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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. 

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.
 

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.
 

IN BLACK AND WHITE  

Phrase

  • in writing.
Example Sentence: The company refused to deal with the customer's complaints until they were put in black and white.
 

BOYS IN THE BACKROOM  

Phrase

  • a group of men making decisions behind the scenes.
Example Sentence: The boys in the backroom told us that the factory will close next year.
 

AGEISM eɪdʒɪzəm

Noun

  • to treat somebody unfairly because of their age.
Example Sentence: She claims that she was refused the job because of ageism.
 

TO PIGEONHOLE pɪdʒənˌhoʊl

Verb

  • to categorise somebody, to label somebody.
Example Sentence: Almost everybody gets pigeonholed for one reason or another. My boss, for example, thinks I am the one who is always late, although I only miss my train to work every second week.
 

TO DOWNSIZE daʊnˌsaɪz

Verb

  • to cut the number of employees because the company wants to reduce costs.
Example Sentence: When the company decided to 'let me go' because they were downsizing, I started to panic. It took me two weeks to calm down and start thinking about what's next.
 

BRAINSTORM breɪnˌstɔrm

Verb

  • to think together as a team, often in order to come up with a solution to a particular problem.
Example Sentence: Although we have been brainstorming for weeks, we haven't been able to find a good way of getting ahead of our competitors so far – we might need to invite an expert to help.
 

DIRECT TAXATION dɪˈrɛkt tækˈseɪʃən

Noun

  • includes taxes which are imposed directly on the individual paying them.
Example Sentences: Examples of direct taxation are income tax, capital gains tax and inheritance tax.
High direct taxation hits the rich hard.
 

BOND bɒnd

Noun

  • Certificate issued by companies and governments to its lenders.
Example Sentences: Bonds are considered a safe investment as they are guaranteed by governments.
 

LUNCHEON VOUCHERS /lʌntʃən vaʊtʃər/

Noun

  • Luncheon vouchers are given by employers to employees to buy meals in some restaurants.
Example Sentences: Selected workers would benefit from luncheon vouchers, free transportation to the construction site and accommodation on location.
 

TO WITHDRAW /wɪðˈdrɔ/

Verb

  • to take money out of an account. Also, withdrawal is the noun form.
Example Sentences: He withdrew enough money to pay off his loan.
Ms. Lowell made a withdrawal of $175.
 

ADVISE ædˈvaɪz

verb

  • To advise means to give someone advice.
Example Sentences: I think I'd advise him to leave the company.
I'd strongly advise against making a sudden decision.
 

TO HANG UP ONE'S BOOTS  

phrase

  • To hang up your boots is to retire from your job or profession.
Example Sentences: After 40 years in the police force, Paul finally hung up his boots.
After winning the World Rugby Cup, Martin Johnson, England's captain, hung up his boots.
 

INSURANCE BENEFITS ɪnˈʃʊərəns bɛnəfɪts

Noun

  • the amount of money the policy will pay after a claim.
Example Sentence: The insurance benefits of this life insurance policy are paid up to $100,000.

 

 
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