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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. 

BUY (SOMETHING) ON CREDIT  

15 Mar 2025

Phrase

  • to buy something without paying cash.
Example Sentence: My friend had no money so he decided to buy some furniture on credit.
 

BAD DEBT bæd dɛt

15 Feb 2025

Noun

  • money that is owed but unlikely to be paid back.
Example Sentence: The bank's losses were caused by bad debt.
 

WORD-OF-MOUTH ADVERTISEMENT  

15 Jan 2025

Phrase

  • a type of advertisement when a product or service is popularized because people tell each other about it and not because they read about it or watch adverts on TV.
Example Sentence: Experts say that word-of-mouth advertising is much more influential than any other form of publicity because it is more genuine.
 

TO BRIBE braɪb

15 Dec 2024

Verb

  • to give someone (e.g. a civil servant) money (usually illegally) in the hope that they will do something for you in exchange.
Example Sentences: My son didn't want to do his homework so I bribed him with a big bar of chocolate.
Today someone tried to bribe me to give him a loan with better conditions but I refused to do so and immediately reported her to the management of the bank.
 

BRICKS AND MORTAR brɪkənˈmɔrtər

15 Nov 2024

Adjective

  • describing a business where customers can go when they want to buy something, as opposed to purely internet-based businesses.
Example Sentence: Operating a purely bricks-and-mortar business has several advantages, e.g. you don't have to pay the usual overheads like gas and heating.
 

NET WORTH nɛt wɜrθ

15 Oct 2024

Noun

  • the money value after liabilities (debts) are subtracted from assets.
Example Sentence: I owe $31,000 and have assets worth $87,000 so my net worth is $56,000.
 

COMMODITIES kəˈmɒdɪti

15 Sep 2024

Noun

  • Products such as agricultural products and natural resources (wood, oil and metals) that are traded on a separate, authorized commodities exchange.
Example Sentence: The country's most valuable commodities include tin and diamonds.
 

LEGAL TENDER /ligəl tɛndər/

15 Aug 2024

Noun

  • Legal tender is the money which can be officially used in a country.
Example Sentences: A French person tried to pay using old British pound notes. I told him they weren't legal tender any more.
 

TO ENDORSE A CHEQUE  

15 Jul 2024

Verb

  • to sign the cheque on the back.
Example Sentence: She endorsed the back of the cheque in order to cash it.
 

LATER leɪtər

15 Jun 2024

adjective

  • Later is the comparative form of the adjective late, meaning (happening or being) near the end of a period of time.
Example Sentences: Jenny said she'd be joining the meeting later.
He arrived a little later than expected.
 

TO DRIVE A HARD BARGAIN  

15 May 2024

phrase

  • To drive a hard bargain is to expect a lot in exchange for what you pay or do.
Example Sentences: It's hard doing business with Maggie. She drives a hard bargain.
I had to give them a 30% discount or the deal was off. They drove a hard bargain.
 

IMPORT LICENSE /ɪmˈpɔrt lahy-suh ns/

15 Apr 2024

phrase

  • An import license is a document issued by a national government authorizing the importation of certain goods into its territory.
Example Sentences:You won’t be able to import wood products into the country unless you have an import license to do so.
Although I had the correct import license, customs did not allow my shipment out of the port of entry.
 

TRAVEL INSURANCE trævəl ɪnˈʃʊərəns

15 Mar 2024

Noun

  • insurance which covers travellers in foreign countries, usually covers medical expenses, sometimes additional expenses.
Example Sentence: Travellers insurance is very important when traveling in developing or developed countries.

 

 

INTERNATIONAL DEPARTURES ɪntərˈnæʃənl dɪˈpɑrtʃərs

15 Feb 2024

Noun

  • flights leaving for destinations overseas (in a different country)
Example Sentence: All international departures have been cancelled due to the weather.

 

 

FLIGHT OF CAPITAL flaɪt ʌv kæpɪtl

15 Jan 2024

Phrase

  • large-scale withdrawal of investment from a country.
Example Sentence: The recent flight of capital was caused by political unrest.
 
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