25. to be demoted
26. to be passed over for promotion
27. to be a high-flyer
28. dead-end job
29. to hit/reach a glass ceiling
Leaving the job
30. to dismiss/fire
31. to lay off
32. to make redundant
33. to offer early retirement
34. to sack/to give smb the sack
35. to terminate
Abbreviations
Learn the following abbreviations which are often used in job advertisements
1. According to time worked (pro rata)
2. Approximately (c.)
3. As soon as possible (asap)
4. Inclusive (inc.)
5. Negotiable (neg)
6. Per annum/yearly (p.a.)
7. Per week (p/w)
8. Reference number (ref. no)
9. Stamped addressed envelope (s.a.e.)
10. Thousand (k.)
Idioms
| 1.back-room boys
| people who do important work but have no contact with the public
|
| 2.beat the clock
| finish in time; finish before the deadline
|
| 3.Burn the candle at both ends
| working too hard, for too long, and on too many things
|
| 4.to be snowed under
| to be very busy
|
| 5.to get the axe/the boot/the pink slip
| get fired
|
| 6.climb the corporate ladder
| move up, get promoted in a company
|
| 7.down to the wire
| just before the deadline; right before time is up
|
| 8.golden handcuffs
| a large sum of money or a generous financial arrangement granted to an executive as an incentive to stay in their job, or to ensure long-term cooperation after their departure.
|
| 9.a golden handshake
| a generous sum of money given to a person when they leave a company or retire (sometimes given to encourage early retirement)
|
| 10.a golden parachute
| a clause in an executive's employment contract stating that the executive will receive certain large benefits if their employment is terminated
|
| 11.keep your eye on the prize
| stay focused on the goal
|
| 12.plum job
| a desirable position which is well-paid and considered relatively easy
|
| 13.pound the pavement
| someone who pounds the pavement walks the streets or goes from company to company, usually in search of employment.
|
| 14.put out to pasture
| to say that someone has been put out to pasture means that they have been forced to retire or give up their responsibilities.
|
| 15.start off on the right (wrong) foot
| make a good (bad) first impression
|
| 16.to sweat blood
| to work very hard
|
| 17.think outside of the box
| think creatively or differently than usual
|
| 18.work one’s fingers to the bone
| work very hard
|
| 19.walking papers
| If you are given your walking papers, your contract or a relationship has ended
|
| 20.worth one’s salt
| someone who deserves respect because they do their job well
|
