Business Idioms Exercise 4 PDF

**Business Idioms Exercise 4** **1. Are the following expressions positive (e.g. a rise) or negative (e.g. a drop)?** 1. It won't make a huge profit but it should help us **keep our heads above water**. ***POS*** 2. The market price of coffee has **rocketed** since the storms in Brazil....

**Business Idioms Exercise 4** **1. Are the following expressions positive (e.g. a rise) or negative (e.g. a drop)?** 1. It won't make a huge profit but it should help us **keep our heads above water**. ***POS*** 2. The market price of coffee has **rocketed** since the storms in Brazil. ***POS*** 3. Credit for housing has **dried up** recently. ***NEG*** 4. **The sky's the limit** with the price of this stock. ***POS*** 5. The level of the dollar is widely tipped to **bounce back** by the end of the year. ***POS*** 6. Freeing up the money supply could ensure **a safe landing** for the Thai economy. ***POS*** 7. Most analysts are predicting some **turbulence** in the weeks ahead due to uncertainty in consumer demand. ***NEG*** 8. The initial demand was low but we think it will really **take off** in the near future. ***POS*** 9. Everyone predicted a steady year for technology stocks but instead they **plunged** as soon as the markets reopened after the New Year holidays. ***NEG*** 10. There has been **a flood** of new engineering graduates in the last two years. ***POS*** 11. The viral marketing campaign in the weeks preceding the launch ensured that sales **got off to a flying start**. ***POS*** 12. As the central bank brings down the base interest rate over the next quarter property prices should **soar**. ***POS*** 13. Bonuses in the financial sector are **buoyant** this year, so tips in London bars and restaurants are also substantially up. ***POS*** 14. Dividends in the biotechnology sector have **taken a nosedive**. ***NEG*** **2. Divide the expressions above into three categories depending on what topic area they come from.** (you only need to use 3 categories) **Which of the expressions above are connected to:** War and combat: Sport: 5 Flying: 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 12 Water: 1, 3, 9, 10, 13, 14 **3. Put the words and expressions above into sentences with their original meanings (you might need to change the tense you use):** 1. He caught the ball when it **bounced back** from the backboard and managed to get it into the basket at his second attempt. 2. "We are expecting some **turbulence** ahead, so please return to your seats and fasten your seatbelts" 3. The cold water took his breath away when he **plunged** into the lake. 4. Drifting slowly down to earth on a parachute was pretty exciting, but **soaring** silently above the clouds in a glider plane was something else! 5. Despite losing one engine and one wheel, the captain somehow managed to ensure **a safe landing.** 6. "Drinks will be served shortly after **taking off.** 7. We didn't trust the villagers' raft when we saw it, but banana tree trunks are surprisingly **buoyant.** 8. The **flood** victims were rescued by helicopter from the rooftop and sheltered in the local stadium until the river level returned to normal. **4. Match the business sentences to their original meanings. What do the sentences mean in a business context?** **Business Idioms about Sports** Consumer spending is **in the doldrums** and needs some stimulation from government to **give it a kick- start**. *This originally means a part of the sea where there is no wind.* To be in the doldrums: to be unsuccessful or showing no activity or development. *This idiom is derived from the old-fashioned way of starting up a motorbike.* To give a kick-start: to make something start to happen. It's **a long shot**, but how about seeing if the New York Times will write a story on our new product? *This expression comes from trying to hit a target with an arrow from a great distance.* A long shot: something you try although it is unlikely to be successful. That market is still a bit immature and I think we **jumped the gun** a bit by buying into it back in the 90's *This is based on the time when sprinters start running before they get the signal.* To jump the gun: to do something too soon, especially without thinking carefully about it. I've given you the best offer and now **the ball is in your court.** *Taken from tennis, this means that play is on your side of the net and so it is time for you to hit.* The ball is in your court: you have to do something before any progress can be made in a situation. **Business Idioms about Water** Mitsubishi group are going to have to **bail out** their motoring division again. *The non-business meaning of this is getting water out of the bottom of a boat with a bucket in order to stop it sinking.* To bail out: to rescue someone out of trouble / from financial distress. Even if Ford's new SUV is a success, the money it makes will be **just a drop in the ocean**. *Like adding a tiny bit of water to a huge amount, this will not make much difference.* Just a drop in the ocean: a very small amount compared to the amount needed. I was absolutely certain that I had found a winning idea, but my boss **threw cold water on** it. *This comes from a rather severe method you can use to calm down over-excited cats and dogs.* To throw cold water on something: to be negative about someone's plans or ideas. **Business Idioms from War** After being beaten to the market by our competitors twice in the last 6 months, team leaders need to **rally the troops.** *This is when all the soldiers are running away and the officers manage to get the together again for another attack.* To rally the troops: to urge everyone to work harder.*\ *