Working Girl Vocabulary
to make a wish (1)
emerging markets (1)
surprise party (1)
to cut out (2,3)
get him to hold (1)
Hold on a second, all right?
They went public at 23 with one product (1)
to turn [someone] down (1)
you’re up against
arbitrage (1)
another setup (1)
looking for hungry (2,3)
to go for (2,3)
to go through [someone] (1)
we’re gonna party (2,3)
is a sleazoid [sleazy] pimp with a tiny little dick. (2,4)
Take it easy! (2)
to sing [someone’s] praises (1)
mergers and acquisitions (1)
Four strikes, you’re out! (2)
there’s a first time for everything (1)
underwater position (1,2)
to make a promise one can’t keep (1)
Dress shabbily, they notice the dress. Dress impeccably they notice the woman. (1)
department’s profile (1,2)
a cocktail thing (2,3)
dim sun
You never know where the big ideas could come from. (2)
Contributionwise (2,3)
Keep it up!
Never burn bridges!
Today’s junior prick, tomorrow’s senior partner. (2,4)
to make a round (2)
shoot! (2,3)
Tom, Dick and Harry
to get one’s feet wet (2)
I’ll have a look-see. (2,3)
a two-way street (2)
mentor
Let’s step on it! (2,3)
He’s it. (2)
to pop the question (2,3)
to be receptive to an offer (1)
to clear the month of June (1)
not a variable (1)
You make it happen. (2)
to be dead set (2)
to be out in left field (2,3)
you just keep plugging (2)
to take over (1)
Andy Warhol
hard copy
Come on, Tess.
I have an opening at __ o’clock (1)
I’ll messenger an outline over to you right now.
a closing party
to throw a party (2)
to interact with people (1)
then you him ‘em with your smarts (2)
I can’t breath so good (2,3)
anything soothing (2)
in the convenient economy size (2)
chills you ever so slightly (2,3)
Go for the jugular. (2,3)
Got ‘em by the throat. (2,3)
Grab ‘em by the balls. (2,4)
Leave our hearts at home. (2,3)
Cut ‘em off at the knees. (2,3)
They’ll be eating out of our hands. (2,3)
to get a head start (1)
It’s open bar. (1)
No frog water. (2,3)
Power to the people. (2,3)
to little people (2)
Boy, oh boy, oh boy...
bad girls (2,3)
ace (2)
Damn straight. (2,4)
A head for business and a bod for sin. (2,3)
Some of the people I’ve had over have remarked on it. (1)
Would you like a nightcap? (1)
herb tea
It always sounds good to me ... when I’m in your shape. (1)
Don’t fuck up. (2,4)
May I take your coat? Yes, please. (1)
to get right down to it (2,3)
I lost my briefcase.
one fell swoop
A radio station is small potatoes. (2,3)
surplus cash (1)
stock repurchase (1)
Trask is protected. Their stock goes up, and everybody is happy. (2)
Bouncer. (2)
to be subtle
Live and learn. (2)
feel sorry for you
Do me a favor. (1)
Let’s give her a shot. (2,3)
Coffee, tea, me? (2,3)
Isn’t she a riot? (2,3)
lust and tequila
The earth moved, the angels wept.
And that was it? (2)
I might have peeked. (2)
to discuss [one’s] sex life (2)
Put this deal together. (1,2)
It has possibilities. (1)
had offers before and rejected them
Why did you come to us?
to get a little antsy (2,3)
Good thinking!
I’ll feel them out. (2,3)
Special. (2)
To get involved. (1,2)
You sure she’s gonna show? (2,3)
Throw him a bone. (2,3)
stow this (2,3)
Duds. (2,3)
Classy (2,3)
My loan was approved. (1)
May the road always rise up to meet you. (2)
You set us up (2)
«Maybe» means dick. (2,4)
Who the fuck died and made you Grace Kelly? (2,4)
I am not steak. (2,3)
We’re history. (2,3)
Went well
Move fast and hit ‘em high. (2,3)
Metro is family. (2,3)
70 mil (2,3)
Talk sweet. (2,3)
to work the numbers (1,2)
Nick’s really raw. (2,3)
to crash [a party] (2)
I figure I’ll blend in. (2)
Look me in the eye. (1)
It wasn’t me poppin’ [someone] in our bed. (2,4)
on his side
You’re not even giving him the slightest chance to make it up to you. (2)
You’re out of your man and your house. (2,3)
to come clean (2)
to screw up [one’s] life (2,3)
You are a sport. (2)
What’s your ballpark? (2,3)
Are you trying to fly this thing without me? (2,3)
to set up a meeting (1)
to be canned (2,3)
to be at the end of the line (1,2)
to be in a slump (1,2)
There it is. (1,2)
Don’t go leading me on.
What’s the story? (2)
We look for an opening. (2)
powder room (2,3)
Get a grip. (2,3)
In the right place at the right time. (2)
Just act like you belong. (2)
to make a statement (1)
to be stuck on (2)
to kowtow to [someone, something] (1,2)
First thing Monday. (1,2)
What if we sliced the bread before we sold it?
I had fun. (1,2)
Projected revenues are up __% (1)
And now back to our regulary scheduled programming. (1)
[Someone] doesn’t sit in at this level. (1)
to nail [hit] two birds with one stone (1,2)
the company is in play (1,2)
to get involved (1)
to take the meeting (1,2)
can’t wait
to break it off (2)
a timing thing
to kick someone while they’re down (2)
I won’t take «No» for an answer. (1)
He’s very sticky about the ethics... (2)
If that’ll be all...(1)
Look at you. (2)
I’m swamped. (2)
Some welcome home... (2)
My biological clock. (1)
There’s something I have to tell you. (1)
Talk to ya’later!
Here we are! (2)
Slut (2,3)
flying solo (2,3)
what color smoke comes out of the chimney
I can’t stand still.
the light at the end of the tunnel
this is a closed meeting
you’re being tricked
while I was laid up... (2)
we have containment (1,2)
we have a deal on the table (1,2)
Let’s make a deal. (1,2)
terms of transferal (1)
How’s life in the fast lane? (2)
to bite the big one to get toasted (2,3)
to wise up (2,3)
just leave me alone (1)
Get me into the sack. (2,3)
end of story (2)
it wouldn’t have made a difference
my stuff (2)
Let’s just bury the hatchet. (1,2)
bony ass (2,4)
to blow the deal (2,3)
Let your Johnson go making business decisions for you (2,4)
So? (1,2)
You’re not exactly buying it for the write-off. (1)
Hear the lady out, Sir. (1)
You’re on. (2)
looking to expand into [some line of business] (2)
gross jokes (2,3)
hooked up with (2)
to come up with the idea (2)
mainstream (1)
if I were you (1)to get the boot, but good (2,3)
simple misunderstanding
I simply won’t stand for that kind of talk. (1)
to bend the rules (2)
fire in [one’s] belly (2)
one-time stunt (2)
to go out on a limb (2)
Be right with you, Sir!
way to go! (2,3)
peanut butter and jelly sandwich
milk money
twinkies
apple for the teacher
Play nice with the other kids.
Make sure you’re home before dark.
I don’t think so.
I prefer «assistant».
Guess where I am...
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In the context of the particular scene in the movie, the above phrases are:
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standard or business English
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slang/ colloquial/conversational
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usually to be avoided in formal business writing qnd to be used in zritten or conversational English only when you are certain of the tone you are setting and the impression you are making
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crude or profane, avoid using yourself but important to understand
Homework - Complete one of the following. To be handed in 18 October 2000
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It is often said that women are their own worst enemies in that they fail to help each other, find it difficult to get along with each other and otherwise hinder their own progress in ways that men do not. Do you agree? What do you think the movie Working Girl says about this bit of conventional wisdom? Requirement: essay, not less than two pages.
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Is it true that the only way to get ahead in the world is by «bending the rules»? If so, what could possibly be the harm in doing so? Requirement: essay, not less than two pages.