Unit 10

Word

Definition

Example

analyse

to examine or think about something carefully, in order to understand it

The microscope lets volunteers analyse blood and tissue samples

as soon as

immediately after something happens, without delay

As soon as I've looked into it, I'll call you back

break up

if someone breaks up an arrangement or agreement, or if it is broken up, it ends

Sorry, but you're breaking up and I can't hear you

call back

to telephone someone again, for example because they were not at home when you telephoned last time

Can you call Peter back?

clarify

to make something clearer or easier to understand

Could I just clarify what you're saying?

collaborate with

to work together with a person or group in order to achieve something, especially in science or art

We use it to collaborate with colleagues in other parts of the world

communication

the way people express themselves so that other people will understand

So many people rely on mobile phones for daily communication

connect

to join two or more things together

The app connects local people to delivery drivers

consultation

a discussion in which people who are affected by or involved in something can give their opinions

They can provide a consultation by email or video link

deadline

a date or time by which you have to do or complete something

I expect it to be ready in time for the deadline

deal with

to take the necessary action, especially in order to solve a problem

There are a number of complaints I need to deal with

developing nation

anation where the average income is much lower than in industrial nations, where the economy relies on a few export crops, and where farming is conducted by primitive methods

It delivers free health care to developing nations around the world

draw up

to prepare a written document, such as a list or contract

The consultant drew the plan up

eat out

to eat in a restaurant instead of at home

I'd like to eat out tonight as I'm too tired to cook

economy

the system by which a country's money and goods are produced and used, or a country considered in this way

The technology has brought new business to local economies

external

relating to the outside of something or of a person's body

Employees have to communicate regularly with their external clients.

fax

a letter or message that is sent in electronic form down a telephone line and then printed using a special machine

I'll fax it straight to them

focus on

to give special attention to one particular person or thing, or to make people do this

The survey focused on the role of digital technology at work

generation

all people of about the same age

There's a new generation of tech entrepreneurs in Africa

get something straight

to understand the facts of a situation and be able to tell them correctly

Let me get this straight as I'm not sure I understand

hang up

to finish a telephone conversation

I'll hang up and try your landline

have access to

to have a car, a computer etc that you can use

For most jobs, you have to have access to the Internet

have an impact on

to have the effect or influence that an event, situation etc has on someone or something

Digital technology has had a huge impact on the workplace

innovation

a new idea, method, or invention

The lack of infrastructure has driven this tech innovation

integrate into

if two or more things integrate, or if you integrate them, they combine or work together in a way that makes something more effective

Technology has been integrated into every part of the workplace

limit

the greatest or least amount, number, speed etc that is allowed

Less than 50% said their bosses put limits on Internet usage

look out

used to warn someone that they are in danger

Look out! There's a car coming

look through

to look for something among a pile of papers, in a drawer, in someone's pockets etc

Look through this report, please

policy

a way of doing something that has been officially agreed and chosen by a politicalparty, a business, or another organization

What's the company policy on personal use of the Internet?

put through

to connect someone to someone else on the telephone

I'll put you through to the accounts department now

read something back to somebody

to look at and speak words that you wrote earlier, usually so that someone can check that what you have written is correc

Let me read the message back to you

shortly

soon

I'll get back to you shortly

speak up

used to ask someone to speak louder

Could you speak up as the line is very bad?

speed up

to move or happen faster, or to make something move or happen faster

We need the team to speed up production

talk somebody through something

to explain to someone in detail how somethingshould be done

Could you talk me through the process?

technology

new machines, equipment, and ways of doing things that are based on modern knowledge about science and computers

A key item of technology used on the ships is the 'Nikon Coolscope'

transfer

to move from one place to another, or to move something from one place to another

People can transfer money on their mobiles