Lesson 2 - Talking About Financial Issues Flashcards
quick calculations
estimates using approximate numbers, instead of exact numbers
BACK-OF-THE-ENVELOPE CALCULATIONS
I don’t need the exact numbers right now. Just give me some back-of-the-envelope calculations.
a guess based on experience
a piece of information based on prior knowledge, not hard facts or data
EDUCATED GUESS
I’d say there are about a million potential consumers for your new line of cosmetics, but that’s just an educated guess.
in trouble
IN HOT WATER
Ian was in hot water with the government after he was caught making illegal copies of software.
to perform financial calculations
TO CRUNCH/RUN THE NUMBERS
Reed Corporation is thinking about buying a small company. First, they’ll need to crunch the numbers and see if their acquisition will be profitable.
it bothers me
it really surprises me
it amazes me
… BLOWS MY MIND
It blows my mind that our company is trying to save money by taking away our free coffee service.
losing money
when expenses are greater than revenues
IN THE RED
We need to do something to start making profits. If we’re in the red for one more quarter, we’re going to go out of business.
in a position where one is likely to be fired or get in trouble
TO HAVE ONE’S HEAD ON THE CHOPPING BLOCK
After Earthy Foods released a frozen dinner that made many consumers sick, their CEO’s head was on the chopping block.
to give permission to move forward with a project
to approve the start of something
TO GIVE STH THE GREEN LIGHT
Super Software’s Moscow office has developed its own regional advertising campaign. They hope that headquarters in California will give them the green light to proceed with the campaign.
to make neither a profit or a loss; the point at which revenues equal costs
TO BREAK EVEN
You broke even during your first year in business? That’s good since most companies lose money during their first year.
to put a stop to a project or initiative, usually because it’s not going well
to stop something from moving forward
to discontinue
TO PULL THE PLUG ON STH
After losing millions of dollars drilling for oil in Nebraska and finding nothing, the oil company finally pulled the plug on its exploration project.
