Showing posts with label euphemism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label euphemism. Show all posts

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Downsizing

'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.

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.

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.