Hemza ZEGHAR
#OCE
Lesson #2 (Business news)
Metaphors in business news.
Metaphors are frequently used when journalists are writing about business. Notice how these
headlines use metaphors from the weather, religion, horse riding, the natural world and the
sea.
CLOUD ON THE
HORIZON FOR
Vvvvvv FIRM.
LOCAL
SMITH OPTS TO
BE BIG FISH IN
SMALL POND
ENIEM SADDLED
WITH DEBT
TIME TO STOP
WORSHIPPING AT
THE ALTAR OF
CONSUMERISM
BANK THROWS
SMALL COMPANIES
A LIFELINE
1- Cloud on the horizon = problem likely to happen in the future.
2- Worships at the altar of = being totally dedicated to (You can also say 'worship at
the shrine / temple of.)
3- Throws a lifeline = gives help to someone in a very difficult situation
4- Big fish in small pond = an important person in a not very important organisation
5- Saddled with debt = given a problem which will cause them a lot of difficulty
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Management news.
These Management news cuttings contain idioms used to talk about the
world of Management.
1- Following the company's disastrous performance, the CEO has announced that
heads will roll.
Heads will roll = [people will be severely punished, often by losing their jobs]
2- The managing director of Locost supermarkets has been put on gardening leave
since being offered a new job with rival company Costless.
Gardening leave = [told not to come into work during their notice period, although they
will receive payment for this period]
3- The EatWell restaurant chain takes luxury catering to the next level.
Takes to the next level = [makes something even more special or dramatic]
4- The company's controversial sales manager has been warned that he will lose his
job if he does not fall into line.
Fall into line = [start to follow the rules]
5- The director said that she is under no illusions about how difficult it will be for
the company to survive.
Is under no illusions = [understands the truth]
2
Financial news.
These financial news cuttings contain idioms used to talk about the world of
finance (Financial Sector and banking).
1- the bottom (drops / falls out ) of the market⚠
Example: The bottom has fallen out of the housing market.
Meaning : People have stopped buying something
2- A ballpark figure.�
Example: What's a ballpark figure for replacing the office furniture?
Meaning : an estimated price
3- shoot / soar sky high �
Example: Oil prices shot skyhigh last month.
Meaning : rose dramatically
4- take a nosedive �
The company's shares took a nosedive yesterday.
Meaning : fell suddenly and quickly
4- receive a windfall �
Investors will each receive a windfall of $10,000.
Meaning : get some unexpected money
5- rein in spending �
Example: Many firms try to rein in spending during times of financial difficulty.
Meaning : spend less
6- across the board 🔲🔳🔲🔳
Example: The impact of the reorganisation will be felt across the board.
Meaning : by people at every level
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Exercise :
Are the idioms in these sentences used correctly? If not, correct them.
1- The speaker said he was concerned about the way in which young people
queue at the altar of instant gratification.
2- If people are given gardening leave, they are not allowed to come into
work during their notice period.
3- Receiving a sizeable winddrop from one of our investments allowed us to
extend our premises.
4- Changes in the company's structure will take place across the boards.
5- Jackson was underneath no illusions about how long it would take his
business to get established.
6- Unfortunately, our profits took a nosedive last month.
7- It's time we considered how we can take our business to the next step.
8- The senior staff all went into line with the new CEO's demands.
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