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This lesson will focus on using a variety of expressions related to competition.
Introduction:
This lesson will help you use these idioms describing competition. You will also have the chance to talk about your own experiences and share your opinions.
Warm Up:
What is your company's main competitive advantage?
Language:
Please match each image to an expression below. Your instructor has an example and a question regarding each expression.
- cut-throat—competing in a fierce and intense way.
- to play hardball—to behave in an unpleasant, threatening way so that you get what you want.
- two can play at that game—when someone does harm to you, you can do the same to them.
- the survival of the fittest—only the strongest people continue to exist or be successful.
- the law of the jungle—people who care only about themselves will be most likely to succeed.
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Practice:
A. Complete the anecdote
Read each section and choose an appropriate idiom from the list above.
- Business markets need tight regulations; otherwise, companies will do whatever they want and it will be…
- In this industry, companies are constantly trying to find ways to beat each other. The competition is…
- We will always take urgent action if one of our competitors tries to take some of our market share. If they make a move, well,…
- In a hostile takeover, the acquiring business will sometimes behave quite unpleasantly. It’s quite common for them…
- In any competitive industry, some companies will succeed and others will fail. It’s…
B. Discussion
Use idioms to discuss the following topics.
- How competitive is the industry in which you work?
- Are your main competitors expanding?
- How does your company react to changes made by its competitors?
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Images:
Henry Hustava via Unsplash
Daiji Umemoto via Unsplash
Vlad Sargu via Unsplash
Amin Hasani via Unsplash
David Clode via Unsplash