Unit 11

Word

Definition

Example

appreciably

(esp. of amounts or changes) large enough to be noticed or to have an effect

Attitudes to the company are becoming appreciably more negative

be all agreed

if people are agreed, they have the same opinion

Are we all agreed?

beyond somebody's control

the situation in which someone does not have the ability or power to decide or strongly influence the particular way in which something will happen or someone will behave

I'm afraid this is beyond our control now

can't possibly

used to say that something isn't possible

We can't possibly do that

close-knit

involving groups of people in which everyone supports each other

We have a very close-knit team

comparatively

as compared to something else

The number of people leaving has been comparatively low

competence

the ability to do something well

It's about an individual's competence rather than length of service

consider doing something

to think about a particular subject or thing or about doing something or about whether to do something

Would you consider accepting delivery by Friday?

considerably

to a large, noticeable, or important degree

Don't forget that our cultures are considerably different

dignity

the importance and value that a person has, that makes other people respect them or makes them respect themselves

Our policies ensure all employees can maintain their dignity at work

diversity

the fact of many different types of things or people being included in something; a range of different things or people

We have policies which promote diversity

equality

the right of different groups of people to have a similar social position and receive the same treatment

We have strict regulations to ensure equality

feasible

able to be made, done, or achieved

That sounds feasible

find a way round something

to successfully evade something

Let's try to find a way round this

go along with

to support an idea, or to agree with someone's opinion

I'll go along with that option

hostile

unfriendly and not liking something

The reaction to the restructuring announcement was hostile

in many respects

by a particular feature or detail

It's essential to remember that in many respects our cultures are not at all similar

increasingly difficult

more and more hard to do, understand, or deal with

It will become increasingly difficult to reverse the trend

irretrievably damaging

causing harm in a way that is not possible to correct or is impossible to return to a previously existing situation or condition

The effect on American business could be irretrievably damaging

just not possible

used for saying that something cannot be allowed or that it is impossible

I'm afraid it is just not possible

just won't work

used for saying that you cannot make something do what it should do, although you have tried

No, that just won't work

make do with

to use what is available although it is not enough or what you wanted

Could you make do with some samples of the product?

merit

the quality of being good and deserving praise

All staff promotions are based on merit

mutual cooperation

the process of working with another company, organization, or country in order to achieve something by doing the same thing to or for each other

Mutual cooperation between the two countries has increased

no longer possible

used when something used to be done or achieved in the past but is not able to be done or achieved now

Changing the situation is no longer possible

noticeably

in a way that is easy to see or recognize

Their attitude towards us is noticeably less friendly

out of the question

used to describe something that definitely will not or cannot happen

No, no, that's out of the question

potentially disastrous

possibly causing great harm, damage, or suffering

This view is having a potentially disastrous effect on the image of US brands

profoundly worrying

making you feel extremely unhappy and frightened

A number of factors have all had a profoundly worrying effect

promote

to encourage or support something, or to help something become successful

Our employee policies promote diversity and equality

refuse to budge

to refuse to change your opinion or decision about something

I refuse to budge on this

relatively stable

able to continue in a regular and successful way without unexpected changes in comparison with other similar things

Non-American brands have remained relatively stable

respect

admiration felt or shown for someone or something that you believe has good ideas or qualities

She has the respect of all her team

say no to

to say that one will not accept or agree to something

I have to say no to the new arrangement

scandal

(an action or event that causes) a public feeling of shock and strong moral disapproval

Last year's share-dealing scandal has damaged their reputation

share value

the price of a particular company's shares (= equal parts into which the ownership of a company is divided)

The reduction in our share value is concerning

significantly different

not the same in a way that is easy to see or by a large amount

Europeans felt that their values were significantly different to American ones

stay firm

to refuse to change your opinion or policy

I have to stay firm on this

surprisingly

unexpectedly or in a way that is unusual

The market conditions changed surprisingly quickly

tolerance

willingness to accept behaviour and beliefs that are different from your own, although you might not agree with or approve of them

Our work environment is built on tolerance and understanding

underpin

to give support, strength, or a basic structure to something

We have five core values that underpin the way we conduct our business activities

unexpectedly rapid

fast or sudden in a way that is not expected

There's been an unexpectedly rapid decline in interest

what would you say to

used to make a suggestion or offe

What would you say to doing a smaller run for us?

willing

not opposed to doing something; ready or eager to do something

Yes, I'd be willing to prioritize that