Business Jargon

不可不知的商用術語Understanding confusing business conversations 來學學商業界人士的英語會話方式by Simon Stopps

Have you ever attended a meeting only to leave wondering what it was about? If so, you may be a victim of business jargon.

Jargon-words used by a group of people that aren't generally understood-has both advantages and disadvantages. Many professionals use specialized terms that help them communicate specific ideas that are hard to describe in simple language.

Unfortunately, the use of jargon can result in confusion. This is especially true when speakers use terms that their listeners misunderstand or don't understand at all. These examples of commonly used business jargon may help you figure out what's going on. But use them carefully-don't leave your audience struggling to interpret what you are talking about.

Water under the bridge
This phrase refers to events of the past. Generally, the term suggests that the past should be forgotten and people should move forward. Last year's mistakes are water under the bridge.

Touch base
When people touch base, they get in contact with each other. The term is often used in reference to meetings. Let's touch base on Thursday afternoon.

Tee up
People use this term to describe making preparations for something. It is often used to describe preparing technical support for presentations. Can you tee up the DVD player while I get the projector working?

Take it to the next level
When you take something to the next level, you are improving or intensifying it. Let's take this project to the next level and improve our sales.

The ball is in your court
People say this when it is someone else's turn to do something or make a decision. It often suggests the speaker is waiting for someone else to act. I've done all I can. Now the ball is in Matthew's court.

Apples and oranges
This term is often used when arguing that two things are too different to be compared. Comparing the new arena to the new hospital is like comparing apples and oranges.

Strike while the iron is hot　（打鐵趁熱）
To strike while the iron is hot is to proceed while you have the chance. The term is often used to encourage people to take action quickly. If we want to make this sale, we need to strike while the iron is hot!.

Grammar Tips:
Have you ever attended a meeting only to leave wondering what it was about?
only to =however or but,
Have you ever attended a meeting but left wondering what it was about?
only to -(the fact is not you thought or expected)
Jessica thought she was late for the party only to discover that she was actually the first one to arrive.
Paulo's family moved to the city for better job opportunities only to find themselves in poverty.
Vocabulary Tips
jargon (n)- 黑話,術語,難懂的話,閑談 (vi)-說行話,閑談,胡講.
disadvantage-不利的條件,缺點. dis-有否定的意思, advantage-優點,優勢,有利的.
*The disadvantage of international travel is the extremely high cost.
*After weighing the advantages and disadvantages, we decided to move to the suburbs.
interpret-詮釋,解釋,或説明. 也指口頭翻譯
*Few people can accurately interpret confusing stock market figures.
*The non-native speaking audience member had to ask someone to interpret the speech for him.
reference- 涉及,有關, 與什麽有關 用"to", reference to..
*The CEO made no reference to the possible bank merger in the meeting.
in reference to -有關某個對象.
*What should we do in reference to Richard's tardiness? 關於..遲到的事我們應如何處理?
projector-投影機，放映機． pro-有＂向前＂的意思． jector-擲，抛．
*You need to focus the projector to make the images clearer.
slide projector-幻燈機
intensify (v)-加強，增強，使強化．
*Tension between the two parties has recently intensified due to the controversial proposal.　具爭議的提案，造成雙方緊綳的情緒
*The coach intensified the team's training by adding more time to their practices.　加強
proceeding-進行，開展　 pro-向前， ceeding-有＂走＂的意思．
*Preparations for the wedding banquet are proceeding very smoothly.進行的很順利
proceed to do something　進行某一件事．
*He put on his glasses and proceeded to read the novel.開始閲讀小説．

Chat Room
water under the bridge-the water is keep running under the bridge, refer to things is gone is gone, forget about it, don't be mention again.
in deep water-in the risk of drowning, refer to someone is in difficulty situation. 在深水中,陷入困境,有麻煩了.
keep your head above water-保持頭浮在水面上,以免滅頂.通常用指經濟相關的事意即不欠債,維持生計,避免挨餓,破產. someone lives paycheck by paycheck, he needs to be very careful on money spending to keep his head above water.
throw the baby out with the bathwater- baby is very precious, the bathwater is waste water, means people throw the good things along with the bad things out.
Don't throw the baby out with the bathwater.-不要把好東西和坏的一起扔了.
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field-大型戶外球場．
court-小型球場，牽涉到有王子的室内球場．
tennis court-網球場
volleyball court-排球場．
basketball court-藍球場
arena-羅馬競技場，今日的小型室内體育場．
ballpark-棒球場, diamond-内野的球場．shape like diamond.
stadium-戶外大型體育場．
hockey rink -曲棍球場．曲棍球用rink 溜冰場 來打．
bowling alley 保齡球場．lane-保齡球的球道．