to raise a question


This means to introduce a question into a debate or discussion.


Examples


I’d like to raise the question of cost. I don’t really think our budget will cover this.

Your last point raises the question of image. What effect would this decision have on our image?

I raised the question of more training at the meeting but it didn’t get a very good reaction.

belated


This word is always used to congratulate someone for something that has already happened.
It is used if you haven’t seen the person since the event.


Examples


Hello Elmar, belated happy birthday. (It was Elmar’s birthday 2 days ago)

Belated congratulations on your marriage. (the other person got married 2 weeks ago)

Belated best wishes for your new job. (the other person got a new job last month)

To repel

To fight something so that it goes away.


Examples


Our company repelled a hostile takeover bid.

This spray is good for repelling insects in summer.

We coat the wires with a chemical that repels animals, otherwise, animals would try to eat the wire.

loath to (do something) (sounds like ‘oth’ in ‘clothes’)


If you are loath to do something, you really don’t want to do it, but you will do it if you really have to.


Examples


Companies are loath to send their employees on training courses if they are not absolutely necessary.

The company was loath to tell its investors about its difficulties.

People are loath to buy cars that use a lot of petrol at the moment because of the high petrol prices.

to commence

A more formal word for ‘to start’. This word is often used in contracts.


Examples


The work will begin on 1st April.

The project shall commence on Monday 4th May.

We intend to commence work as soon as we receive the go-ahead from our boss.

To adopt

A formal word for ‘ to start using a particular method or device’.


Examples


Next year, English will be adopted as the official company language.

We will adopt the new technique if it passes the test.

European companies are increasing adopting American management practices.

opportunity / possibilities


German speakers often use ‘possibility’ when they should really use ‘opportunity’. An opportunity is something that you can take if you want.
A possibility is not really something that you can influence.


Examples

The English course was an excellent opportunity to speak.

My son has the opportunity to spend a year abroad.

We had the opportunity to speak to the big boss at the Christmas party.

Career opportunities


These are chances to have a good career at a company.


Examples

I left the company because the career opportunities were limited.

What are career opportunities like at your company?

There are more career opportunities for women than there used to be.

tax exile


Tax exiles are people who choose to live outside their country to pay less tax.


Examples

There are many tax exiles in Switzerland.

Some people say that Boris Becker is a tax exile.

The German government want to attract German tax exiles back to Germany.

stiff competition


Stiff is normally the opposite of flexible, but it is very often used with ‘competition’ to mean hard or tough competition.


Examples

We face a lot of stiff competition in this market.

Stiff competition drove our company out of the North American market.

It was a very attractive contract and so there was stiff competition.

Gerne geschehen

collective bargaining


This is where the trade unions negotiate the salaries for thousands of their members with the employers. At the moment (March 2006) there is a lot of disagreement between German states and the public sector unions over the collective bargaining power of the unions.


Examples

Do you think that the unions will lose their collective bargaining powers?

Collective bargaining is an important way for blue collar workers to get a good salary.

Many companies would prefer to negotiate their employees’ salaries individually rather than with collective bargaining.

to deputize for someone


If you are not in the office because you are on holiday or on a business trip, the person who does your work is deputizing for you.


Examples

Klaus deputizes for me when I’m away.

Nobody deputizes for our IT guy, he’s the only person who knows that stuff.

I’ll be away next week so Anne will be deputizing for me.

can’t wait to get your hands on something


To have something useful or valuable.


Examples


Consumers can’t wait to get their hands on the new Vista operating system from Windows.

I can’t wait to get my hands on the new iPod.

She said that she couldn’t wait to get her hands on her new sports car, which still hadn’t been delivered.

throughout


This means at all times during a certain period.


Examples


The customer kept looking at his watch throughout the meeting.

I felt tired throughout the day.

The customer was watching my eyes throughout the negotiation, I guess he thought he would find out something that way.

to attend to the matter


A formal way of saying ‘to deal with something’, particularly a problem. It is often used in formal letters and emails.


Examples


We would appreciate it if you could attend to the matter as soon as possible.

If the matter is not attended to by the end of the week we will be forced to consider legal options.

Please accept our apologies. We will attend to the matter immediately.

free of charge


A more formal way of saying ‘free,’ in terms of money.


Examples


They replaced the damaged goods free of charge.

We will be happy to send you a new device free of charge.

They did the translation free of charge because we are valued customers.