Idiom of the Week
Archive - May 2006
"He gave himself a deadline: by the end of the day, he needed to create a convincing presentation to his manager, a MedicMon veteran who would closely question any change in direction that seemed to come out of left field."
From Touch All the Bases, p. 12
Come out of left field – v. appear unexpectedly and without warning
• “His resignation came out of left field; no one thought he would leave the company.”
"'That Wolves pitcher has got something on the ball,' Shoba remarked to Jey."
From Touch All the Bases, p. 23
Have something on the ball – v. be especially capable, efficient or talented; in baseball, a pitcher who throws a type of pitched ball that hitters can’t hit.
• “That graduate student has something on the ball; she received the highest score on the final examination.”
Kari knew what Terrence was insinuating about her work but chose not to respond at the moment. Her project was at a critical moment and she had bigger fish to fry.
Have bigger fish to fry - v. To have other things to do; to have more important things to do.
- I turned from my client's request sheet to the task at hand. I had bigger fish to fry.
"John enjoyed the informal atmosphere in the classroom, and he took a shine to those classmates who seemed open and willing to admit their own blind spots as managers."
From Take the Bull by the Horns, p 12
Take a shine to – v. to like someone whom you didn’t before know or like.
• “The project leader took a shine to the new architect because she was both professional and pleasant, and she got right in and did the work.”
Admit one’s own blind spots – v. be willing to recognize weak or undeveloped areas in one’s personality or skills; a physical blind spot is one which can’t be seen or the area on the retina without photoreceptors that respond to light. An image that falls on this region is not seen.
click on the image to experience your blind spot
• “When I admitted my blind spots about how the tax structure worked, I was able to ask my accountant for help in those areas.”
"For his assignment, John chose to make a case for global virtual teams, and then present strategies for leveraging
the horsepower of such teams."
From Take the Bull by the Horns, p. 40
Make a case for – v. to put forth arguments in favor of a point of view
• “If you want more funding for your division, you’ll have to make a case for it.”
Horsepower – n. originally a measurement of the power of a workhorse, but today the power of an engine. Used idiomatically, the degree of strength or resources that can be directed at a task.
Bill didn't want to take sides, but he knew he couldn't sit on the fence forever.
Sit on the fence - v. not to take sides in a dispute; not to make a clear choice between two possibilities.
- "Jason knew that to be a good team leader, you couldn't sit on the fence. You had to be able to make clear decisions."
"Jey had a lot of clout with upper management because of his past performance successes, but in order to convince his boss, he would need a winning strategic game plan."
From Touch All the Bases, p. 12
Have [a lot of] clout – v. to have power, strength or influence
• “The businessman has clout with the municipal government; he gets whatever he wants.”
Game plan – n. strategy, method of execution
• “Our game plan is to distribute our products through franchises.”
football game plan on chalkboard
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