Business English Bits Issue 240
The 10-min homework newsletter that supports your advanced business and English language learning through Youtube video reports and highlighting vocabulary ...
For the highlighted video report in today’s issue - 240 - we return to the enthusiastic CNBC - Make It channel, and to one of my favourite stories of the year.
Very few can put their hand on their heart* and say that they work in a sector that they truly love. At the end of the day, work is normally just work, and many of us are grateful just to be able to put bread on the table.
*To Put your hand on your heart (ph) - To speak honestly and sincerely
However, in today’s film we come across an interesting partnership who have decided to take on* the ownership of a drive-in movie theatre. Matt McClanahan has a profound love of the world of film and has always wanted the opportunity to be a part of the movie business. His partner Lauren McChesney had become a little burnt out in the medical sector and was also looking for a change and a challenge.
*To Take on (pv) - To accept responsibility or a task
The couple decided to put up* 1.05M$ and in 2022 purchased a drive-in cinema that had been on the market for a full five years. Soon after opening, the projector, the main piece of kit**, packed up*** and left them having to shut up shop**** for a short period of time. With no funds for reapers, Matt had to quickly master***** how to fix projectors. Weeks later, and only a small hit to reputation, the theatre was back up and running.
*To Put up (pv) - To provide or supply money for a project, investment, or activity
**Kit (n) - Set of tools, equipment
***To Pack up (pv) - To stop working
****To Shut up shop (ph) - To close a business for a period of time
*****To Master (v) - To become highly skilled or proficient in smth
The report has been carefully designed to show the complexity of running such an enterprise. Only four months of the year produce a profit, with June and July covering the costs of large parts of the rest of the year. The team are also dependent on the success of the films themselves. A blockbuster* could make or break** a quiet month in the winter.
*Blockbluster (n) - Highly successful movie, book
**To make or break (ph) - To determine whether smth will succeed or fail
Having such a huge commercial space, also allows the grounds to be rented out for fairs, concerts, markets and other activities, all of which help to balance the books*.
*To Balance the books (ph) - To make sure income and expenses are correctly recorded
At the end of the day, after paying the movie makers and covering other running costs, the drive-in actually turns in* quite a decent profit. But even if there isn’t huge money to be made in this sector during two thirds of the year, it’s wonderful to see the local community take advantage of such a space. It’s also nice to see two people who seem to be really enjoying their journey in the world of business and playing a small part in Hollywood’s success.
*To Turn in (pv) - To produce earnings
Focus on some key new verbs from the video …
VIDEO: CNBC Make It (8mins) - We Took Out A $1 Million Loan To Buy A Movie Theater
Key Words - (Smth = Something; Sb=Someone; Col=Colloquial)
Without further ado (ph) - Moving on without delay or extra introduction
Off and on (ph) - Happening occasionally, not continuous
Blueprint (n) - Clear plan or model for building or achieving smth
Double feature (film) - Showing two movies together for one ticket
To Skew (v) - To twist results or create bias
To Draw (use) (v) - To take or pull from a resource
Gut-wrenching (ph) - Extremely upsetting or painful
Crew (n) - Group of people working on the same task
To add up (pv) - To make sense or show a total
Mortgage (n) - Long-term loan for buying property
Roadblock (n) - Major obstacle stopping progress
Realtor (n) - Licensed professional who sells real estate
Down Payment (cn) - First partial payment on a big purchase
To Scrounge up (pv) - To gather smth with effort
Right off the bat (ph) - Immediately at the start
To set aside (pv) - To save or reserve for later
To Touch up (pv) - To make small fixes or improvements
Charm (n) - Pleasant or attractive quality
To Spruce up (pv) - To freshen or improve appearance
To Roll in (enter) (v) - To arrive or appear in large amounts
To Enhance (v) - To raise quality, value, or impact
Word of the Day … Guess the missing key word - Answer given below with examples!
Some new phrasal verbs to review …
Word of the Day Answer:
Uptake (n) - Make use of smth that is available
Examples:
“The rapid uptake of the new software exceeded the company’s expectations.”
“Marketing efforts improved customer uptake of the subscription service.”
I hope you’ve been able to learn something this issue of Business English Bits ….
Have a fantastic weekend, and see you next Saturday!
Kevin
