Lesson 30 IDIOMS?英文釋義

• nitty-gritty:?the details
• EXAMPLE: I don't need to know the?nitty-gritty?of what happened during your meeting with the client. Just tell me the main points.
• NOTE: The exact origins of this are unknown. This expression belongs to a class of fun expressions with sounds that repeat themselves. Other such expressions include: wishy-washy (see Lesson 8), itsy-bitsy (very small), fuddy-duddy (a boring, old-fashioned person), and mish-mash (a strange combination of things).
• the big picture:?a summary; an overview; the most important points
• EXAMPLE: Let me start off this presentation by giving you?the big picture?of what's happening now in our industry.
• (to) weigh another offer:?to consider another offer, usually a job offer
• EXAMPLE: Brian told Pfizer he was?weighing another offer?and that he would give them an answer next week.
• Is there any room to negotiate?:?Is it possible to negotiate? Are you flexible about the offer?
• EXAMPLE: Your offer is a little lower than I had hoped for.?Is there any room to negotiate?
• (to) have in mind:?to be thinking of
• EXAMPLE: Kyle said he wanted to go somewhere exotic for this year's company offsite. Do you know where he?had in mind?
• out of one's range:?more than one wants to pay
• EXAMPLE: PlastiCase Industries tried to sell us the cases for five dollars each, but we told them that was?out of our range.
• (to) split the difference:?to accept a figure halfway in between; to compromise
• EXAMPLE: You're asking for $500 for this used office chair, but we only budgeted $300 for it. Let's?split the difference?and say $400.
• (to) sleep on it:?to think about a decision overnight; to take a day to decide on something
• EXAMPLE: Thanks for your offer, but I'm not sure I want to move from the marketing department to the sales department. Let me?sleep on it.
• (to) touch base with:?to get in contact with; to make brief contact with
• EXAMPLE: "Hi, it's Andy calling from City Style magazine. I'm just?touching base with?you to see if you want to buy an ad."
• first thing in the morning:?early in the morning
• EXAMPLE: If the report isn't ready by the time you leave this evening, please have it on my desk?first thing in the morning.
• (to) get the ball rolling:?to get started
• EXAMPLE: If the toy company wants to have their new line of mini-robots out by the holiday season, they'd better?get the ball rolling?now.
• (to) review an offer:?to think about an offer; to consider an offer
• EXAMPLE: After?reviewing your offer?carefully, I've decided to take a job with another company.
• (to) stand one's ground:?to maintain and defend one's position; to refuse to give up one's position
• EXAMPLE: Earthy Foods wanted to open a large grocery store in the historic downtown area, but the small town?stood its ground?and refused to let them build there.
• (to) drive a hard bargain:?to be tough in negotiating an agreement; to negotiate something in one's favor
• EXAMPLE: We don't usually offer such a big discount on our products, but you?drove a hard bargain.