Phrases & Expressions

A meeting held at the beginning of a new project or initiative.

• The kickoff meeting is scheduled for next Tuesday.
• Everyone attended the project's kickoff meeting.

To give money, help, or time to a cause or event.

• He made a generous contribution to the charity.
• Everyone in the group made a valuable contribution to the project.

A polite way to introduce your recommendation or opinion.

• My advice would be to wait.
• My advice would be to accept the offer.

Said by a pilot to confirm that he or she is taking over control of the aircraft from the other pilot.

• My controls, I have control.
• Say 'my controls' when you take over.

Said officially and publicly, so that it can be reported and the speaker can be named.

• The manager spoke on the record, so the reporter could use her name.
• He agreed to go on the record with his statement.

A status indicating that a patent application has been filed but not yet granted.

• The device is patent pending.
• The box says 'patent pending' under the product name.

To start talking about an important matter so it can be discussed.

• She raised the issue of pay during the meeting.
• Several people raised the same issue.

To reach an agreement, especially after a dispute or negotiation.

• The two companies reached a settlement before the case went to court.
• They are trying to reach a settlement without lawyers.

A short talk given to a group about safety rules and procedures.

• We had a safety briefing before starting work.
• The safety briefing covered emergency exits.

To give official approval to something, often by signing a document.

• The director signed off on the final budget.
• Please sign off on these reports by Friday.