Business Idioms C-D

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