Lesson 03 IDIOMS?英文解釋

• (to) run some ideas by someone:?to discuss some new ideas
• EXAMPLE: Our R&D department has some ideas about how to make our products safer. They'd like to meet this afternoon to?run some ideas by us.
• NOTE: You will also hear the singular form: to run an idea by someone.
• (to) keep an open mind:?to be ready to accept new ideas and experiences
• EXAMPLE: Cathy's new boss starts next Monday. She's heard he's very difficult to work with, but she's trying to?keep an open mind.
• nothing is set in stone:?nothing is decided yet; things can still be changed
• EXAMPLE: If you don't like the new product design, we can still change it.?Nothing is set in stone?yet.
• (to) brainstorm:?to think up new ideas; to generate new ideas in a group
• EXAMPLE: When the company started losing market share, the president called a meeting to?brainstorm?ways to turn around the business.
• NOTE: There is also the expression "brainstorming session," in which a group gathers to come up with new ideas or to solve a problem.
• half-baked idea:?a stupid or impractical idea or suggestion
• EXAMPLE: I can't believe we paid that consulting company so much money. We wanted them to help us grow our business and all they did was give us a bunch of?half-baked ideas!
• tagline：a slogan; a phrase used to promote a product
• EXAMPLE: Meow Mix, a brand of cat food, has one of the best?taglines?in history: "Tastes so good, cats ask for it by name."
• (to) throw cold water over (an idea, a plan):?to present reasons why something will not work; to discourage
• EXAMPLE: Pat presented her boss with a plan to expand their business into China, but he?threw cold water over?her plan and told her to just focus on developing business in the United States.
• NOTE: You will also hear the variation: to throw cold water on.
• on the right track：proceeding in a good way; going in the right direction
• EXAMPLE: After years of struggling, apple Computer is now?on the right track?by focusing on innovative products like the iPod.
• (to) generate lots of buzz:?to cause many people to start talking about a product or service, usually in a positive way that increases sales
• EXAMPLE: Procter & Gamble?generated lots of buzz?for its new toothpaste by giving away free samples to people on the streets of New York City.
• NOTE: "Buzz" is a popular word for "attention."
• icing on the cake:an additional advantage; when one good thing happens, then another good thing happens along with it
• EXAMPLE: Alison won $2 million in a sexual harassment lawsuit against her employer. And here's the?icing on the cake: her company will have to pay all of her legal fees too!
• NOTE: Icing is the creamy glaze put on top of a cake to decorate it and make it sweeter. The cake is already good enough — putting icing on top is something extra which makes it even better.
• an arm and a leg:?a lot of money
• EXAMPLE: Jack always flies business class to Asia. The plane tickets cost?an arm and a leg!
• (to) plug (a product):?to promote a product; to talk positively about a product
• EXAMPLE: American Express often hires famous people?to plug their credit cards. No wonder people pay attention to their ads!
• (to) twist somebody's arm:?to convince somebody; to talk somebody into doing something
• EXAMPLE: Ben didn't want to go to the company Christmas party this year, but Amy?twisted his arm?and he ended up having fun.
• (to) run with an idea：?to proceed with an idea
• EXAMPLE: After much discussion, the language school decided to?run with the idea?of offering a free class to each potential client.
• (to) flesh out something:?to elaborate on something; to add more detail to a plan; to think in more detail about something
• EXAMPLE: I like your idea of moving our manufacturing facility to China, but your plan doesn't have any details. Please?flesh out?your plan and present it at our board meeting next month.
• (to) touch base with someone:?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."