ESL Podcast 784 - Socializing With Clients

promotion - a move from a lower-paying job with less power and fewer responsibilities into a higher-paying job with more power and responsibilities, usually because one has been performing one's job well over a long period of time

Everyone expected Jan to get the promotion to division manager, because he has been working as the assistant manager for years.

expense account - an amount of money a company uses to reimburse (replace money spent by) an employee for expenses related to his or her job

If we spend a few minutes talking about business, I can put our lunch on my expense account and we won't have to pay for it ourselves.

to wine and dine - to entertain someone with food and alcohol, usually at a nice restaurant

Considering how much they wined and dined us last week, they must really want us to accept their proposal.

client - customer; an individual, company, or organization that receives professional services, often many times, and has a strong business relationship

Most of his clients are in North America, but he has a few clients in Europe, too.

to win over - to persuade or convince; to make someone understand or agree with something

Do you really think a dozen roses will be enough to win her over and make her decide she wants to marry you?

slush fund - money spent freely, without a specific purpose and without clear records or justification, often used for questionable or even illegal expenses

The company maintains a slush fund for bribing dishonest politicians.

to network - to create and maintain professional relationships with individuals who may be able to help one in the future, especially to get a new job or to find a new client

Everyone says that the key to finding a good job is to network with people who are working in the same industry.

client relationship - the ongoing interactions between a company and an individual or organization that buys products or services from that company

We focus on building good client relationships that keep our clients coming back to us year after year.

blah-blah-blah - informal words used instead of providing a full description of something that is complex, lengthy, boring, or otherwise does not need to be repeated in full

Adam's parents are always telling him to do his homework, clean his room, blah-blah-blah.

to schmooze - to make small talk; to have informal conversations designed to make people feel comfortable, especially in a business setting

If you schmooze with the right people, I'm sure you'll end up with a job offer.

to be taken lightly - to be unimportant; to not receive serious consideration

The company promises to never take customers' complaints lightly, always investigating them fully.

charity event - a party or fundraiser used to bring many wealthy people together so that they donate a lot of money to a nonprofit organization

This dinner is a charity event. Tickets cost $450 each, and all the money is used to build schools in rural Kentucky.

to rub elbows - to spend time with someone and/or to work closely with someone, especially when that person is famous and/or powerful

As a costume designer, Harold gets to rub elbows with famous actors.

elite - a group of people considered the best or most important, usually because they have a lot of money, power, and influence

Only the elite can afford to shop in these designer shops and boutiques.

booze - alcohol; alcoholic beverages, especially liquor

When it comes to booze, scotch is his favorite, but he also likes vodka.

what more could I ask for - a phrase used to show that one has everything one wants and does not want or need any more

I have a beautiful wife, two healthy kids, a great home, and a good job. What more could I ask for?

a few too many - too many; more than one should have or do

In her job as a movie producer, Fatima has read a few too many bad scripts.

rubber chicken - unpleasant, tasteless food, especially when served at conferences or seminars

Let's skip the conference dinner. I know a great restaurant where the food is much better than the rubber chicken they'll serve here.