When the business struggles B1
The worried chat when work dries up — closures, layoffs, and deals falling through.
Closing down
close down — stop operating (business, shop, etc.)A: Did you hear about the gym?
B: Yeah, they had to close down last month. It's such a shame.
shut down — close a business or systemA: Why is the café dark today?
B: They shut down last week. Business was really slow.
lay off B2 — stop employingA: Did you hear about the factory?
B: Yeah, they laid off a lot of people. It's tough.
drop off B2 — decreaseA: How's your workload this month?
B: It dropped off a lot after the big project finished.
Deals collapsing
pull out — to leave or withdraw from an activity or agreementA: Are you still going to be in the tennis tournament?
B: No, I had to pull out because of an injury.
fall through B2 — fail to happenA: Did you get the new job?
B: No, the offer fell through at the last minute.
break down C1 — collapse negotiationsA: Did the peace negotiations make any progress?
B: Unfortunately, they broke down over the issue of territory.
More everyday phrasesB1 · everyday
turn down — rejectA: Did you get the job you applied for?
B: They offered it to me, but I turned it down.
do business — work commerciallyA: Are you still doing business with that supplier in Germany?
B: Yes, they’ve been great to work with.
Going furtherB2 · once the core feels easy
throw away B2 — waste an opportunityA: Did you apply for that job?
B: No, I forgot. I guess I threw away a great opportunity.
For nuanceC1 · for nuance
drag on C1 — continue tediouslyA: How was your lecture?
B: Honestly, it just dragged on. I kept checking the time, hoping it would end.
Hard times
Steve: Did you hear the warehouse is going to close down next month?
Donna: No way. Are they going to lay off the whole team?
Steve: Looks like it. Orders have really dropped off since spring.
Donna: That's rough. I hope they at least stand by the staff with decent notice.
The deal's off
Hugh: Bad news — the investors have pulled out of the deal.
Grace: After all that? So the whole thing's fallen through?
Hugh: Afraid so. Talks broke down over the price last night.
Grace: Well, that's months of work down the drain.