I agree with you

example: "Our CEO really needs to get some new suits." - "Tell me about it! His suits are all at least 25 years old!"

(to) lose one's shirt

to lose everything one owns; to lose a lot of money in business; to make a very bad investment

example: It's risky to invest all of your money in the stock mar­ket. If the market goes down a lot, you could lose your shirt.

(to) take the ball and run with it

to take initiative; to take charge without a lot of supervision

example: We told the graphic designer what to include in the brochure, and she was able to take the ball and run with it.

practice the idioms

Choose the most appropriate response to each sentence:

1) We purchased an entire office building in New York for a song a few years ago when the economy was bad.

1. Now that building would be much more expensive.

2. Now that building would be much cheaper.

3. Now you could probably get that building at a good price.

2) Carol, our new finance manager, is the type of person who can take the ball and run with it.

1. Great, we need somebody here who needs a lot of direction.

2. Great, we need some more good athletes in our office.

3. Great, we're looking for somebody with initiative.

3) Jesse won $5 million last month in a lawsuit. He really struck

it rich.

1. No wonder he's decided to retire!

2. No wonder he's decided to go to law school!

3. No wonder he's decided to continue working!

4) We're looking to hire somebody who'll stay with our company for at least a few years. You wouldn't jump ship after just a year, would you?

1. No, I don't even like sailing.

2. No, I always stay at jobs at least three years.

3. No, I would probably quit after a year.

5) You might get rich investing in biotech companies, but you're just as likely to lose your shirt.

1. That's good advice. I'll definitely invest heavily in them.

1. That's true. I'd better be careful about putting too much money into them.

2. That's true, but I'd be willing to give away my shirt in exchange for a lot of money.

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6) While in Russia, you should snap up some lacquer boxes. They're beautiful and inexpensive there.

1. Okay, I will be sure to pack plenty of boxes.

2. Okay, I will be sure to sell some lacquer boxes.

3. Okay, I will be sure to buy some lacquer boxes.

7) I bought plane tickets on Econo-Airlines, and a few days later they went belly up! -

1. I'm sure you'll have a great flight.

2. I'll be sure to book my next flight with Econo-Airlines.

3. That's too bad. You'd better buy some new plane tickets.

8) Working on Wall Street for an investment bank sounds wonderful, but it's not all it's cracked up to be.

1. You're right. It really is wonderful.

2. You're right. The pay is good, but the work is demanding and the hours are long.

3. You're right. Everybody I know who works on Wall Street loves it.

ANSWERS TO LESSON 29, p. 195

Lesson 30

NEGOTIATING A SALARY OFFER Part1

Donna calls Marina to tell her the good news — she got the job. Marina wisely decides to negotiate for a higher salary.

Donna: Marina, it's Donna Harris from American Steel Enterprises. I've got great news. We'd like to make you an offer.

Marina: That's fantastic!

Donna: Our HR department will go over the nitty-gritty of the offer with you, but let me give you the big picture now. The base salary will be $45,000.

Marina: I'm really excited about this opportunity. I should mention that I'm weighing another offer with a higher base salary. Is there any room to negotiate?

Donna: What did you have in mind?

Marina: Well, my other offer is for $50,000. Can you match it?

Donna: That's out of our range. Let's split the difference. We'll go up to $47,500.

Marina: Can we say $48,000?

Donna: No, I'm afraid not. Our final offer is $47,500.

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Marina: This sounds good, but I'd like to sleep on it. Can I call you back tomorrow?

Donna: Yes, but please touch base with me first thing in the morning so we can get the ball rolling. We've got several other candidates interested in the position.