Taken For Granted

Business Idiomsat stake: something to be lost or gained
ex. There was a lot at stake during the negotiations between the nurses and the government.
back out: get out of an agreement, fail to keep a promise
ex. The real estate developer backed out of the negotiations for building the new city hall.
break down: fail, stop
ex. The negotiations broke down late last night when both sides refused to compromise.
bring to terms: make someone agree or do something
ex. At first it seemed impossible for the two sides to settle their dispute but we were finally able to bring them to terms.
bring up: begin a discussion of or mention something
ex. I tried hard not to bring up the subject of sales commissions during the meeting.
call off: stop, quit, and cancel
ex. The meeting was called off because everybody was busy dealing with other business.
come to terms: reach an agreement
ex. After negotiating all night the government and the company agreed on a new arrangement for sharing the costs of the water system.
come up: become a subject for discussions or decision
ex. Nothing related to the problems of quality came up during the meeting.
come up with: produce or find a thought, idea or answer
ex. My boss praised me when I came up with some good ideas during the meeting.
common ground: shared beliefs or interests
ex. There was little common ground between the two sides and the negotiations for the new machinery did not go well.
Definitions: remember, words may have many synonyms1.congenial ................................... a. injury, damage , hurt
2.hoard (v) .................................... b.sympathetic, agreeable
3. sage ......................................... c.shield, protection, sponsorship
4.aegis ......................................... d.hide, store, accumulate
5.detriment .................................. e.wise man, philosopher
The presence of an ever- flowing supply of fresh, clean water is taken for granted. Unfortunately, this congenial condition is fast disappearing. As our population increases, as industry consumes more water each year, the level of our underground water supply sinks measurably. There is no way to hoard water; there are many ways to conserve it. During a particularly dry spell, New York found its reservoirs going dry. Only then did the residents begin to heed the sage advice to limit the wasteful uses of water. Under the aegis of the Water Commissioner, citizens were encouraged to develop habits that would save water. The continued imprudent waste by each of us of this most basic resource will work to the detriment of all.