Frases verbales y expresiones idiomáticas en inglés

Clase 14 de 17 • Curso de Expresiones Idiomáticas de Negocios en Inglés

Resumen

¿Qué son las expresiones idiomáticas y cómo se utilizan?

Las expresiones idiomáticas son una parte esencial de cualquier idioma. Añaden color y profundidad al lenguaje, permitiendo comunicar conceptos complejos de una manera concisa. En esta clase, exploraremos seis frases idiomáticas en inglés, brindando ejemplos que faciliten su comprensión y uso en contextos cotidianos.

¿Qué significa "cut to the bone"?

La expresión "cut to the bone", traducida literalmente como "cortar hasta el hueso", describe la acción de tomar decisiones difíciles para reducir costos o eliminar gastos innecesarios. Esta frase se emplea típicamente en contextos financieros o de gestión, donde es necesario ajustar el presupuesto drásticamente.

Ejemplo:

"We looked at our expenses and decided to cut to the bone." Aquí, alguien decide reducir todos los gastos superfluos de sus finanzas.

¿Qué es un "ballpark figure"?

Un "ballpark figure" es una estimación aproximada. Aunque la frase sugiere un estadio de béisbol, no está relacionado literalmente con el deporte; más bien, se refiere a dar un número que transmite una idea general, sin ser exacto.

Ejemplo:

"When the plumber came to our house, he gave us a ballpark figure of $10,000." Esto significa que el plomero proporcionó una idea general del costo, no un precio exacto.

¿Qué implica tener un "blank check"?

Un "blank check" otorga total libertad para actuar sin restricciones financieras. Este término se utiliza a menudo en situaciones empresariales o de proyectos, donde se permite realizar acciones o incurrir en gastos sin preocuparse por un presupuesto específico.

Ejemplo:

"Our manager gave us a blank check to get the project done." Los empleados tienen máxima autonomía para completar el proyecto sin limitaciones presupuestarias.

¿Qué diferencia hay entre "blue collar" y "white collar"?

Las frases "blue collar" y "white collar" distinguen entre tipos de trabajos o profesionales:

Blue collar: Trabajos que implican habilidades manuales o trabajo físico. Por ejemplo, plomeros y trabajadores de construcción.
- Ejemplo: "Plumbers, construction workers, and auto mechanics are examples of blue collar workers."
White collar: Trabajos de oficina o administrativos, generalmente asociados con roles profesionales como gerentes y abogados.
- Ejemplo: "Managers, bank tellers, lawyers, and teachers are examples of white collar workers."

¿Qué significa "to run smoothly"?

La expresión "to run smoothly" describe un proceso que se desarrolla de manera eficiente y según lo planeado. Se utiliza para referirse a operaciones o proyectos que avanzan sin obstáculos o interrupciones.

Con esta interesante introducción al uso de las frases idiomáticas, te invitamos a seguir explorando y practicando para perfeccionar tu dominio del inglés. ¡Aprender estos modismos no solo mejorará tu vocabulario, sino que también hará tus conversaciones más dinámicas y matizadas!

Celeste Yamile

student•

Summary

Cut to the bone = reduced to the minimum possible ”It has survived by cutting its costs to the bone.”
Ballpark figure = A rough numerical estimate of the value of something.
Blank check = Complete freedom to do things or to take action.
Blue collar = People who work with their hands like plumbers, construction workers, or auto mechanics.
White collar = People who work in an office. “Lawyers and teachers are white collar workers.”
To run smoothly = To go as planned with no problems, to go efficiently.

Vivian Morales

student•

Great! 👌

Alexander Jaber

student•

Thanks for your notes.

Luis Francisco Montero

student•

Phrasal verbs and idioms from English to Spanish:

Cut to the bone = reducir, cortar
Ballpark figure = una estimación de costo
Blank check = Libertad para hacer algo
Blue collar = personas que trabajan con sus manos
White collar = Personas que trabajan en oficinas o espacios cerrados
To run smoothly = Que sucede sin contratiempos

Jose Daniel Lince

student•

a. If you work in an office, you are a white collar worker. b. When you cut all the expenses you are cutting to the bone c. If you want to be a car mechanic or a construction worker, do you want to be a blue collar worker? d. I asked the architect for a ballpark figure as to see how much designing our new offices would be. e. I wish I had a blank check to remodel my home.

Gabriel Obregón

student•

New phrases to learn

Cut to the bone
- Meaning: To make tough choices and reduce as much as possible.
- Example: “We looked at our expenses and decided to cut to the bone.”
Ballpark figure
- Meaning: A rough estimate.
- Example: “The plumber gave us a ballpark figure of $10,000.”
Blank check
- Meaning: Complete freedom to take action with no limits.
- Example: “Our manager gave us a blank check to get the project done.”
Blue collar
- Meaning: A worker who does manual labor or works with their hands (e.g., plumbers, construction workers).
- Example: “Plumbers and auto mechanics are blue-collar workers.”
White collar
- Meaning: A worker who works in an office setting (e.g., managers, lawyers, secretaries).
- Example: “Managers and lawyers are examples of white-collar workers.”
Run smoothly
- Meaning: To go as planned without problems, to operate efficiently.

Santiago Tellez Hernandez

student•

a. If you work in an office, you are a white-collar worker. b. When you cut all the expenses you are cutting to the bone c. If you want to be a car mechanic or a construction worker, do you want to be a blue-collar worker? d. I asked the architect for a ballpark figure as to see how much designing our new offices would be. e. I wish I had a blank check to remodel my home.

Ángie Carolina Jiménez Samper

student•

a.If you work in an office you are a white-collar worker. b. When you cut all the expenses you are cutting to the bone. c. If you want to be a car mechanic or a construction worker, do you want to be a blue-collar worker? d. I asked the architect for a ballpark figure. e. I wish I had a blank check to remodel my home.

Luis Francisco Montero

student•

Cut to the bone = reducir, cortar
Ballpark figure = A rough estimate
Blank check = Complete freedom to do things or to take action
Blue collar = People who work with their hands
White collar = People who work in an office
To run smoothly = To go as planned with no problems, to go efficiently.

Celeste Yamile

student•

👍💚

Maria de los Angeles Marroquin Romero

student•

Cut to the bone
Ballpark figure
Blank check
Blue collar
White collar
To run smoothly

Carolina Echeverria

student•

Universities only have white collar employees (false)

When you have to cut the bone you should spend more money (false)

Plumbers and electricians are examples of blue collar workers (true)

A blank check is a real check with unlimited money (false)

To make an estimate is same as a ballpark figure (true)

Viridiana Contreras Martinez

student•

It takes all kinds

Select the best option for each sentence:

If you work in an office, you are a _________ worker.
1. blue collar
2. white collar
When you cut all the expenses you are ___________________.
1. cutting to the bone
2. making a ballpark figure.
If you want to be a car mechanic or a construction worker, do you want to be a ___________________ worker?
1. blue collar
2. white collar
I asked the architect for a ______ as to see how much designing our new offices would be.
1. ballpark figure
2. blank check
I wish I had a __________ to remodel my home.
1. blank check
2. ballpark figure

Juliana Durán molina

student•

CHOOSE OPTION

A worng. F
B
A
A wwrong F
A

Juliana Durán molina

student•

1. Select the best option for each sentence:

a. If you work in an office, you are a _____White collar______ worker

blue collar
white collar

b. When you cut all the expenses you are ____Cutting to the bone_______.

cutting to the bone
making a ballpark figure.

If you want to be a car mechanic or a construction worker, do you want to be a ___Blue colar______ worker?

blue collar
white collar

I asked the architect for a ___Ballpark figure____ as to see how much designing our new offices would be.

ballpark figure
blank check

e. I wish I had a ______Blank check______ to remodel my home

blank check
ballpark figure

Diego Valle

student•

1 White collar.

2 Cutting to the bone.

3 Blue collar.

4 Ballpark figure.

5 Blank check.

Daniel Acosta Bermúdez

student•

CLASS 14 IT TAKES ALL KINDS

a. If you work in an office you are a white collar worker b. When you cut all the expenses you are cutting to the bone c. If you want to be a car mechanic or a construction worker, do you want to be a blue collar worker. d. I asked the architect for a ballpark figure as to see how much designing our new offices would be. e. I wish I had a blank check to remodel my home.

Juan Morales

student•

At most universities, there are both white-collar and blue-collar workers. The white-collar employees work in the offices and in the classrooms. The blue collar workers keep the universities running smoothly. All the universities are going to have to cut to the bone in their enrollment drops. The University Presidents would love a blank check to make everyone happy. Unfortunately, unless something changes, the ballpark figure for enrollment is going to make it necessary to make some tough choices.

STATEMENTS

False
False
True
False
True

WORKSHEET EXERCISE 1 a. white collar b. cutting to the bone c. blue collar d. ballpark figure e. blank check

Alexander Jaber

student•

Jackelyn Julissa

student•

a. If you work in an office, you are a white collar worker. b. When you cut all the expenses you are cutting to the bone c. If you want to be a car mechanic or a construction worker, do you want to be a blue collar worker? d. I asked the architect for a ballpark figure as to see how much designing our new offices would be. e. I wish I had a blank check to remodel my home.

Jackelyn Julissa

student•

b, b, a, b, a

Raúl Alejandro Hernández Quintanilla

student•

bien

William Alexis Monge Alas

student•