Vocabulary for Priorities & Timing

Question 1

What does it mean if one thing takes precedence over another thing?

Answer 1

Be considered more important than something else; come first in priority.

Example: The urgent compliance changes took precedence over finalising the quarterly budget.

Question 2

Define fast-track (something).

Answer 2

Accelerate the process or timeline of something.

Example: They decided to fast-track the product launch to beat the competitor to market.

Question 3

What does it mean to spread (oneself) too thin?

Answer 3

Try to do too many things at once, often resulting in poor performance.

Example: By managing three reporting workstreams alone, she spread herself too thin and missed key deadlines.

Question 4

What does it mean to kick the can down the road?

Answer 4

Delay dealing with a problem or making a decision.

Example: Rather than resolving the pricing issue, they kicked the can down the road again.

Question 5

What does it mean to narrow down (options/priorities)?

Answer 5

Reduce the number of possibilities to focus on the most relevant ones.

Example: They narrowed down the shortlist of partners to those with regional logistics capabilities.

Question 6

What does it mean to be tied up?

Answer 6

Be busy or occupied, often unavailable due to commitments.

Example: I was tied up in back-to-back meetings and couldn’t join the finance sync.

Question 7

What does it mean when you line something up?

Answer 7

Arrange or prepare something in advance.

Example: We’ve already lined up potential analysts in case we expand the FP&A team.

Question 8

What does it mean to jump the gun?

Answer 8

Act too early or before the proper time.

Example: The sales team jumped the gun and launched the promotion before the website was updated.