Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does it mean to 'throw a curveball' in a conversation?
What does it mean to 'throw a curveball' in a conversation?
Why is it important to 'keep your cards close to your chest' during negotiations?
Why is it important to 'keep your cards close to your chest' during negotiations?
What does it mean to 'throw someone under the bus'?
What does it mean to 'throw someone under the bus'?
What does the phrase 'open a can of worms' imply?
What does the phrase 'open a can of worms' imply?
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When is the phrase 'all hands on deck' typically used?
When is the phrase 'all hands on deck' typically used?
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What does 'another day, another dollar' express?
What does 'another day, another dollar' express?
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What does it mean if someone is 'running late'?
What does it mean if someone is 'running late'?
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How is the phrase 'let's grab lunch' typically used?
How is the phrase 'let's grab lunch' typically used?
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Which scenario best exemplifies 'throwing someone under the bus'?
Which scenario best exemplifies 'throwing someone under the bus'?
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What does saying 'I've got to get to work' suggest?
What does saying 'I've got to get to work' suggest?
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In what context would someone say 'I'm running early'?
In what context would someone say 'I'm running early'?
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What does the phrase 'I'm sorry I opened this can of worms' indicate?
What does the phrase 'I'm sorry I opened this can of worms' indicate?
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Which phrase implies the need for immediacy and urgency in a situation?
Which phrase implies the need for immediacy and urgency in a situation?
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What does the phrase 'hit the ground running' imply in a workplace context?
What does the phrase 'hit the ground running' imply in a workplace context?
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What is meant by 'thinking outside the box'?
What is meant by 'thinking outside the box'?
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What does the expression 'back to the drawing board' signify?
What does the expression 'back to the drawing board' signify?
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When someone says they 'have their ear to the ground', what does it mean?
When someone says they 'have their ear to the ground', what does it mean?
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What does moving the goalposts refer to?
What does moving the goalposts refer to?
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If someone is advised not to 'throw in the towel', what is being encouraged?
If someone is advised not to 'throw in the towel', what is being encouraged?
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What does the phrase 'hit the nail on the head' mean?
What does the phrase 'hit the nail on the head' mean?
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What does 'throwing a curveball' refer to in a situation?
What does 'throwing a curveball' refer to in a situation?
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Which of these sayings suggests the need for careful listening to gain insight?
Which of these sayings suggests the need for careful listening to gain insight?
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What is implied by telling someone to 'not throw in the towel just yet'?
What is implied by telling someone to 'not throw in the towel just yet'?
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Which phrase would most likely be used when reassessing a failed attempt?
Which phrase would most likely be used when reassessing a failed attempt?
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When someone states they are an 'outside the box thinker', what quality are they highlighting?
When someone states they are an 'outside the box thinker', what quality are they highlighting?
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What does it mean if a project’s requirements are described as being 'moved'?
What does it mean if a project’s requirements are described as being 'moved'?
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What is the common interpretation of 'keeping your ear to the ground'?
What is the common interpretation of 'keeping your ear to the ground'?
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What does the phrase 'cutting corners' imply in a workplace context?
What does the phrase 'cutting corners' imply in a workplace context?
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When would you likely use the phrase 'walk me through it'?
When would you likely use the phrase 'walk me through it'?
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How can the phrase 'with all due respect' be best described?
How can the phrase 'with all due respect' be best described?
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What does the phrase 'put a pin in it' suggest?
What does the phrase 'put a pin in it' suggest?
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If someone is described as 'doing things by the book', what does it mean?
If someone is described as 'doing things by the book', what does it mean?
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What does it mean to 'look at the big picture'?
What does it mean to 'look at the big picture'?
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What does the expression 'came up short' indicate?
What does the expression 'came up short' indicate?
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Which of the following phrases suggests starting a project enthusiastically?
Which of the following phrases suggests starting a project enthusiastically?
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Which phrase would be used to indicate a need to delay a conversation until later?
Which phrase would be used to indicate a need to delay a conversation until later?
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What does 'cutting corners' imply about safety procedures?
What does 'cutting corners' imply about safety procedures?
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In what context might 'with all due respect' be particularly useful?
In what context might 'with all due respect' be particularly useful?
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If someone is advised to 'look at the big picture' in business, what should they do?
If someone is advised to 'look at the big picture' in business, what should they do?
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When might you express that someone has 'come up short'?
When might you express that someone has 'come up short'?
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What is a key implication of the phrase 'by the book'?
What is a key implication of the phrase 'by the book'?
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What does the phrase 'catch up' mean in a casual phone conversation?
What does the phrase 'catch up' mean in a casual phone conversation?
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When someone says 'I've got a favor to ask,' what are they indicating?
When someone says 'I've got a favor to ask,' what are they indicating?
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What does saying 'What's new?' imply in a conversation?
What does saying 'What's new?' imply in a conversation?
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How is the phrase 'I'm just calling to check in' typically interpreted?
How is the phrase 'I'm just calling to check in' typically interpreted?
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What is the meaning of the question 'What time did you have in mind?'
What is the meaning of the question 'What time did you have in mind?'
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What does the phrase 'I could go for' imply?
What does the phrase 'I could go for' imply?
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In a casual call, what might the response 'Nothing much, what's up with you?' indicate?
In a casual call, what might the response 'Nothing much, what's up with you?' indicate?
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What does 'to take a stroll' mean?
What does 'to take a stroll' mean?
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When asking 'What are you up to right now?', what is the speaker trying to find out?
When asking 'What are you up to right now?', what is the speaker trying to find out?
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What does the phrase 'shoot' signify in a conversation?
What does the phrase 'shoot' signify in a conversation?
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What does 'run a load of laundry' refer to?
What does 'run a load of laundry' refer to?
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What does 'load the dishwasher' entail?
What does 'load the dishwasher' entail?
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What does asking 'When do you want to meet up?' generally imply?
What does asking 'When do you want to meet up?' generally imply?
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What is meant by the phrase 'I'm headed to bed'?
What is meant by the phrase 'I'm headed to bed'?
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What is the purpose of the phrase 'I'm all ears' in conversation?
What is the purpose of the phrase 'I'm all ears' in conversation?
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What does 'I'm tuckered out' mean?
What does 'I'm tuckered out' mean?
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How might 'What's going on?' be interpreted in a phone call?
How might 'What's going on?' be interpreted in a phone call?
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What does the expression 'don't let the bed bugs bite' signify?
What does the expression 'don't let the bed bugs bite' signify?
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When introducing a conversation, what does 'what have you been up to lately?' indicate?
When introducing a conversation, what does 'what have you been up to lately?' indicate?
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What kind of tone does the phrase 'totally' convey in a conversation?
What kind of tone does the phrase 'totally' convey in a conversation?
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What does 'you're breaking up' imply during a phone call?
What does 'you're breaking up' imply during a phone call?
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What is meant by saying 'sorry, I have bad service'?
What is meant by saying 'sorry, I have bad service'?
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What is meant by 'scrolling social media'?
What is meant by 'scrolling social media'?
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When someone says they need to 'take out the trash,' what do they mean?
When someone says they need to 'take out the trash,' what do they mean?
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What does 'turn out a movie' mean?
What does 'turn out a movie' mean?
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What does it signify when you say 'I have to pick up the house'?
What does it signify when you say 'I have to pick up the house'?
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What does it mean when someone says they are 'tied up'?
What does it mean when someone says they are 'tied up'?
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What does the idiom 'putting out fires' commonly refer to?
What does the idiom 'putting out fires' commonly refer to?
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What phrase can be used to signify the end of the workday?
What phrase can be used to signify the end of the workday?
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What is meant by the term 'bumper to bumper traffic'?
What is meant by the term 'bumper to bumper traffic'?
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What does the expression 'running errands' refer to?
What does the expression 'running errands' refer to?
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What does 'topping off the gas' imply?
What does 'topping off the gas' imply?
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What does the phrase 'happy hump day' signify?
What does the phrase 'happy hump day' signify?
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What does the term 'detour' refer to when mentioned in a traffic context?
What does the term 'detour' refer to when mentioned in a traffic context?
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When someone says they are 'up to their neck in meetings', what do they mean?
When someone says they are 'up to their neck in meetings', what do they mean?
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What does the phrase 'I’m running on empty' mean?
What does the phrase 'I’m running on empty' mean?
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What does it mean to 'grab a bite'?
What does it mean to 'grab a bite'?
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What does 'picking up some groceries' imply?
What does 'picking up some groceries' imply?
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What does the expression 'thank God it’s Friday' commonly express?
What does the expression 'thank God it’s Friday' commonly express?
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When someone says they are 'tied up with calls', what are they indicating?
When someone says they are 'tied up with calls', what are they indicating?
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What does the phrase 'I can pencil you in' imply?
What does the phrase 'I can pencil you in' imply?
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Which phrase is commonly used to confirm a scheduled appointment?
Which phrase is commonly used to confirm a scheduled appointment?
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What is an appropriate way to end a formal phone conversation?
What is an appropriate way to end a formal phone conversation?
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If someone suggests a time that does not work for you, what phrase should you use?
If someone suggests a time that does not work for you, what phrase should you use?
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What does saying 'I'll see you then' convey?
What does saying 'I'll see you then' convey?
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When is it appropriate to say 'thanks for calling'?
When is it appropriate to say 'thanks for calling'?
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What does 'do you have anything available earlier?' ask about?
What does 'do you have anything available earlier?' ask about?
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If you are feeling nervous about making a call, which approach is recommended?
If you are feeling nervous about making a call, which approach is recommended?
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Which phrase would be appropriate for a casual goodbye?
Which phrase would be appropriate for a casual goodbye?
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What does asking 'when are you free?' communicate?
What does asking 'when are you free?' communicate?
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How can you clarify appointment details if they are unclear?
How can you clarify appointment details if they are unclear?
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What is an example of a phrase to express gratitude at the end of a call?
What is an example of a phrase to express gratitude at the end of a call?
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What could 'I'll talk to you soon' indicate?
What could 'I'll talk to you soon' indicate?
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Which statement describes a common feeling when making an appointment call?
Which statement describes a common feeling when making an appointment call?
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What does the phrase 'your place or mine' imply when making plans?
What does the phrase 'your place or mine' imply when making plans?
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What can be inferred from asking 'have you eaten yet'?
What can be inferred from asking 'have you eaten yet'?
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What does the phrase 'let's grab a bite' suggest?
What does the phrase 'let's grab a bite' suggest?
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Why might someone ask 'what's going to be there' before attending an event?
Why might someone ask 'what's going to be there' before attending an event?
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What does 'do you want me to pick you up' imply?
What does 'do you want me to pick you up' imply?
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When someone says 'I'll send you the details', what information are they likely referring to?
When someone says 'I'll send you the details', what information are they likely referring to?
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What does asking 'do you need a ride' convey?
What does asking 'do you need a ride' convey?
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What does asking about different cuisines, like 'what do you think about Mexican', typically refer to?
What does asking about different cuisines, like 'what do you think about Mexican', typically refer to?
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Why might someone say 'what should I wear' when making plans?
Why might someone say 'what should I wear' when making plans?
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What is the significance of phrases like 'it's a date' when ending a conversation?
What is the significance of phrases like 'it's a date' when ending a conversation?
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When suggesting a meeting location, what does 'I'll drive' communicate?
When suggesting a meeting location, what does 'I'll drive' communicate?
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What does 'can you text me the details' imply about the person's communication preference?
What does 'can you text me the details' imply about the person's communication preference?
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How does asking 'how are you getting there' help in planning?
How does asking 'how are you getting there' help in planning?
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What aspect of planning does 'text me the details' focus on?
What aspect of planning does 'text me the details' focus on?
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What phrase is appropriate to express gratitude at the beginning of a presentation?
What phrase is appropriate to express gratitude at the beginning of a presentation?
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How can you acknowledge someone's hard work in a meeting?
How can you acknowledge someone's hard work in a meeting?
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What is a suitable phrase to express agreement with someone during a meeting?
What is a suitable phrase to express agreement with someone during a meeting?
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What phrase can be used to request further clarification on a point?
What phrase can be used to request further clarification on a point?
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Which phrase would you use to summarize your thoughts at the end of a presentation?
Which phrase would you use to summarize your thoughts at the end of a presentation?
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What is a professional way to inform someone that you have attached a document in an email?
What is a professional way to inform someone that you have attached a document in an email?
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If you want to encourage someone to ask questions, which phrase would you use?
If you want to encourage someone to ask questions, which phrase would you use?
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What is an appropriate way to apologize for any confusion during a meeting?
What is an appropriate way to apologize for any confusion during a meeting?
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How would you express eagerness to hear a colleague's opinion in an email?
How would you express eagerness to hear a colleague's opinion in an email?
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If someone provides valuable feedback in a meeting, how can you acknowledge it?
If someone provides valuable feedback in a meeting, how can you acknowledge it?
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What phrase is used to express anticipation of improving a work relationship?
What phrase is used to express anticipation of improving a work relationship?
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Which phrase indicates transitioning to the next point on an agenda?
Which phrase indicates transitioning to the next point on an agenda?
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What is a polite way to start a formal email?
What is a polite way to start a formal email?
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How can you express appreciation for someone's attention to detail?
How can you express appreciation for someone's attention to detail?
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What does the phrase 'that's just what I need' imply when used sarcastically?
What does the phrase 'that's just what I need' imply when used sarcastically?
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Why might telling someone to relax be counterproductive?
Why might telling someone to relax be counterproductive?
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What does the suggestion of using certain phrases in conversation imply about communication styles?
What does the suggestion of using certain phrases in conversation imply about communication styles?
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In what situation would one typically say 'that's what I needed' with sincerity?
In what situation would one typically say 'that's what I needed' with sincerity?
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What can be inferred about the phrase 'I am always here when you need' in a conversation?
What can be inferred about the phrase 'I am always here when you need' in a conversation?
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What does the phrase 'take it easy' imply in casual conversation?
What does the phrase 'take it easy' imply in casual conversation?
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Which phrase is more formal to use when meeting someone?
Which phrase is more formal to use when meeting someone?
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How should you express gratitude in a professional email for a prompt reply?
How should you express gratitude in a professional email for a prompt reply?
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What is a polite way to ask someone if they have time to help you?
What is a polite way to ask someone if they have time to help you?
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Which phrase would you use to thank someone for their support?
Which phrase would you use to thank someone for their support?
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What phrase can you use to introduce yourself in a formal setting?
What phrase can you use to introduce yourself in a formal setting?
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What is an informal way to say goodbye that builds rapport?
What is an informal way to say goodbye that builds rapport?
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Which phrase suggests someone's contribution is valuable to the team?
Which phrase suggests someone's contribution is valuable to the team?
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What phrase can indicate enjoyment of a collaborative project?
What phrase can indicate enjoyment of a collaborative project?
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What is the meaning of the phrase 'moving the needle' in a workplace context?
What is the meaning of the phrase 'moving the needle' in a workplace context?
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Which is an appropriate closing phrase for a formal proposal email?
Which is an appropriate closing phrase for a formal proposal email?
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How can you politely check in with someone you have met previously?
How can you politely check in with someone you have met previously?
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Which phrase is appropriate to offer your help in a professional setting?
Which phrase is appropriate to offer your help in a professional setting?
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What is a common casual greeting you might use at work?
What is a common casual greeting you might use at work?
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What does the phrase 'pull the plug on it' mean in a workplace context?
What does the phrase 'pull the plug on it' mean in a workplace context?
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What does 'getting the hang of it' imply?
What does 'getting the hang of it' imply?
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Which phrase would you use to encourage colleagues to participate before closing a discussion?
Which phrase would you use to encourage colleagues to participate before closing a discussion?
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What does the idiom 'in the pipeline' refer to?
What does the idiom 'in the pipeline' refer to?
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What does the expression 'I'm looking forward to our continued collaboration' suggest?
What does the expression 'I'm looking forward to our continued collaboration' suggest?
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What is meant by the phrase 'get you up to speed'?
What is meant by the phrase 'get you up to speed'?
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Which phrase implies that someone is available for further inquiries?
Which phrase implies that someone is available for further inquiries?
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What does the term 'brownie points' refer to?
What does the term 'brownie points' refer to?
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What does the phrase 'you get the picture' indicate?
What does the phrase 'you get the picture' indicate?
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What is the purpose of saying 'as we move forward, let's keep these key points in mind'?
What is the purpose of saying 'as we move forward, let's keep these key points in mind'?
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Which phrase would suggest that a person is doing well in their job?
Which phrase would suggest that a person is doing well in their job?
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What does the phrase 'I trust this message finds you well' imply at the start of a message?
What does the phrase 'I trust this message finds you well' imply at the start of a message?
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What does 'let's reflect on what we've covered' encourage during a meeting?
What does 'let's reflect on what we've covered' encourage during a meeting?
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What does the phrase 'take five' typically refer to?
What does the phrase 'take five' typically refer to?
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What does it mean to 'drum up' something in a business context?
What does it mean to 'drum up' something in a business context?
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What does 'to pick someone's brain' imply?
What does 'to pick someone's brain' imply?
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Which phrase indicates that time is limited?
Which phrase indicates that time is limited?
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In a work context, what does 'jump right into' something mean?
In a work context, what does 'jump right into' something mean?
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How is 'to build on' someone's ideas generally understood?
How is 'to build on' someone's ideas generally understood?
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What does 'spending quality time' with family imply?
What does 'spending quality time' with family imply?
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Which phrase indicates uncertainty about future outcomes?
Which phrase indicates uncertainty about future outcomes?
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What does saying 'take your time' mean in a conversation?
What does saying 'take your time' mean in a conversation?
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What does the phrase 'we are okay on time' indicate?
What does the phrase 'we are okay on time' indicate?
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Which phrase might be used to describe a task that is daunting?
Which phrase might be used to describe a task that is daunting?
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What does it mean when someone says, 'let's just see what happens'?
What does it mean when someone says, 'let's just see what happens'?
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In casual communication, what does 'I will get to this later' usually mean?
In casual communication, what does 'I will get to this later' usually mean?
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What does the phrase 'to be honest' imply in a conversation?
What does the phrase 'to be honest' imply in a conversation?
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What does saying 'I didn't love it' typically indicate?
What does saying 'I didn't love it' typically indicate?
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What does being 'in it for the long haul' suggest about a person's commitment?
What does being 'in it for the long haul' suggest about a person's commitment?
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What does the phrase 'don't be silly' generally convey?
What does the phrase 'don't be silly' generally convey?
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What does the phrase 'I can see that' typically express in conversation?
What does the phrase 'I can see that' typically express in conversation?
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What does the expression 'nailed it' signify when used in feedback?
What does the expression 'nailed it' signify when used in feedback?
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What is the meaning of 'thanks a million'?
What is the meaning of 'thanks a million'?
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What does saying 'you are more than welcome' imply?
What does saying 'you are more than welcome' imply?
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What does the phrase 'you can handle it' convey?
What does the phrase 'you can handle it' convey?
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What does the term 'quitting time' refer to?
What does the term 'quitting time' refer to?
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What does the phrase 'chill out' usually mean when used as a command?
What does the phrase 'chill out' usually mean when used as a command?
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What does saying 'I have faith in you' imply?
What does saying 'I have faith in you' imply?
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In the context of relaxing, what does 'chill out' imply?
In the context of relaxing, what does 'chill out' imply?
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What does it mean to have 'brownie points' at work?
What does it mean to have 'brownie points' at work?
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What is implied when someone says they are 'burning the midnight oil'?
What is implied when someone says they are 'burning the midnight oil'?
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What does it mean if someone is 'on the hook' for a mistake?
What does it mean if someone is 'on the hook' for a mistake?
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What does the phrase 'meet me halfway' imply?
What does the phrase 'meet me halfway' imply?
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What does 'selling someone a bill of goods' mean?
What does 'selling someone a bill of goods' mean?
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If someone asks you to 'pencil them in,' what are they requesting?
If someone asks you to 'pencil them in,' what are they requesting?
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What does the phrase 'crunch the numbers' refer to?
What does the phrase 'crunch the numbers' refer to?
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How is the term 'self-starter' defined in the workplace?
How is the term 'self-starter' defined in the workplace?
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What does it mean if someone feels that the 'goalposts' have been moved?
What does it mean if someone feels that the 'goalposts' have been moved?
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What is indicated when a product is described as a 'cash cow'?
What is indicated when a product is described as a 'cash cow'?
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What does it mean when someone is asked to 'stay off the hook'?
What does it mean when someone is asked to 'stay off the hook'?
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If someone is said to be 'putting in extra hours,' what are they doing?
If someone is said to be 'putting in extra hours,' what are they doing?
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What does it mean to 'close the deal'?
What does it mean to 'close the deal'?
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Study Notes
Workplace Phrases
- Cutting Corners - Doing something in the easiest, but not necessarily the most efficient or correct, way. A negative connotation.
- Walk me through it - A request for somebody to explain a process in detail, step by step. Commonly used for new tasks or technical ones.
- With all due respect - A polite phrase to add to a critique or suggestion, communicating that the speaker is trying to be respectful when offering an alternative.
- Put a pin in something - Postponing a discussion about a certain topic. Useful in meetings or when facing a time constraint.
- By the book - Following every single rule and procedure. Can refer to a person who strictly adheres to regulations.
- Let's look at the big picture - Considering the larger context or long-term goals. Helpful to avoid focusing solely on immediate details.
- Came up short - Failing to meet expectations or reach a target. Often used when discussing financial or goal-oriented situations.
- Hit the ground running - Starting an activity or project with enthusiasm and immediate action. Often associated with eagerness and efficiency.
- Think outside the box - Finding creative solutions to a problem, especially when traditional methods fail. Often valued in workplaces seeking innovative solutions.
- Back to the drawing board - Starting over completely when a previous attempt fails. A common idiom when encountering roadblocks in problem-solving.
- Have your ear to the ground - Paying close attention to what's going on and "listening" for information. Useful when seeking insights or anticipating changes.
- Moving the goal post - Changing the requirements or expectations during a project or task, making it more difficult to achieve. Considered unfair and disruptive.
- Throwing in the towel - Giving up on something after multiple attempts. Often associated with frustration or a lack of progress.
- Hit the nail on the head - Being completely correct, especially in analyzing a situation or problem. Often used as a compliment.
- Throwing a curveball - Unexpectedly changing the situation or introducing a new element. Can be disruptive or confusing.
- Keep your cards close to your chest - Maintaining secrecy about plans or tactics. Useful in negotiations to gain an advantage.
- Throwing someone under the bus - Blaming someone else for a mistake or failure. A negative and unethical practice.
- Opening a can of worms - Starting a discussion about a complex and potentially problematic topic. Can lead to lengthy discussions with no easy solutions.
- All hands on deck - Requesting everyone to contribute to a project or task. Often used in situations demanding urgent or important work.
- Another day, another dollar - An American expression that signifies the routine of working to earn money. Typically used to cope with daily work demands.
- I’ve got to get to work - It's time to start work.
- Running on time, running early, or running late - Expressions to describe how early or late a person is or expects to be for work.
- Let’s go to lunch - Time to take a break and eat lunch, can be eaten on-site or off-site.
- Let’s grab lunch together - A casual way to suggest getting a meal together.
- Light workload, heavy workload - Terms to describe the amount of work that needs to be completed.
- Today is a breeze - A day for which the tasks are easy to accomplish.
- Tied up - Busy and unable to answer questions or help.
- Up to my neck - overwhelmed with tasks or meetings.
- Put out a ton of fires - Dealing with multiple issues or problems at once.
- Let’s call it quits - Time to finish the workday.
Ending the Day
- "Let's call it a day" means it's time to stop working for the day.
Working Day Slang
- "TGIF" stands for "Thank God it's Friday" and expresses happiness about the weekend starting.
- "Happy Hump Day" is a casual, humorous phrase used on Wednesdays, acknowledging that the week's halfway point is reached.
Leaving Work & Commute
- "Bumper to bumper traffic" describes heavy traffic where cars are close together, like a parking lot on the road.
- A "detour" is a different route taken due to road closures, construction, or heavy traffic.
- "Running errands" refers to completing tasks or going out to pick up or drop off items, such as groceries, mail, or coffee.
- "Picking up groceries" means going to the grocery store to buy food.
- Saying "stopping for gas" or "getting gas" means pulling over to refuel your car.
Fuel Concerns
- "Running on empty" or "running on E" means your car is low on fuel, and "E" stands for "empty" on the fuel gauge.
- "Topping off the gas" means filling your gas tank completely, even when it's not empty.
Dinner Time
- "Grabbing a bite" or "grabbing dinner" means going out to eat at a restaurant.
- "Picking up dinner" is when you buy ready-made food from a restaurant for takeout.
- "What's for dinner" is how you ask about the dinner plans.
- "How does _______ sound?" Like, "How does Italian sound?", is a way to suggest a type of food for dinner.
- Saying "I could go for _______" Like, "I could go for pizza", means you're craving that specific food.
Evening Activities
- "Going for a run" means going out to run for exercise.
- "Taking a stroll" refers to a leisurely, enjoyable walk.
- "Turning on a movie" means starting a movie to watch.
- "Picking up the house" means cleaning and putting everything back in order.
- "Running a load of laundry" involves washing and drying clothes.
- "Loading the dishwasher" means placing dirty dishes in the dishwasher.
- "Taking out the trash" involves moving the trash can to the curb for pickup.
Going to Bed
- "Headed to bed" means preparing to go to sleep.
- "Hitting the hay" is a more informal way of saying you're going to sleep.
- "Tuckered out" or "tired out" are ways of saying you're very tired.
- "Scrolling social media" means looking through apps on your phone.
- "Good night, sleep tight, don't let the bed bugs bite" is a common, playful way to say goodnight.
Phone Calls
- "Can you hear me okay" is a way to check if the other person can hear you clearly.
- "You're breaking up" means the other person's voice is cutting in and out.
- Saying "I have bad service" warns the other person about possible connection issues.
- "Can you repeat that" or "Sorry, I didn't catch that" are polite ways of asking the other person to repeat what they said.
Common Phone Call Openings
- "Hey, what's going on" is a casual way to start a phone call, asking what they're doing or how they're feeling.
- "Nothing much, what's up with you?" is a common response to "What's going on?".
- "I'm just calling to catch up" means you want to talk about each other's lives and how you've been.
- "Just calling to check in" means you want to make sure they're doing okay.
- Saying "I'm just calling to check up on you" means you want to see how they're doing, especially if they're unwell.
Starting Phone Conversations
- "What have you been up to lately?" is a friendly way to ask what they've been doing.
- "What's new?" is another casual way to start a conversation.
- "I've got a favor to ask" is a polite way to ask for help.
- "Shoot, I'm all ears" or "Totally" is a casual way to say "yes" and encourage the person to ask for their favor.
Making Plans
- "Hey, what are you up to?" or "What are you up to right now?" are informal ways to ask if they're busy.
- "What time did you have in mind?" is a way to ask what time works best for them.
- "Your place or mine?" is a casual way to ask where you should meet.
- "Could you text me the details?" means you want the person to text you the location, time, and other relevant information for the plan.
- "Do you want me to pick you up?" means asking if you should drive to their house to pick them up.
Making Plans: Additional Questions
- "How are you getting there?" is a way to ask how they plan to get to the meeting place.
- "Who's going to be there?" is a way to ask about who else will be at the meeting.
- "Have you eaten yet?" is a polite way to find out if the other person is hungry.
- "Let's grab a bite" is a casual way to suggest going out to eat.
Making Plans
- When asking someone about their preference for food, clarify that you are asking about the type of food, not the ethnicity of people.
- When offering a ride, use phrases like "Do you need a ride?" or "I'll drive."
- Three common phrases to end casual phone calls: "Well, it's a plan," "It's a date" (even if not a romantic date), and "I can't wait."
Scheduling Appointments
- Common phrases: "I need to make an appointment" or "I'm calling to schedule an appointment."
- When asked about availability, give a time range.
- "Penciling someone in" means fitting them into a tight schedule.
- Confirm information like date of birth and address.
- If the suggested time doesn't work, ask for other available times using phrases like "Do you have anything available the next week?" or "Do you have anything available in February?"
- Ask for clarification if unsure about the information.
Ending Phone Calls
- "Take care" is a polite and suitable salutation for both formal and informal conversations.
- "Have a good one" is commonly used in informal phone calls.
- "Have a good day" or "Have a great day" are suitable for formal conversations.
- "Have a blessed day" is popular in the Southern United States.
- "Thanks again" expresses gratitude and signifies a helpful conversation.
- "Thanks for calling" can be used to express gratitude to the caller or received from the caller.
- "Take it easy" is a friendly and casual way to say goodbye.
- "Talk to you soon" or "See you soon" are appropriate if you will see the person soon.
- "Keep in touch" suggests a desire to maintain contact.
Formal Communication
- Use "Good morning" and address people by name.
- In formal situations, use "It's a pleasure to meet you" instead of "nice to meet you."
- "Allow me to introduce myself" is a good icebreaker for introducing yourself to groups.
- "I appreciate your prompt response" expresses gratitude for quick responses.
- "Thank you for considering my proposal" expresses gratitude for reviewing your proposal or idea.
- "I appreciate your assistance" conveys appreciation for help.
- "May I have a moment of your time?" politely requests someone's time.
- "I would like to express my gratitude for your support" expresses appreciation for help and support from others.
- "I'm delighted to be working with such a talented team" is a formal compliment to a team.
- "Please let me know if there's anything I can assist you with" offers help and assistance.
Informal Communication
- Use "Hi, how's it going?" to greet someone in an informal setting.
- "Nice to see you again" is a welcoming greeting for someone you have met before.
- "Did you have a good weekend?" is a friendly question to ask about personal time.
- "You bring a lot to the team" is a compliment about a teammate's contributions.
- "You are so positive" is a positive comment about a person's attitude.
- "I enjoyed working on this project together/ working alongside you" expresses appreciation for working alongside someone else.
- "You are really moving the needle" compliments a person's progress and success.
- "I couldn't ask for a better teammate/coworker" is a very complimentary statement about a teammate or coworker.
- "What do you think about grabbing lunch sometime this week?" invites someone to have lunch together in a casual manner.
- "I'm looking forward to working with you more" expresses enthusiasm for working alongside someone else.
Navigating Meetings and Presentations
- "Good afternoon, thanks for being here" is a polite greeting for an afternoon presentation.
- "Before we begin, I'd like to acknowledge everyone's hard work" is a compliment to team members.
- "I'd like to add on to what [person's name] said earlier" is a phrase to add to a point raised in a meeting.
- "I completely agree with your perspective [person's name]" expresses agreement with someone's idea or point of view.
- "Thank you so much for bringing that to our attention [person's name]" expresses appreciation to someone for raising a point.
- "Can you elaborate on that point a bit more for me?" requests further explanation.
- "Can you show us how you reached your conclusion?" is a formal way to ask for an explanation.
- "I appreciate your input, let's explore that further" expresses appreciation for someone's opinion.
- "Let’s take a moment to review the key points" suggests a quick review of essential information covered.
- "If there are no further comments, let's move on to the next agenda item" keeps the meeting moving.
- "In conclusion, I believe that this approach will lead to success" is a formal way to summarize and conclude a presentation or meeting.
Formal Written Communication
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"Dear [person's name], I hope this email finds you well" is a polite greeting for a first email.
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"Thank you for your prompt response to my inquiry" shows appreciation for a quick response.
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"I wanted to follow up to our recent conversation" refers to a previous discussion.
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"Here's the document you requested, it is attached" or "Please see the attached" directs the recipient to the attached document.
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"I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the matter" expresses eagerness to hear another person's opinion.
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"Your attention to detail is much appreciated" is a compliment for carefulness.
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"May I have your attention please?" politely requests attention.
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"I apologize for any confusion, let me clarify" offers an explanation for any misunderstanding.
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"If you have any questions do not hesitate to ask" encourages the recipient to ask questions.### Common Workplace Phrases
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Best regards is a common closing for emails.
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I trust this message finds you well can be used to begin a message with a pleasantry.
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To sum up our conversation today can be used to briefly review what a conversation has covered.
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Let's reflect on what we've covered means to think about what has been discussed.
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I encourage everyone to share their thoughts before we conclude means to ask for opinions before ending a meeting or conversation.
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Thank you all for your active participation is a polite way to thank those who spoke and participated in a meeting.
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As we move forward, let's keep these key points in mind is a way to remind people about important information.
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I encourage you all to apply these concepts to your daily interactions advises people to use the information discussed.
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Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need any clarifications means that the speaker is available for questions and desires understanding.
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Keep up the fantastic work is a way to praise someone for a good job.
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I'm confident that our teamwork will lead to success is an optimistic statement about future success.
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I'm looking forward to our continued collaboration expresses enthusiasm for working together.
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Let's get you up to speed means to give someone missing information.
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We have something in the pipeline means that a project is in progress.
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We're going to pull the plug on it means to stop a project or activity.
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You'll get the hang of it means that someone will eventually learn to do something well.
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You get the picture means that someone understands something, often after a brief explanation.
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Brownie points is a phrase used for unofficial recognition of good work.
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To burn the midnight oil means to work late into the night.
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You're on the hook for something means that someone is responsible for something.
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You're off the hook for that one means that someone is no longer responsible for a mistake.
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Can you meet me halfway means to find a compromise or compromise a little.
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You were sold a bill of goods means that someone received a bad deal or product.
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Can you pencil me in means to ask someone if they can add a short meeting to their schedule.
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I need to crunch the numbers means that someone needs to do some calculations.
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Self starters are people who are motivated and do not need constant supervision.
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To move the goalpost means to change the requirements or expectations of a task.
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Cash cow refers to something that generates a lot of money.
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Is this up to date is used to ask if information is current.
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Do you want to take five means to suggest a short five-minute break.
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Let's drum up some business means to try to find new customers or sales.
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To pick someone's brain means to ask an knowledgeable person for advice or information.
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We are running short on time means that there isn't much time left.
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We are okay on time means that there is enough time to do what needs to be done.
Sample Workplace Conversations
- Take your time is a polite way to express patience while someone is doing a favor for you.
- Jump into means to start working on something without hesitation.
- Build on means to improve or add to something.
- Let's see what happens means to be patient and see what happens.
- It's a struggle means that something is difficult.
- Quality time means spending time with someone in a focused and meaningful way.
- To be honest is a formality that means the speaker is being honest and blunt.
- I didn't love it means that someone was not very impressed or satisfied.
- For the long haul means that someone is in it for the long term and is committed.
Common Phrases
- Don't be silly: A way to disagree with someone or give a compliment in a lighthearted way. It means the person is being foolish or their statement is incorrect.
- I can see that: A phrase expressing agreement. It means you understand or acknowledge what the person is saying.
- Nailed it: A phrase used to signify someone did a great job. It emphasizes success or achievement.
Expressions of Help and Support
- Thanks a million: Saying "thanks a million" signifies great appreciation for someone's help.
- You're more than welcome: Means you're happy to help someone and there's no problem doing so.
- You can handle it: This expresses confidence in someone's ability to do something on their own.
- I have faith in you: Expresses belief in someone's abilities and potential.
Other Phrases and Concepts
- Quitting time: The end of the workday, similar to "clocking out" or "getting off work."
- Chill out: Means to relax or calm down. Can be used as a command or a statement.
- That's what I need: Expresses the satisfaction of relaxing after a hard day. Can be used sarcastically if something is actually undesirable.
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