- Working Life
- 1. Joined the staff
- 2. Make a living: earn enough to live/used to refer to one’s ob
- 3. Members of staff
- 4. Maternity leave
- 5. Go part-time
- 6. Do a job share
- 7. Lay off staff: dismiss someone of staff
- 8. Go freelance
- 9. Network of contacts
- 10. Volume of work
- 11. Earn a good living
- 12. Practised medicine: worked as a doctor
- 13. Carve a niche for myself: special position
- 14. Opposite number: someone doing the same job in a different location
- 15. Took up the post: started work
- 16. Hold that position: work, maintain
- 17. Open to offers
- 18. Putting together CV: writing CV
- 19. Tempting offer: interesting offer
- 20. Fast-track scheme: rapid training and promotion of talented staff
- 21. Moving up the ladder: being promoted
- 22. Have change of heart: changing mood or attitudes
- 23. Get my priorities right: give importance to the right aspect of life
- 24. Take priority over: be more important to me than..
- 25. Handed in my resignation: give demission
- NEW EMPLOYMENT
- 26. Fit the job description
- 27. Daunting task: difficult task
- 28. Narrow the list down: reduce the list
- 29. Taking up references: obtain the reference
- 30. Working as a team
- 31. Mastering new skills: learn new skills
- 32. Taking on responsibility
- 33. Taken industrial action: go on strike/stage a strike (sciopero: workers refuse to work)
- 34. Professional misconduct: bad behaviour
- 35. Relieved of his duties: dismissed
- 36. Wrongfully dismissed: unfairly (ingiustamente) dismissed
- 37. Losing his livelihood: loss of earning (Perdita sostentamento)
- 38. Pencil in a meeting: fix a meeting that can be modified
- 39. Clear my desk: complete the task or quit the job
- CONVERSATION ABOUT A NEW JOB
- 40. Landed a new job: got a new job
- 41. Heavy workload: large amount of work
- 42. Unsocial hours: uncomfortable working hours
- 43. Menial tasks: simple and low-level tasks
- 44. Running errands: small tasks for someone
- 45. Living wage: enough money to live on
- 46. Overtime unpaid: extra hours without earning extra money
- 47. Throw a sickie: take a day off work pretending to be sick
- 48. Getting the sack: being dismissed
- 49. Be prospects for: having prospective to grow up
- 50. Sweated labour: bad work conditions and little paid
- 51. Realise his potential: understanding our value
- 52. High turnover of staff: many employees leave and many employees are replaced
- 53. Stay the course: perseverance
- THOUGHTS AND IDEAS
- 54. Honestly think: (not strongly think)
- 55. Give it some thought: to consider, to think about
- 56. Bear in mind: remember
- 57. It’s common knowledge: everyone knows
- 58. Grasped the importance of: understanding how important something is
- 59. Take the view: believe
- 60. Foregone conclusion: absolutely certain
- 61. Rough idea: general idea
- 62. Subscribe to the theory: hold the opinion (avere un parere)
- 63. Widespread belief: generally held view (general opinion))
- 64. Opinions are divided: people hold different views
- 65. It is my firm conviction: totally convinced
- 66. Becoming aware of the problem: be conscious of the problem
- 67. Judge someone harshly: be very critical of someone
- 68. Poor judgment: inability to make appropriate decisions
- 69. Pass judgment on: criticise
- 70. Against my better judgment: despite the knowledge that something is a bad idea
- 71. A lack of judgment: inability to judge a situation wisely
- 72. Error of judgment: bad decision
- 73. Thinking laterally: approaching a problem in an imaginative and original way, rather than using traditional approach
- 74. Fertile imagination: lots of original interesting ideas
- 75. Wrestle with a problem: struggle to find a solution
- 76. Nagging doubt: unpleasant feeling of doubt that will not go away (dubbio che non ti lascia)
- 77. Fuelling speculation: encouraging people to consider that something may be true
- 78. Jump to conclusions: guess the fact about a situation without having enough information
- BUSINESS REPORTS
- BUSINESS NEWS
- 79. Announced record profits: highest-ever profits (Guadagno senza precedent)
- 80. Decline in demand: reduction in the interest for a product
- 81. Fierce competition: intense competition among companies (NOT HIGH)
- 82. Meeting their targets : successfully done goals
- 83. Go into production: starting the production of a new product
- 84. Boost: increase/improve
- 85. Sales: quantity/value of goods
- 86. Profits: financial gains
- 87. Stimulate growth: to encourage the expansion of business
- 88. Allocating parts of its budget: Designating specific portions of a company’s budget for various purposes.
- 89. Chaired the committee: Acted as the head or leader of a committee.
- 90. Generate business: Create business opportunities or increase customer activity.
- 91. Unique selling points: the features that differentiate a product and make it attractive to customers
- 92. Pay dividends: to provide benefits or positive results, often in terms of financial returns.
- 93. Made sound business sense: Was a wise or logical decision from a business perspective.
- 94. Maintain quality: To continue providing a high level of quality in products or services.
- 95. Promote the interests: To support or advance the benefits of a particular group or cause
- 96. Satisfying the demands target market: Meeting the needs or preferences of a specific customer group.
- 97. Emergency meeting: A meeting called at short notice to address a critical or urgent issue.
- 98. Hike in prices: a sudden or significant increase in prices.
- 99. Affect the bottom line: impact the company’s net profit or overall financial performance.
- 100. Set ourselves clear objectives: establish specific, well-defined goals.
- 101. Balance the books: To ensure that total expenses do not exceed total revenues.
- 102. Calling in the receivers: Bringing in bankruptcy professionals to manage a failing company’s assets.
- MARKETING
- 103. Conduct/Carry out market research: To gather information about consumer needs, preferences, and trends.
- 104. Focus group: A small, diverse group of people brought together to discuss and give feedback on a product or service.
- 105. Consumer behaviour: the actions and decision-making processes of individuals when buying and using products.
- 106. Buying habits: The patterns or tendencies in how people purchase products.
- 107. Income bracket: A range of income levels that groups people with similar earning capacities.
- 108. Demographic profile: A statistical breakdown of a population based on characteristics like age, gender, income, etc.
- 109. Customer relationship management: Strategies used to maintain and improve interactions with customers.
- 110. Product development: he process of creating new products or improving existing ones.
- 111. Market segmentation: Dividing a market into distinct groups with similar characteristics or needs.
- 112. Market share: The percentage of total sales in a market held by a particular company or product.
- 113. Customer: a person who buys product
- 114. Consumer : someone who uses products
- 115. Marketing campaign: A series of planned activities aimed at promoting a product or service.
- 116. Reach target audience: To communicate effectively with the specific group of people most likely to be interested in a product.
- 117. Product placement: Featuring a product in media content as a form of advertising.
- 118. Guerrilla marketing: Unconventional and low-cost marketing strategies aimed at maximum impact.
- 119. In-house marketing team: A company’s own team dedicated to marketing and promotional activities.
- 120. Advertising agency: A company that creates and manages promotional activities for other businesses.
- 121. Brand identity: The distinctive visual and emotional elements associated with a brand
- 122. Build brand awareness: To increase public knowledge and recognition of a brand.
- 123. Customer satisfaction: A measure of how well a product or service meets or exceeds customer expectations.
- 124. Went viral: Gained widespread popularity and visibility online in a short time.
- 125. Free airtime: Exposure on television, radio, or other media at no cost.
- 126. Press coverage: News and media attention given to a product, service, or event.
- 127. Celebrity endorsement: someone is paid to promote a product
- 128. Engage with customers: communicate with customers to build relationships.
- CUSTOMER SERVICES
- 129. Carry out surveys (or do surveys, but NOT make) – To conduct questionnaires to gather customer feedback.
- 130. go shopping – To visit stores or online shops to buy goods (-> beni)
- 131. value for money: A product or service that is worth (vale) the cost.
- 132. fit for purpose – A product that performs its intended function effectively.
- 133. make a complaint - To formally express dissatisfaction with a product or service.
- 134. offer a discount To provide a reduction in price to customers
- 135. place an order To request a product or service to be delivered.
- 136. regular customers People who frequently purchase (acquistare) from a business.
- 137. satisfied customers: customers who are happy with a product or service.
- 138. healthy competition – Fair (sana, leale) competition between businesses that benefits consumers.
- 139. prompt service: quick and efficient service.
- 140. next-day delivery – The option to have a product delivered the day after it is ordered.
- 141. put me on hold – To temporarily pause a phone call, usually in customer service.
- 142. poor quality Low standard or substandard products or services.
- 143. top quality – The highest level of quality in a product or service.
- 144. kick up a fuss – To strongly express dissatisfaction or complain loudly.
- 145. a full refund – The return of the entire amount paid for a product or service.(rimborso)
- 146. take my custom elsewhere – Choosing to shop or do business with another provider.
- 147. grounds for complaint Valid reasons for dissatisfaction with a product or service.
- 148. providing an excellent service: delivering high-quality customer support.
- 149. conform to safety regulations: to meet established safety standards.
- 150. honour all commitments: to fulfil (adempiare) promises or agreements made to customers.
- 151. take seriously complaints – To treat customer grievances with importance and attention
- 152. come up to standard– To meet expected quality or service standards.
- 153. handle all complaints: to deal with (trattare) or address customer complaints effectively.
- STUDENT LIFE
- 154. Mental agility – The ability to think quickly and clearly.
- 155. Gifted children – Children with above-average abilities or talents.
- 156. Won a scholarship – Received financial support for education based on merit.
- 157. Attend school – To regularly go to school for education.
- 158. Straight-A student – A student who consistently receives the highest grades.
- 159. Applied to universities – Submitted applications for admission to universities.
- 160. Secure a place – Successfully obtain admission to a school or program.
- 161. Read English literature – To study English literature as a course or major.
- 162. Academic year – The school or college year, usually divided into terms or semesters.
- 163. Core subjects – Essential subjects that are part of a standard curriculum.
- 164. Set texts – Books or texts assigned as required reading for a course.
- 165. Distinguished scholars – Highly respected academics with notable achievements.
- 166. Leading authorities – Experts who are widely recognized in their field.
- 167. Graduated from university – Successfully completed a degree program at university.
- 168. Formal education – Structured education typically received in schools, colleges, or universities.
- 169. Signed up for courses/Enrolled on a large number of courses – Registered to take multiple classes or programs.
- 170. Meet the entry requirements – Fulfill the criteria needed for admission to a program.
- 171. Mature students – Older students, typically adults returning to education.
- 172. Acquire knowledge – To gain knowledge or understanding through study or experience.
- 173. Marked improvements – Noticeable progress or advances in performance or ability.
- 174. Attention wanders – When focus or concentration shifts away from the task.
- 175. Natural talent – An innate ability or skill.
- 176. Full marks – The highest possible score or grade.
- 177. Room for improvement – Potential to make further progress or better performance.
- 178. Learn by heart – To memorize something completely.
- 179. Thirst for knowledge – A strong desire to learn or know more.
- 180. Quick learner – A person who learns new skills or concepts rapidly.
- 181. Concentration wavers – When focus fluctuates or weakens.
- 182. Demonstrated an ability to – Showed skill or capability in a specific area.
- 183. Showed initiative – Took proactive steps or actions without being told.
- 184. Proven ability to – A demonstrated skill or competence in a specific area.
- 185. Playing truant – Skipping school without permission.
- WRITING ESSAYS :
- working hypothesis : A preliminary theory or assumption that guides research and analysis but is not yet proven.
- confront issues : To directly address or tackle problems or challenging topics in writing. (affrontare argomenti difficili per iscritto)
- critical analysis : A detailed evaluation or interpretation of a subject, examining its strengths, weaknesses, and underlying meanings.
- 19. Social life
- Call for a celebration – An occasion or event that warrants a celebration.
- Social whirl – A busy schedule of social events and gatherings.
- Play host to – To host or entertain guests.
- Talking
- Juicy gossip – Exciting or scandalous information about people.
- Broach the subject – To bring up a topic for discussion.
- Opening gambit – The first thing said or done in a conversation or negotiation.
- 21. In the news
- Declare independence – To officially announce freedom from another entity.
- Reach agreement – To come to a mutual understanding or decision.
- Bow to pressure – To give in to demands or pressure from others.
- 22. Current affairs
- Refuse point-blank – To reject something directly and firmly.
- Decline to comment – To choose not to give a statement or opinion.
- Gauge reaction – To assess how people feel or respond to something.
- Festivals and celebrations
- Date back to – Originating from a specific time in the past.
- Movable feast – A holiday or celebration whose date changes yearly.
- Propose a toast – To raise a glass and make a speech in someone’s honor.
- 24. Cosmetics and fashion
- Flawless complexion – Perfect, clear skin.
- Set the trend – To establish a popular style or fashion.
- Fashion victim – A person who follows fashion trends excessively.
- 25. Commuting
- Traffic gridlock – Severe traffic congestion.
- Rail network – The system of interconnected train routes.
- Lengthy tailbacks – Long lines of traffic, typically due to congestion.
- 26. Travel and adventure
- Get itchy feet – To feel a strong desire to travel.
- Off the beaten track – Visiting less popular or remote places.
- Leg of the journey – A specific part or segment of a journey.
- 27. Sport
- Keep in shape – To stay physically fit.
- Reach fever pitch – To reach an extreme level of excitement or intensity.
- Score an own goal – To accidentally harm one's own interests, originally a term in sports.
- 28. Plans and decisions
- Toy with an idea – To consider an idea without serious intent.
- Tentative suggestion – A preliminary or non-final suggestion.
- Deciding factor – The key element that influences a decision.
- 29. Film and book reviews
- Star-studded cast – A cast filled with well-known actors.
- Glowing reviews – Highly positive feedback from critics or audiences.
- Hold one’s attention – To engage or captivate someone’s interest.