Idiom of the Week

Week of June 23, 2008

“As the deadline for the release of the new product fast approached, it was all hands on deck to make sure everything was ready.”

All hands on deck – help or participation is required from everyone involved, particularly to do a lot of work in a short time.

“We’ll need all hands on deck to have our new restaurant ready for opening night.”

Week of June 16, 2008

“My manager was really impressed with his new secretary; she learned the ropes very quickly.”

Learn the ropes – n. to learn how to do something, to learn something new, to learn a job or an activity.  (Show, know and teach the ropes is also used.)

“Ricardo has been in the business for so long that he is always in charge of teaching new recruits.  Nobody knows the ropes better.”

Week of June 2, 2008

“Brooke was optimistic that her new technology would revolutionize the computer industry and that finally her ship would come in.”

 Your ship comes in – v. to become rich and successful, to make your fortune.

“Arturo always had visions of starting his own company; he was just waiting for his ship to come in so he could afford the investment.”