Episode 33
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I'm Georgiana, founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help YOU to speak English fluently and confidently.
In today's episode:
I'll talk about the most common business expressions.
Later, you'll practice grammar with a point of view story.
Awesome! Let's get started!
Look up to someone
When you look up to someone, you view them with respect and admiration.
Example:
"Tom truly looks up to his father, and he wants to become a policeman, just like his dad."
Show the ropes
This expression refers to a sailor learning the different ropes for the sails of a ship. When you show the ropes to someone, you explain to them how to do a particular task correctly:
Example: "It'll take me a couple of weeks to show you the ropes, but, after that, you'll be entirely prepared for the task."
Day one
We usually use the expression day one to talk about something that happens from the very beginning of an activity or a process.
Examples:
"I'm sorry, but your project was meant to fail from day one!"
"This procedure has never worked from day one."
Smooth sailing or Plain sailing
The idiomatic expression smooth sailing means easy, trouble-free progress with an activity or a plan. Smooth sailing is a maritime phrase that has the literal meaning of "sailing that is easy and uncomplicated".
The term "smooth" here describes calm waters, with no large or rough waves.
Example: "We had a hard time setting up the new system, but it'll be smooth sailing from here on."
Burn the midnight oil
The expression refers to the ancient practice of using an oil lamp, and it means staying up late working on a project or task.
Example: "Jason has been burning the midnight oil trying to finish this report, so he must be exhausted."
Having too many irons in the fire
To have "too many irons in the fire" is to be involved in too many activities.
The term comes from blacksmiths putting bars of iron in the fire to get them hot enough to work with it. If they have too many irons to keep track of, it could lead to catastrophe.
Example: "Ann quit her dancing lessons; she felt she already had too many irons in the fire."
The big picture
This expression usually suggests that one shouldn't focus only on small details. One should get a complete understanding or view of something. Example: "At work, I try to concentrate on the big picture and not be distracted by details."
To keep one's eye on the ball
We say that someone's keeping their eye on the ball when they understand the situation and react quickly.
This phrase started in sports, specifically in ball games where players were asked to keep their "eyes on the ball".
Examples:
"I couldn't sleep well last night; I'm not on the ball today."
"She has done a great job. She was really on the ball."
Spread oneself too thin
To spread oneself too thin means to try to do too many things at the same time, so that you can't give enough time or attention to any of them.
Before giving you an example, I'll try to explain the origin of the expression.
I love butter, and I add plenty of it on your toast every morning. But today I've spread a very thin layer. It's because I've been trying to perform too many things at the same time. I'm in a hurry, and I'm doing different things at the same time, drinking coffee, speaking over the phone… That's why I'm spreading a very thin layer of butter on your toast. I'm distracted, and I'm not doing anything well.
Example: "Last month, James tried to study English for one hour every day, go to the gym every two days, and work extra hours. He quickly realized that he was spreading himself too thin."
I hope you're enjoying yourself. Today's lesson is quite interesting. Don't you think so?
Want more speaking practice? Continue with a complete audio course.
GRAMMAR MADE EASY
POV Story: Grammar in Context
Read the same story in two different points of view and notice how the grammar changes naturally.
First Person · Present Tense
I'm Steven, and I'm a successful businessman. Many professionals look up to me, and I'm always looking forward to showing them the ropes.
But my career isn't always smooth sailing. I believe in hard work, and I burn the midnight oil.
I also know how to spot the right opportunities. That's why I never like having too many irons in the fire. I'm perfectly aware that too many activities or undertakings at once could distract me from identifying the golden opportunities.
I think that the most vital ability of any successful entrepreneur is to see the big picture. As a businessman, I know how to take advantage of an opportunity. But also, I'm capable of keeping my eye on the ball. I'm consistent, but I don't spread myself too thin.
Third Person · Past Tense
Steven was a very successful businessman, and many professionals looked up to him. He was always looking forward to showing them the ropes. However, he knew from day one that his career wouldn't be smooth sailing.
He believed in hard work, and he burned the midnight oil whenever he considered it was necessary.
Steven also knew how to spot the right opportunities. That's why he never liked having too many irons in the fire. He was perfectly aware that too many activities or undertakings at once could distract him from identifying the golden opportunities.
He thought that the most vital ability of any successful entrepreneur was the ability to see the big picture. As a businessman, he knew how to take advantage of an opportunity. But also, Steven was capable of keeping his eye on the ball.
He was consistent, but he didn't spread himself too thin.
Apparently, Steven really knew his ropes very well, and he inspired many other entrepreneurs.
Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode.
Review
Vocabulary
Review the most useful words and expressions before listening again.
look up to
respect and admire someone.
burn the midnight oil
work late into the night.
show the ropes
explain how a job or task is done.
too many irons in the fire
too many activities at the same time.
from day one
from the very beginning.
the big picture
the complete situation rather than small details.
smooth sailing
easy progress without serious problems.
spread yourself too thin
try to do so much that nothing gets enough attention.
Want more speaking practice? Continue with a complete audio course.
Hi Georgia I am from Africa Ethiopia Addis Ababa .I want to get at toastmasterclub in our city ,Their is no this club at our country.