ESL Podcast 828 - Important Business Contacts
industry - all the businesses that work in a particular field; businesses that are involved in a similar type of work, delivering similar products and services
How has the growing popularity of e-books changed the publishing industry?
to talk up - to say good things about someone or something, increasing other's interest in it and/or improving others' opinion of it
The university's recruiters are talking up their programs to encourage more people to apply for admission.
on top of (something) - actively doing something and in control, not needing help from others and not needing any reminders
Sheila is on top of the preparations for the conference.
well connected - having good relationships with powerful, important, and influential people
Karina wants an internship in Hollywood so that she can become well connected with actors and film producers.
to put in a few calls - to make some phone calls, especially to explore a topic or get ideas from other people
Nick put in a few calls to see if he could find anyone who might be interested in the job.
mover and shaker - someone who is influential, powerful, and able to make important decisions, and whom other people admire and want to follow; a leader
There will be a lot of movers and shakers at this party, so it's important to make a good impression.
vast - extensive; large; involving many items or a large collection
The library has a vast collection of books about architecture.
network - a group of people or things that are connected to each other and work together; the people with whom one has professional relationships
Studying at a good business school can be a great way to build your professional network.
contact - a person with whom one has a professional relationship and can call for advice or assistance
Do you have any contacts who work in human resources at Acme Corporation?
to name drop - to mention the names of important and powerful people in a conversation, usually because one wants to impress the other person and seem more important and influential than one actually is
Edgar loves to name drop, but I don't think he knows even half of the people he mentions.
tight - having a close relationship with someone; close
Shanaya is really tight with her older brother, but she doesn't have a good relationship with her sisters.
to go way back - to have a long history with someone; to have had a relationship with someone for a long period of time
Harvey and Viktor go way back. They first met in elementary school, when they were just six years old.
heavy hitter - a person who is powerful and influential and can make important decisions
If you continue to do your job this well, you'll become a heavy hitter in the industry within just a few years.
you've said it - a phrase used to show agreement with what another person says; exactly; precisely
A: This is a delicious meal! B: You've said it!
to owe (someone) one - to owe someone a favor; to need to do something nice for someone because he or she has done something nice for you in the past
Thanks for helping me move. I owe you one.
to bend over backwards - to make an extreme effort to do something for another person, exceeding expectations; to do more than what is expected, especially when it is difficult, uncomfortable, or time-consuming
Ulysses bent over backwards to help us prepare for the party, so we should at least thank him with a nice card.
to get the word out - to inform people about something; to make sure people know about something; to raise awareness of something
They printed a lot of brochures and bought some newspaper ads to get the word out about their event.
any day now - soon, but without knowing exactly when
Go outside and enjoy the sunshine! It will start raining again any day now.