Downsizing meaning in English
Learn how to use Downsizing correctly with Gymglish.
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Definition
downsizing: reduction (often of a company's work force)
The term downsizing is used when staff numbers will definitely be reduced.
to downsize: to decrease, to reduce (often staff numbers)
Examples
- "Icarus : Downsize!"
- "Don't worry, we won't be downsizing, and there are no layoffs forthcoming."
- "The Perfume Hut will be undergoing some significant changes: substantial budget cuts, and major downsizing are in store for the company."
Exercise 1
The Perfume Hut will be "downsizing". This means they will be:
The Perfume Hut will be "downsizing". This means they will be:
This is correct. The term "downsizing" refers to a company's decision to fire or "lay-off" employees due to budgetary restrictions. The term almost always indicates that personnel is being reduced, but can also express that the company is cutting overheads and expenditure in a variety of ways.
This is incorrect. "Downsizing" does not express that a company is going on a diet. To "go on a diet" means to eat less food or different foods in order to lose weight or for health reasons.
This is incorrect. "Downsizing" does not express that a company is "reducing their inventory".
This is incorrect. "Downsizing" does not express that a company is "discounting" their products.
Exercise 2
Harold Warbuckle mentions his accountant, Bernie Siegalman.
What has Siegalman advised Warbuckle to do?
What has Siegalman advised Warbuckle to do?
Harold Warbuckle mentions his accountant, Bernie Siegalman.
What has Siegalman advised Warbuckle to do?
What has Siegalman advised Warbuckle to do?
This is an incorrect choice. To "retire" is to stop working. Bruno's accountant is not encouraging him to stop working, but rather to legally declare that he has no money. There is no indication that Warbuckle's accountant finds him "incompetent" either.
This is an incorrect choice. Warbuckle's accountant makes no mention of Bruno Delavigne whatsoever. Warbuckle actually calls Bruno "a good partner", further evidence that he has no intention of ending his partnership with him.
This is the correct choice. Warbuckle tells Bruno that his accountant says that he "should consider filing for bankruptcy". To "file for bankruptcy" is to begin the administrative process of declaring that one has no more money. This process requires legal documentation. It is never mentioned in this scene whether Warbuckle will file for personal bankruptcy or corporate bankruptcy, though it seems more likely that Warbuckle will declare personal bankruptcy, as he hasn't mentioned his company's financial situation at this point.
This is an incorrect choice. To "downsize (a business)" is to make it smaller by reducing costs, and usually includes firing personnel. This is not what Warbuckle's accountant has advised him to do.
This is an incorrect choice. There is nothing in this dialogue which suggests that Warbuckle will "hire a lawyer" and "take Bruno to court". To "take someone to court" is to take legal action against them (in order to win a cash settlement, for example). Example: My mother took my father to court in order to win custody of my brother and me. This action is also described by the verb "to sue (someone)".
Exercise 3
Fill in the blanks with terms used in the conversation you have just heard.
This term means to reduce company costs, often by firing personnel. "Many European firms are being forced to in order to reduce their wage bill."
This term is synonymous with "prospect", "forecast" or "expectation" and describes a belief about the future. "Exporters to the Middle East face an uncertain ."
This term describes a rival company active in the same market. "Coca Schmola has begun a price war with its main , Pepschitt."
This term means to reduce company costs, often by firing personnel. "Many European firms are being forced to in order to reduce their wage bill."
This term is synonymous with "prospect", "forecast" or "expectation" and describes a belief about the future. "Exporters to the Middle East face an uncertain ."
This term describes a rival company active in the same market. "Coca Schmola has begun a price war with its main , Pepschitt."
Fill in the blanks with terms used in the conversation you have just heard.
This term means to reduce company costs, often by firing personnel. "Many European firms are being forced to downsize 1 in order to reduce their wage bill."
This term is synonymous with "prospect", "forecast" or "expectation" and describes a belief about the future. "Exporters to the Middle East face an uncertain outlook 2."
This term describes a rival company active in the same market. "Coca Schmola has begun a price war with its main competitor 3, Pepschitt."
This term means to reduce company costs, often by firing personnel. "Many European firms are being forced to downsize 1 in order to reduce their wage bill."
This term is synonymous with "prospect", "forecast" or "expectation" and describes a belief about the future. "Exporters to the Middle East face an uncertain outlook 2."
This term describes a rival company active in the same market. "Coca Schmola has begun a price war with its main competitor 3, Pepschitt."
1 downsize: "Downsizing" is the action of reducing the number of employees in order to reduce the wage bill (the amount paid in salaries), or to reduce costs in general. Icarus says that Kalvin Kline should "downsize" in order to "save $100M".
2 outlook: The "outlook" is the likely future situation or a belief about the future. Example: "The weather outlook for the weekend is stormy with snow on high ground." Nicola says that "the outlook for Delavigne is good" meaning that the future economic prospects for Delavigne are favorable.
3 competitor: In business, a "competitor" is a company that offers the same goods or services, and operates in the same market sector, it is usually referred to as a "rival" or "adversary". Nicola refers to Delavigne's "main competitor, Kalvin Krime".
Exercise 4
Harold Warbuckle mentions his accountant, Bernie Siegelman.
What has Siegelman advised Warbuckle to do?
What has Siegelman advised Warbuckle to do?
Harold Warbuckle mentions his accountant, Bernie Siegelman.
What has Siegelman advised Warbuckle to do?
What has Siegelman advised Warbuckle to do?
This is an incorrect choice. To "retire" is to stop working. Harold's accountant is not encouraging him to stop working, but rather to legally declare that he has no money. There is no indication that Warbuckle's accountant finds him "incompetent" either.
This is an incorrect choice. Warbuckle's accountant makes no mention of Bruno Delavigne whatsoever.
This is the correct choice. Warbuckle tells Bruno that his accountant says that he "should consider filing for bankruptcy". To "file for bankruptcy" is to begin the administrative process of declaring that one has no more money. This process requires legal documentation. It is never mentioned in this scene whether Warbuckle will file for personal bankruptcy or corporate bankruptcy, though it seems more likely that Warbuckle will declare personal bankruptcy, as he hasn't mentioned his company's financial situation at this point.
This is an incorrect choice. To "downsize (a business)" is to make it smaller by reducing costs, and usually includes firing personnel. This is not what Warbuckle's accountant has advised him to do.
This is an incorrect choice. There is nothing in this dialogue which suggests that Warbuckle will "hire a lawyer" and "take Bruno to court". To "take someone to court" is to take legal action against them (in order to win a cash settlement, for example). Example: My mother took my father to court in order to win custody of my brother and me. This action is also described by the verb "to sue (someone)".
Exercise 5
Listen to the audio, then fill in the blanks with the missing terms.
Nicola: What would you give to your main competitor, Kalvin Krime?
Icarus: ! They would save $100m if they just 15% of their workforce. They're just too big, like a big, fat, , old cow!
Icarus: ! They would save $100m if they just 15% of their workforce. They're just too big, like a big, fat, , old cow!
Listen to the audio, then fill in the blanks with the missing terms.
Nicola: What advice would you give to your main competitor, Kalvin Krime?
Icarus: Downsize ! They would save $100m if they just got rid of 15% of their workforce. They're just too big, like a big, fat, clumsy , old cow!
Icarus: Downsize ! They would save $100m if they just got rid of 15% of their workforce. They're just too big, like a big, fat, clumsy , old cow!
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