Work: jobs and career A. Talking informally about your work or career
Well, to get ahead [1] in a job like mine you have to be prepared to take on [2] a lot of responsibility and work long hours.
When the boss first took me on [3] he filled me in [4] on what the job involved, but he didn’t tell me I would have to do so much traveling!
Well, I stood down [5] as Chairman in 1998, and Mary Wilmott took over [6]. As you all know, she has carried out [7] some important reforms in the company and has been very successful.
I’m 60 now, so I think it’s time for me to step down [8] and hand over [9] to a younger person.
1 be successful in your job
2 accept a particular job or responsibility
3 began to employ me
4 gave me the information I needed in order to do something
5 left an important job or official position so that someone else can do it instead
6 started doing a job or being responsible for something that someone else was doing or was responsible for before you
7 done or completed something, especially something important
8 leave your job, especially so that someone else can do it
9 give someone else responsibility or control
B. More work-related phrasal verbs
Ellen: Frances, do you think you could fix up a staff meeting for me? [provide or arrange something for someone]
Frances: Yes, I'll do that. When were you thinking of?
Ellen: Well, let's pencil it in for Friday morning and see whether everyone else is free then. [arrange for something to happen on a particular date, knowing the arrangement might be changed later]
Keith: Why are you back home already? Did you knock off early today? [informal: stop working, usually at the end of a day]
Bob: I wish I could say that. The truth is I've just been laid off. [lost your job because there is no work for you to do, from the verb lay off someone]
Keith: Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.
Veronica: Did you ever follow up that phone call you had with the oil company? [do something in order to make the effect of an earlier action or thing stronger or more certain]
Jim: No, I really should do something about it.
Mona: It's amazing how much we can get done when we all pull together, isn't it? [work as a group in order to achieve something]
Ricky: Yes, although sometimes it's also good if people just leave you to it. [informal: go away from someone so that they do something by themselves or so they can continue what they are doing]
Ellen: Frances, do you think you could fix up a staff meeting for me? [provide or arrange something for someone]
Frances: Yes, I'll do that. When were you thinking of?
Ellen: Well, let's pencil it in for Friday morning and see whether everyone else is free then. [arrange for something to happen on a particular date, knowing the arrangement might be changed later]
Keith: Why are you back home already? Did you knock off early today? [informal: stop working, usually at the end of a day]
Bob: I wish I could say that. The truth is I've just been laid off. [lost your job because there is no work for you to do, from the verb lay off someone]
Keith: Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.
Veronica: Did you ever follow up that phone call you had with the oil company? [do something in order to make the effect of an earlier action or thing stronger or more certain]
Jim: No, I really should do something about it.
Mona: It's amazing how much we can get done when we all pull together, isn't it? [work as a group in order to achieve something]
Ricky: Yes, although sometimes it's also good if people just leave you to it. [informal: go away from someone so that they do something by themselves or so they can continue what they are doing]
Work: being busyA. Being busy
Nick: I haven't seen you for ages. Have you been a bit tied up [1] at work?
Tim: Yes, I've been incredibly busy. I was away for a conference and the work just piled up [2] while I was away. I've been snowed under [3] ever since. Although I slave away [4] till seven at night and even work at weekends, I still can't seem to catch up [5] with everything!
Nick: Sorry, I asked!
1 been so busy that you are unable to see or speak to anyone else or go anywhere (informal)
2 became more and more (used of something unpleasant, e.g. work, bills or debts)
3 had so much work to do that I have problems dealing with it
4 work very hard with little or no rest
5 do something you did not have time to do earlier
B. Working hard
Ray: How are things going for you at work at the moment, Stella?
Stella: Well, we're branching out [1] into a new product line - children's clothes - so I'm pretty busy. At the moment I'm working on [2] some new designs for leisurewear. We're working towards [3] having a complete range for children of all ages. It's quite difficult but I'm sure I'll develop some good designs if I keep at [4] it.
Ray: Well, you always were good at sticking at [5] things.
Stella: Well, I'd certainly rather do a project myself than have to chase up [6] other people to make sure they're doing what they promised to do. But sometimes you have to do that just to keep things moving along [7].
Ray: Do you think you could squeeze in [8] lunch with me sometime?
Stella: Mm, possibly, but not till next week.
Ray: That's fine. But don't try to wriggle out of [9] it at the last minute!
1 starting to do something different from what you usually do
2 spending time working in order to produce something
3 trying hard to achieve
4 continue working bard at something difficult or something which takes a long time
5 continuing to work hard at something even though it is hard or takes a long time
6 ask people to do something that they said they would do but have not done yet
7 developing in a satisfactory way
8 manage to see someone or do something when you are very busy and do not have much time available
9 avoid doing something that other people think you should do, often in a dishonest way (informal)
Ray: How are things going for you at work at the moment, Stella?
Stella: Well, we're branching out [1] into a new product line - children's clothes - so I'm pretty busy. At the moment I'm working on [2] some new designs for leisurewear. We're working towards [3] having a complete range for children of all ages. It's quite difficult but I'm sure I'll develop some good designs if I keep at [4] it.
Ray: Well, you always were good at sticking at [5] things.
Stella: Well, I'd certainly rather do a project myself than have to chase up [6] other people to make sure they're doing what they promised to do. But sometimes you have to do that just to keep things moving along [7].
Ray: Do you think you could squeeze in [8] lunch with me sometime?
Stella: Mm, possibly, but not till next week.
Ray: That's fine. But don't try to wriggle out of [9] it at the last minute!
1 starting to do something different from what you usually do
2 spending time working in order to produce something
3 trying hard to achieve
4 continue working bard at something difficult or something which takes a long time
5 continuing to work hard at something even though it is hard or takes a long time
6 ask people to do something that they said they would do but have not done yet
7 developing in a satisfactory way
8 manage to see someone or do something when you are very busy and do not have much time available
9 avoid doing something that other people think you should do, often in a dishonest way (informal)
Money: salaries, bills, paymentsA. Formal and informal
Many phrasal verbs have more formal, non-phrasal equivalents.
take out sth or take sth out = withdraw - get money from a bank: I took €100 out at the ATM yesterday. You may not withdraw more than €500 in 24 hours.
cut back sth or cut sth back = reduce - decrease the amount of money that is being spent on something. The government is cutting back on the education budget. The education budget is to be reduced next year.
pay back sth/sb or pay sth/sb back = repay - pay someone the money that you owe them: Lend me ten pounds and I'll pay you back tomorrow. Poor countries find it very difficult to repay their debts.
come to sth = total – be a particular total when amounts or numbers are added together: The bill for the meal came to $86 all together. Healthcare expendinure totalled $120 billion last year.
B. Paying bills and debts
I won't pay off the mortgage on my house until 2024. [pay back all the money you owe]
My tax bill has arrived. I have to pay up by 30 December. [pay money that you owe, especially when you do not want to]
My kids ran up a phone bill of L400! [caused you to owe a large amount of money]
I know I already owe you €20. Can you lend me another 20 and I'll settle up with you when I get paid next week. [pay someone the money that you owe them]
I won't pay off the mortgage on my house until 2024. [pay back all the money you owe]
My tax bill has arrived. I have to pay up by 30 December. [pay money that you owe, especially when you do not want to]
My kids ran up a phone bill of L400! [caused you to owe a large amount of money]
I know I already owe you €20. Can you lend me another 20 and I'll settle up with you when I get paid next week. [pay someone the money that you owe them]
C. Other verbs connected with money
I’ve been offerd a chance to go to New Zeland next year. So I’ve startrd saving up [1] already. I’m trying to set aside [2] a fixed amount each month so that I’ll have enough.
It was a terrible holiday. Everything went wrong. And it cost us $900, but I guess we’ll have to just write that off [3]. We won’t get it back [4].
They were giving away [5] free tickets at the Concert Hall today and I got one. Then I was in a bookshop buying a magazine and I picked up [6] a book on Italian cookery at a knockdown [7] price. It had been reduced from $20 to $15.
I’ve been offerd a chance to go to New Zeland next year. So I’ve startrd saving up [1] already. I’m trying to set aside [2] a fixed amount each month so that I’ll have enough.
It was a terrible holiday. Everything went wrong. And it cost us $900, but I guess we’ll have to just write that off [3]. We won’t get it back [4].
They were giving away [5] free tickets at the Concert Hall today and I got one. Then I was in a bookshop buying a magazine and I picked up [6] a book on Italian cookery at a knockdown [7] price. It had been reduced from $20 to $15.
1 keeping money so that I can buy something with it in the future
2 use money for one purpose and no other purpose
3 accept that an amount of money has been lost
4 it will not be returned
5 giving something to somebody without asking for payment
6 bought something when you have gone to a place to do something else
7 (adjective) very cheap
2 use money for one purpose and no other purpose
3 accept that an amount of money has been lost
4 it will not be returned
5 giving something to somebody without asking for payment
6 bought something when you have gone to a place to do something else
7 (adjective) very cheap
Money: buying and sellingA. Shopping and buying goods
Tom: That leather bag's £120. Shall I see if he'll sell it cheaper?
Lily: Yes, why don't you try and beat him down to £100. [make someone reduce the price of something]
Jill: Did you manage to get that car you wanted for a lower price?
Sandy: Yes, the dealer knocked 10% off the price because I offered to pay cash. [reduced the price by a certain sum]
Nora: This is a nice old vase. Is it an antique?
Beryl: Yes it is, but I picked it up for €30. It was a real bargain. [bought it at a cheap price]
Fran: It would be nice to buy something for our teacher now that the course is ending.
Paco: Yes, we should club together and get her some flowers or a nice gift. [put our money together as a group]
Larry: I'm not going to buy stuff at those gift shops again. They really ripped me off last time. [informal: cheated me by making me pay too much]
Sue: Yes, a lot of those tourist shops are a real rip-off. You can get the same things in ordinary shops for half the price. [noun: from the verb rip off]
Martin: Shall we buy the TV set here? It's a big store.
Pilar: No, let's shop around a bit. They may be cheaper somewhere else. [look at different shops and compare prices]
Aaron: Mick is selling Madonna's autograph for $20. Should I buy it?
Ritchie: If I were you I'd snap it up. It could become very valuable in the future.[slightly informal: buy it quickly because the price is good]
Meg: The car failed its annual test yesterday. Two of the tyres are badly worn.
Simon: Oh no! Now we have to fork out for two new ones! [informal: pay for something, especially when you do not want to]
B. Other buying verbs
Learn these verbs in pairs to help you remember them.
We should stock up on fruit and vegetables and not buy so much junk food. [buy large quantities of]
We should never skimp on healthy foods. [spend too little money on or use too little of]
We splashed out [spent a lot of money on something we didn't really need] on lots of new furniture last month and ran up [caused ourselves to have to pay] a huge bill.
They're selling off printers at half price at the computer store. [selling to get rid of them]
Shall we go and look at them right away in case they sell out? [have none left]
BusinessA. Starting and doing business
Tim Benson started up [1] his own business in his first year at the university. He set up [2] a small company hiring out [3] bicycles to other students. He was very successful and claims that his profits ran into [4] thousands of euros a month, a lot of money for a student. As a spin-off [5] he used to sell cycling clothes and equipment to the students and that also was a good earner for him. ‘I was really happy with that set-up [6], says Tim, ‘as I loved cycling myself’.
1 created (a business or other organization)
2 started (a company or an organization)
3 allowing people to use for a short time in exchange for money
4 reached a particular level
5 (noun) extra business in some way related to an earlier successful business
6 (noun) business arrangement
2 started (a company or an organization)
3 allowing people to use for a short time in exchange for money
4 reached a particular level
5 (noun) extra business in some way related to an earlier successful business
6 (noun) business arrangement
B. Ups and downs in business
Read this conversation about Ken's business activities.
Bob: Doesn't Ken own his computer business any more?
Rita: No, he sold up [1] and used the money to buy a small chain of clothing outlets [2].
Bob: Really? Has he done well?
Rita: Yes. His turnover [3] was so big he managed to take over [4] a jewellery company that had been a success but was winding down [5] because of bad management. They were no longer able to pay for the upkeep [6] of the stores.
Bob: Wow! How much did he have to pay of his own money?
Rita: Well, he poured a lot of money into [7] it he puts it at [8] around a million - but he saved it from going under [9] and it's making a profit now. In fact he says the profit on wedding rings alone runs to [10] several millions. He says he’s glad he decided to risk the takeover [11].
Bob: So he's a rich man now then?
Rita: He's very rich, but you know something? He still drives around town in that old car of his!
1 sold a business (or house) in order to go and do something else (or live somewhere else)
2 (noun) shops
3 (noun) amount of money or business made by a company in a period of time
4 get control of a company by buying most of its shares
5 gradually reducing the amount of work being done until it closes completely
6 (noun) cost or process of keeping a building or something in good condition
7 provided a lot of money for something over a long period
8 roughly calculates at a particular amount
9 failing financially
10 reaches a particular amount, usually a large amount
11 (noun) act of gaining control of a company
Read this conversation about Ken's business activities.
Bob: Doesn't Ken own his computer business any more?
Rita: No, he sold up [1] and used the money to buy a small chain of clothing outlets [2].
Bob: Really? Has he done well?
Rita: Yes. His turnover [3] was so big he managed to take over [4] a jewellery company that had been a success but was winding down [5] because of bad management. They were no longer able to pay for the upkeep [6] of the stores.
Bob: Wow! How much did he have to pay of his own money?
Rita: Well, he poured a lot of money into [7] it he puts it at [8] around a million - but he saved it from going under [9] and it's making a profit now. In fact he says the profit on wedding rings alone runs to [10] several millions. He says he’s glad he decided to risk the takeover [11].
Bob: So he's a rich man now then?
Rita: He's very rich, but you know something? He still drives around town in that old car of his!
1 sold a business (or house) in order to go and do something else (or live somewhere else)
2 (noun) shops
3 (noun) amount of money or business made by a company in a period of time
4 get control of a company by buying most of its shares
5 gradually reducing the amount of work being done until it closes completely
6 (noun) cost or process of keeping a building or something in good condition
7 provided a lot of money for something over a long period
8 roughly calculates at a particular amount
9 failing financially
10 reaches a particular amount, usually a large amount
11 (noun) act of gaining control of a company
TASK: WRITE A LETTER TO YOUR FRIEND USING THE PHRASAL VERBS ABOVE.
8 comments:
Dear Jackie,
I’m so sorry for not replying your letter promptly. How are you doing? What’s up?
I’m so tied up at work! The thing is, I got ahead with carrying out two major tasks and I was promoted! Of course, I had to take on more responsibility and catch up with some new data. The previous manager stepped down and is now filling me in. And I’m handing over my files to a new-appointed person at the same time. I’m fixing up meetings to get acquainted with all our counterparts. That’s why I’m slaving away from dawn to sunset; I’m working on developing new contacts, working towards doubling last year’s turnovers.
Besides, it’s the end of the month…bills, bills, bills! I cut back all of my expenses, but it’s useless! I had saved up some money and stored in a bank, which went bankrupt! Guess, I’ll just write it off.
Last Sunday I went shopping to find a gift for a friend. It’s a rip-off! I spent hours shopping-around, trying to beat down the prices. And then I saw such a cute dress! The one to die for! It was at a knockdown price, so I snapped it up! After all, I can simply club up with others to buy the gift.
Oh, by the way, Jim is starting up his own business. The company he worked for was winding down, so he sold off his shares and is now scheduling some set-ups with potential partners.
I was thinking if we could squeeze in a lunch together some time this week? Let’s pencil it in, say, Wednesday?
Best regards,
Marina.
Dear Susan,
Congratulations on your new job! I am very glad that you get ahead in it. Working in the central bank presupposes taking a lot of responsibilities, but I am sure, having taken you on, your boss will be very pleased. And what about their previous chief accountant? Was he laid off? Be that as it may, you took over a business. But, how did you bring yourself to stand down as a product marketing manager in Procter and Gamble Co? To whom did you hand over? You slaved away there, your team pulled together, you planned to branch out into selling perfumery. Don’t you regret? However, I know you want to work towards advancement in the bank and I am sure you’ll stick at it.
Certainly, I know beyond doubt that you are snowed under but I want you to give me a piece of good advice how to start up a spin-off. I tried to phone you, but your secretary didn’t put me through to you. I ran up a phone bill of 1000€! But I guess I’ll have to just write that off. Unfortunately, the economic crisis gains the upper hand. I hope you’ll help me to solve my business problems. What do you think about hiring out musical instruments? I am prepared for anything to increase my turnover. I opened a new outlet. Shelves and shopwindows were so expensive, and I tried to knock 10% off the price, but wholesalers suggested me to club together with my friends. It is a real rip-off. Of course, I forked out for five new shopwindows. However, things are not improving. I have to sell off unmarketable goods at a knockdown price.
Please, help me to save my business from going under.
Love,
Katy
Dear James,
I was so happy to receive your letter! It seems to me that we haven’t seen each other for ages, but in reality for two weeks only. I miss you so much, can’t live without you, everything is so bad without you…I can’t get ahead in my job anymore, can’t fix up anything, my boss isn’t satisfied with my work, and it seems to me that it would be better for me to step down and hand over to somebody who can slave away and do everything like our boss wants. I’m really tired of it. I really tried to stick at my work but I can’t. Oh, if only you were here, you would help me or just give me advice…. So, I decided to give up. I feel that soon I may be just laid off. So, I wish to leave now, not waiting when they will ask me to do it. But on the other hand, where will I take money? I have already taken out big sum at my bank and borrowed from my friends, I don’t know when I will be able to pay back. Ah what a fool I was when my mum advised me to save up and I didn’t want to listen to her…And it’s so difficult now to find anything at a knockdown price…I feel terrible… There’s nobody I can ask for help…John has set up a new business, he is so good at it, but we had quarreled a week ago, I can’t just go and ask him for anything… Oh, James, please, come back as soon as possible!
Miss you, love you, wait for you,
Yours, Linda
Dear Lily,
Thank you for you letter. I’m very glad your husband has started up his own business.
I’ve got a lot of news. First of all, bad news. I was laid off my old job. That was horrible. Our company had many debtors. They didn’t pay back. That’s why they cut my salary back at first and then when they were no longer able to pay for the upkeep, they laid me off. I was really upset.
But then Fortune smiled on me and I was taken on by a big company which produces computer programs. I like my new job very much! I know I go ahead in it. But it is very hard. Now our company is branching out into a new product line – computer games for very small children of about 1 or 2 years old. At the moment I’m working on a game which helps parents to teach their children to recognize colours. We are working towards having a complete range of computer games for all children. It’s quite difficult but I like it so I try not to notice the difficulties of my job. This week I was incredibly busy. I was really tied up at work. So today I decided to knock off earlier and have a rest.
I went to a big store and I picked up a wonderful candlestick at a knockdown price. I think it will be a good present for my mum’s birthday.
By the way how is your health? I think it will be good for you to stock up on fruit and vegetables instead of buying much junk food. We should never skimp on healthy foods. Take my advice.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Love,
Ann
Dear Beth,
It was so nice to hear from you. However, your news upset me so much. I am awfully sorry that you’ve been laid off. It was unfair of them to do so after you’d been slaving away for them for all those months!
Meanwhile I can’t boast with any achievements either. I am tied up at work and still can hardly make ends meet. It seems that they’re cutting my salary back! Probably it’s because supermarkets have become a real rip-off: every day prices grow by leaps and bounds! And besides, John had been pouring a lot of money into the auto repair shop he owned with his friend William. Although their turnover was stable, but they couldn’t pay off the loan because of the high interest and had to wind down. We are out of business but there’s still something to pay up! Now John and William are selling off equipment and I hope they’ll at least recover their expenses.
Last week I met Stella and we shopped around a bit. She found a pair of fancy shoes for $40 and managed to beat the seller down to $25! Stella has a dealer's eye and I think we should club together and set up a small business. You can also join in if you like. What do you think?
Looking forward to your quick response!
Love,
Mary.
Dear Michelle,
I’m sorry for not answering you for a long while, I’ve been so tied up at work, you simply can’t imagine! It’s a nightmare! The thing is my colleague fell ill and since then I was snowed under. Didn’t have a spare minute, was slaving away till night! But now he is back to work and we seem to be catching up with things.
I’m still flat-hunting, cannot find anything worthy. Have recently found a terrific apartment in a classy block, but, blimey, it’s a real rip-off! Sometimes I wonder why I’m not a Rockefeller… There was even no use in trying to beat the price down, they wouldn’t knock off a penny! But at the same time I don’t want to pick up some shabby and cheap lodging that will make me regret my choice. So, I’m in process…
Did you hear about Max? He is planning to branch out into magazine publishing and is now working towards creating a magazine about health, sport and fitness, something of the kind, you know. He wants it to be a spin-off to book publishing, profits from which have already run into a fortune after he started to buy small chains of bookshops. With his turnover he managed to afford taking over a magazine publishing house and now he is up to some really big project. Experts say that the competition is actually quite tough but considering how Max can stick at things I have no doubt he’ll move it along.
I know you’re coming soon to London, so hope to see you! Let’s all get together and hang out, shall we? After all, haven’t seen each other for a long time.
Yours,
Chris
Hello, Steven. Thank you for your letter, man! If you didn’t write, I wouldn’t remember about my friends. I’m so sorry for my long absence – tried to start up. I set up a small company selling books. At first I ran into thousands of dollars, but half a year later my company became to wind down. I splashed out my money on new books, I knocked 50% off the price, but nothing helped. People didn’t need my books, they found all the novelties in the internet, and a book is no longer the best variant of a gift. I think it is a tendency, so I didn’t get upset very much. Then I met my former boss and we decided to club together. Our sums came to big money, so we opened a company selling computers. That’s why I hope I’ll catch up my business ambitions.
How are you? Do you still work in the office slaving away? I remember that you wanted to branch out some set-up or take over another one…
I’m waiting for your reply, Steve. Me.
Dear Lizzie,
It was so nice of you to drop me a line. I’m so sorry I didn’t answer earlier – I was out of the country for several weeks. And it wasn’t a vacation at all. Our studio was invited to Tunisia to work on some shoots for our autumn issue. I thought Sarah was going to carry everything out, you know, to arrange the tickets and hotels, fix all the meetings, organize the main show. But at the last minute she stepped down and handed it over to me. So I was snowed under (or better to say sanded under, because sand was everywhere, and it gave us a hard time) till the very end. Honestly, sometimes I thought I was the only one who was trying to stick at things and keep them moving along. But it’s over, and now I’m enjoying my deserved holiday, I want to catch up with everything I’ve missed while I was tied up at work.
Tony finally got his promotion! He’s a chief financial officer now. I’m so proud of him! Now we’re thinking about moving into a bigger house. But we can’t find anything to our taste, to Tony’s financial taste, to tell the truth. He says every house I suggest is a rip-off. And that’s what bothers me, Lizzie. Tony has become somewhat stingy. A couple of days ago I found a wonderful chest of drawers in one of the vintage shops on the main street. The dealer knocked 30% off the price, Rachel said I had to snap it up, but Tony refused. So I have started saving up already.
But that’s enough about me! How are you doing? How’s Greg, Jenny? I really wish to come and see you all! Maybe you could squeeze in a family dinner at the end of this week?
Say hello to my little niece Jenny!
Yours,
Jessica.
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