiful. How much is it expected to sell for?

Miss the boat

When someone misses the boat, they are too slow, or take too much time, which results in them missing an opportunity. The phrase can also be heard as miss the bus. Both phrases mean the same thing.

A: They really missed the boat in delaying the rollout of its wireless features.

B: Yeah, nobody cared because all of the major brands were doing it by that point. They should have launched them with the device.

Miss the mark

If you miss the mark then you are unsuccessful when you thought you were going to succeed. Missing the mark is a failure to achieve something that you believed was going to work out.

A: What did you think of our presentation at the ceremony last night?

B: Honestly? I think you guys really missed the mark this time. Your hard work was wasted on that audience – you should have done more research.

Money to burn

If someone has money to burn then they are very wealthy – so wealthy that they could burn their money and see no difference in their financial well- being. The phrase is an uncomplimentary way to describe extreme wealth. Some expressions that are considered more polite and positive include “very fortunate,” “extremely wealthy,” and “positively booming.”

A: They won’t be worried about the price. They’ve got money to burn in that family.

B: I hope you’re right, because we need to pay the bills.

Monopoly money

Monopoly money is a term used in business to refer to bargaining tools, equity, or property which has a distinct lack of value to it. It originates from the board game Monopoly, which uses fake cash as game tokens. To say that someone trades in monopoly money means that they do not trade with valuable properties and objects; it can also mean that their payment is untrustworthy and possibly fraudulent.

A: You can’t pull out of the deal this close to the closing stages!

B: I can pull out of anything I want, Philip. Especially when the people I’m doing business with appear to trade in monopoly money.

Move in on

To move in on someone or something is to take charge, or attempt to take charge, of them/it. Usually this involves taking control from someone or something who/that already has it. The phrase is often used in a predatory sense, with the person taking control through sly or dishonest means.

A: She’s moving in on the company. That’s what everyone is saying in the canteen.

B: Everyone would say that. A lot of people are scared of a strong woman who gets things done.

Mum’s the word

The word “mum” comes from Old English and means silent. When people say mum’s the word, they are saying that silence is key. The phrase can be used to refer to oneself keeping a secret, or it can be meant as a request for others do so.

A: This is between me and you. Nobody else knows about it, so I’ll know if you tell anyone.

B: You can trust me, Jaq. Mum’s the word.

My gut tells me

This phrase is similar to having a gut feeling. If someone’s gut tells them something, it usually does so without them having much prior knowledge. Gut feelings are based on instinct rather than experience and fact, and people can have good or bad feelings in their gut.

A: My gut tells me this is going to be a good day for the company, Greg.

B: I hope so, buddy. If we don’t get a deal signed soon we’re going to be in trouble.

No BS

Warning – this phrase is an abbreviated expletive. It should only be used in informal situations. The full phrase is “no bullshit,” and it can also be phrased cut the BS. This expression indicates that someone should tell the straightforward truth about an issue.

A: Come on, Francisco. No BS. Tell me what happened yesterday in the boardroom.

B: Honestly, Gina? I wasn’t there; I messed up and caught the wrong train. By the time I got to the office the meeting had finished.

No harm done

When someone says there is no harm done they mean that there have been no negative consequences to an action or event. We usually use this phrase to reassure people that they have not caused difficulty or problems.

A: I didn’t want to upset you this morning in the briefing. But I thought that it had to be said.

B: There was no harm done, Richard. I’ll do my best to remember which spot is your parking spot.

No strings attached

This phrase is used to describe relationships that are free of restrictions, conditions, or attachments that might hinder progress or full control over a situation. The phrase comes from the use of puppets – wooden dolls which were controlled by a puppet master using a complex network of strings.