'Downsizing' means moving from a larger place into a smaller one. It can refer to a physical space, like a large house to a condo, or it can refer to what a company or organization can do. In the case of the latter, downsizing is actually a euphemism for getting fired.
Examples:
-What prompted your move?
-Now that the kids are out of college, it was time to downsize. We just didn't need that much space anymore.
-So, I heard your department is downsizing.
-Yeah, 10 people are being let go.
I love analyzing my native language, American English, and helping non-native speakers make sense of it. I've been doing this for fun with friends who speak English as a second language for nearly 30 years. I would like to first thank A.D., C.F. and E.A., and now P.G., for inspiring me to finally write this stuff down!
Showing posts with label euphemism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label euphemism. Show all posts
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
To tweak
'To tweak' something is corporate-speak for basic editing or making other minor changes.
Example:
-This document needs to be tweaked before we can send it out.
Example:
-This document needs to be tweaked before we can send it out.
Friday, October 28, 2011
He took another opportunity.
Saying that someone "took another opportunity" is a way of saying someone no longer works in a place. Since it is a vague response, there is no way to know if the person quit or was fired.
-Does Michael still work here?
-No, he took another opportunity.
-Oh, that's too bad! I really liked him!
-Yeah, we miss him, too.
-Does Michael still work here?
-No, he took another opportunity.
-Oh, that's too bad! I really liked him!
-Yeah, we miss him, too.
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