商务英语口语 Lesson 11《Speak Business Engl...

Lesson 11 IDIOMS 英文释义

• (to) work one's tail off:  to work very hard
• EXAMPLE: The software developers worked their tails off to get the new software package released before Christmas.
• (to) call it quits:  to give up; to quit; to stop; to admit defeat
• EXAMPLE: When Borders announced they were building a new bookstore in town, the small book shop decided to call it quits.
• (to) throw in the towel: to give up; to surrender; to admit defeat
• EXAMPLE: After several years of trying to run a small business from his home, Patrick finally decided to throw in the towel.
• ORIGIN: This idiom comes from boxing. When a fighter was losing a match, his assistant would toss a towel into the ring to signal defeat and end the game. That towel was the same one used to wipe the sweat and blood off the boxer's face.
• We've been down before, but we always come back fighting.:  everything is going to be okay; we've had trouble in the past too, and we managed to get over that
•  EXAMPLE: We need to be optimistic about our future. We've been down before, but we always come back fighting.
• track record:  a record of achievement or performances
• EXAMPLE: General Electric has a proven track record of making successful acquisitions.
• (to) rest on one's laurels：to believe that past success is enough to guarantee that the future will also be successful; to rely too much on reputation
• EXAMPLE: The CEO made several positive changes during his first two years with the company, but now people say he's just resting on his laurels.
• ORIGIN: In Ancient Roman times, a crown made of laurels (from the laurel tree) was a symbol of victory.
• (to) turn around one's business: to make a business profitable again; to go from not making profits to being profitable again
• EXAMPLE: The telecom company was able to turn around its business by developing a popular new line of services.
• (to) roll up one's sleeves: to get ready to start something; to prepare to do something
• EXAMPLE: We've got to pack up 500 crystal vases by tomorrow morning, so let's roll up our sleeves and get to work.
• (to) get down to business:  to start work; to begin discussing the important issues
• EXAMPLE: We could talk about last night's baseball game for hours, but let's get down to business and start the negotiation.
• team spirit:  enthusiasm; enthusiasm about doing something for the group
• EXAMPLE: Jill is always organizing company trips and lunches. She's got a lot of team spirit.
• on board:  ready to participate; in agreement
• EXAMPLE: Before we agree to sign this contract with our new partner, we'd better make sure our president is on board.
• count me in: I will participate
• EXAMPLE: You're organizing a farewell party for Christine? Count me in.
• NOTE: You may also hear the shorter variation of this expression: I'm in. Example: You're organizing a farewell party for Christine? I'm in.
• (to) rally the troops: to motivate others; to get other people excited about doing something; to do something to improve the morale of the employees and get them energized about doing their work
• EXAMPLE: After the lay-offs and salary cuts, the airline president organized a meeting to rally the troops and plan for the next year.
• NOTE: The verb "to rally" has several definitions, but in this case means to "call together for a common goal or purpose." Troops is an informal way of describing a group of employees. The term comes from the military — a troop is a military unit.