Idiom of the Week

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Week of March 30, 2009

“In this economy, it would be skating on thin ice to put all your money into a single investment.”

To skate on thin ice- v. To take a big risk or do something dangerous. To be in a risky situation.

For example, in the winter in cold climates people enjoy skating on ice-covered lakes, but such recreation can be dangerous if the ice is too thin.

“Jeanette warned her colleague that he was skating on thin ice, but he continued to flaunt company policy by making long-distance personal phone calls at work.”

 Week of March 23, 2009

“Fiona realized she would have to put her new project on ice until she could find sufficient funds to finance it.”

Put something on ice- v. To postpone or delay something. To save something for a later date.

“The directors decided to put the proposed merger on ice until they could investigate the partner company more fully.”

Week of March 16, 2009

“On reviewing the yearly budget, the accountant realized the overspending on office supplies was just the tip of the iceberg, and that there were other larger expenditure problems.”

Tip of the iceberg- n. The only part of a problem or issue which is visible. A small or evident aspect of something much larger.

Week of March 2, 2009

“Brad was sure his bail-out plan for the company would be a success. As long as nobody made waves, he could implement it immediately.”

To make waves- v. To cause trouble, a disturbance or a controversy.

“The Union workers felt that their rights had been ignored for long enough. It was time to make waves, so a strike was planned for the morning.”