Business Idioms: C-D

Reading
calculated risk
MEANING: an action that may fail but has a good chance to succeed
EXAMPLE:
They took a calculated risk when they introduced the new computer screen onto the market.
captain of industry
MEANING: a top corporation officer
EXAMPLE:
The president of our company was a captain of industry and after he retired he was appointed to many government boards.
carry over
MEANING: save for another time
EXAMPLE:
We were forced to carry over the sale to the Monday after the national holiday.
carry over
MEANING: transfer (a figure) from one column or book to another
EXAMPLE:
Our company is still facing difficult times and we will have to carry over last year's losses to this year.
carry the day
MEANING: win completely
EXAMPLE:
The president's new idea carried the day and everyone supported him energetically.
carry through
MEANING: put into action
EXAMPLE:
The steel company carried through their plan to restructure all of their operations.
close out
MEANING: sell the whole of something, sell all the goods
EXAMPLE:
They decided to close out the store and sell all of the remaining stock very cheap.
close the books
MEANING: stop taking orders, end a bookkeeping period
EXAMPLE:
They usually close the books at the end of February every year.
cold call
MEANING: call a potential customer from a list of persons one has never seen
EXAMPLE:
When he first started to work at his company he was asked to make cold calls using the telephone book.
come on strong
MEANING: overwhelm with excessively strong language or personality
EXAMPLE:
The salesman came on too strong at the meeting and angered the other members of the team.
company man
MEANING: a person who always works hard and agrees with his employees
EXAMPLE:
My father was a true company man and was always putting in an extra effort for his company.
company town
MEANING: a town dominated by one industry or company
EXAMPLE:
When the coal mine closed down the company town faced severe economic times.
cut back
MEANING: use fewer or use lesser
EXAMPLE:
The company has been cutting back on entertainment expenses for over a year now.
cut corners
MEANING: economize
EXAMPLE:
We have been forced to economize on stationary expenses during these severe economic times.
cut off
MEANING: interrupt or stop
EXAMPLE:
The speech of the president was cut off when the electricity went off in the building.
cut one's losses
MEANING: do something to stop losing money or something
EXAMPLE:
We should sell the old machinery as soon as possible and try and cut our losses.
deliver the goods
MEANING: succeed in doing well what is expected
EXAMPLE:
The new owner of the company is not very popular but he is able to deliver the goods.
double-check
MEANING: check something again to confirm
EXAMPLE:
We were unable to double-check the costs of the new products before the price list was printed.