Jessica上呈老外主管一份行销建议书,得到以下回复:You need to make out a case for your suggestions first.
Jessica心想:「这是全新销售手法,我上哪去找案例呢?」只得再度请示老外主管。
对方才说:No! I just need you to explain more about your suggestions.
如果Jessica知道make out a case for是指「提出做某件事的充分理由」,就不会有误会。以下是常让人误解的用语。看看你是不是也有听没有懂。
1
double time
(X)两倍时间
(O)双倍工资
说明:double time可不是指双倍时间,而是指付给加班者的双倍工资。
用法:
Who would like to take this job? I will offer double time for it.
谁愿接这工作?我提供双倍工资。
2
fill the bill
(X)填好表格
(O)符合要求
说明:这里可不是叫人来「填表」,而是在问有谁「正合需要」或「能解决问题」。
用法:
There's a job opening here. Do you know anyone who may fill the bill?
我们有一个职缺,你知道谁符合要求吗?
3
in black and white
(X)黑白分明
(O)白纸黑字
说明:black和white指黑字和白纸,所以in black and white意思是白纸黑字写下来或印出来的书面形式。
用法:
I want you to reach this agreement in black and white as soon as possible.
请尽快达成书面协议。
4
keep one's eye on the ball
(X)看着球
(O)集中精力
说明:keep one's eye on the ball是体育用语,指打球时须双眼紧盯球,现在则特别用来比喻在工作上专心致志。注意,eye固定都用单数,不加s。
用法:
John, your sales record is way down the past quarter. You'd better start keeping your eye on the ball.
约翰,过去一季你的销售成绩一直很差,你最好开始集中注意力在工作上。