ESL Podcast 244 - Critiquing Someone's Work
to look over - to quickly review something; to quickly read something to give one's opinion about it
Do you think you'll have time this afternoon to look over this report before I give it to the company president tomorrow morning?
to give (someone) (one's) two cents - to let someone know what one thinks about something
Nicole gave me her two cents about my ideas, but I just don't agree with her.
shoot - go ahead; continue; a word used to let someone know that one wants the other person to say or do something
Anis, I'd like to hear your thoughts about this project. Shoot.
to envision - to imagine; to have an idea about how something will be before it is made or happens
When she planned their vacation, she had envisioned a week of resting on the beach, but her husband wanted to go to a different museum everyday.
charge - responsibility for some work or project; control over a project
Why did Zayed give Bill charge of the new account? Everyone thought Clarrisa would lead the project.
to not be crazy about (something) - to not like something; to not be pleased with something
Rachelle wasn't crazy about the idea of going to Florida for Christmas, but her husband and children really wanted to go.
off the mark - wrong; incorrect; not matching what is needed or expected
Your comments to Anita about her behavior at the ceremony were really off the mark. I don't think she behaved inappropriately at all.
to come up with something - to make something; to create something; to produce something; to think of something
Yung came up with a great way to increase the company's sales.
out in left field - not rational or logical; crazy; not useful or effective
When he was younger, everyone said that his business ideas were out in left field, but today he's a millionaire!
to need work - to need improvement; to not be finished or completed
The story is interesting, but the ending still needs some work.
Let's just say that... - An expression meaning that the words that follow are an understatement (the feelings are stronger than the words)
Do I want to make more money? Let's just say that I wouldn't say "no" if the company offered it to me.
room for improvement - not perfect; can be improved
Even though everyone said that her paintings were beautiful, the artist still saw room for improvement.
comment - something that is said or written to give one's opinion about something
Don't you know that you should never make a comment about a woman's weight or age?
to hold off - to wait to do something later; to delay something
I know we had planned to study for the exam tonight, but can we hold off until tomorrow? I'm really tired.
feedback - one's opinion about whether something is good or bad and how it can be improved
Receiving negative feedback is difficult, but it's usually helpful.
to take the reins - to lead something; to be in control of something
When Danitsa got sick, her co-worker had to take the reins on all her projects.
big deal - something that is very important
Graduating from a university with honors is a big deal. You must be so proud of your granddaughter!