Can I
pick your brains for a minute,
Trish? I want to make sure that we’re in agreement before we meet with the
supplier.
* pick one’s brains: to request one’s
mental assistance (for advice, information, problem solving, etc.)
ex>
Whenever I get stuck in a math problem, I pick my older brother’s brains.
Maybe,
maybe not. I've been getting calls on
and off from a salesman from this new paper company who is eager to break into the publishing market. I’ve
been telling him that we’re under a satisfactory contract, but he just sent me
a few samples and a price list.
* on and off: at various times; at an
uneven frequency
ex>
The two coworkers had an intense rivalry on and off for several years.
* break into: to gain access or entry
ex>
Moray tried for years to break into the pop music business.
ex>
Thieves evidently broke into a warehouse and stole some valuable metal
stock.
They’re
pretty impressive. Very impressive, in fact. I’m just wondering if we can play hardball a bit with our existing
supplier, knowing that we may have a plan B.
* play hardball: to be assertive in a
competitive situation
ex>
His overwhelming popularity allowed him to play hardball with his
employer.
Note>
This also means to act rough and ruthless, especially in politics or business.
ex>
So you wanna play hardball?
How
about this: if our current supplier’s offer is nothing to write
home about, why don’t we tell them we’d like to give the matter some
thought, then sit down with these new people and see what sort of commitment
they’d be willing to make.
* nothing to write home about: unexciting
=
nothing exciting; hardly anything special; just mediocre
ex>
The pay was nothing to write home about, but he took the job anyway.
댓글 없음:
댓글 쓰기