to perfunctorily assure completion of a task, suggesting that the substance of the activity is less important than the impression it gives to others, as in “Just make sure you check the box on the fourth quarter analysis before you send the report”; alternatively this metaphorical phrase can refer to the need to validate that all elements have been covered, ensuring no smaller details have been forgotten; related to the pejorative term box-checking exercise, used to describe bureaucratic or oppressive work

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a term used to describe the situation in which an individual is completely unresponsive to repeated electronic contacts (e.g., e-mails, telephone calls), as in, “I sent Janice two emails and a text yesterday but it’s just been radio silence from her”; derives from the military or maritime practice of stopping all radio communications for a set time, for instance to maintain operational secrecy; evokes the feeling of vague unease or dread that occurs in aviation when an airborne craft is incommunicado; this condition leads those who are attempting contact to speculate as to the cause of the subject’s inability or unwillingness to respond; in recent years this phenomenon is disappearing, as the prevalence of always-connected, omnipresent electronic devices makes it very difficult for anyone to be totally out of reach; can also refer to someone whose public communications (e.g., social media) have become dormant, usually for an unknown reason

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(noun) not to be confused with a thespian production, but often used by those with a flair for the theatrical, this term refers generically to a strategic initiative or action in a competitive environment, as in: “We’re making a strong play in the high-end market” or “There’s definitely a big play in the Asian space”; may derive from sports like American football in which formations are designed in advance and utilized when the particular circumstances require

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(verb) an extremely obscure term meaning to make consistent progress at a steady and sustainable rate; refers to the arcade game that was extremely popular in the 1980s, in which the titular Pac-Man moved at a consistent speed that could not be changed by the player, steadily consuming dots; for example: “I’ve got a whole quarter’s worth of reports to compile so I’m just going to Pac-Man through them all evening”; not to be confused with the Pac-Man defense, in which the target of a hostile takeover turns around and attempts to swallow up its antagonist, as when the roles of Pac-Man and the pursuing ghosts are temporarily reversed through the former’s consumption of a power pellet

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a seemingly innocuous phrase often but not always used to subtly introduce disagreement or skepticism without appearing combative, as in: “Help me understand why you think that’s the right move”; has the strong implication that the recipient’s point of view is unconvincing to the user of this statement; generally stated by an individual of higher rank to a subordinate, the latter of which will then be responsible for providing further information to the interlocutor’s satisfaction; “help me understand” can be the coup de grâce if someone is already flailing in attempts to justify his or her position

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to act in such a way that some resources remain available for when later needs arise; in the case of sales, for instance, this could mean not aggressively pursuing all potential leads in a target company at once, leaving a remainder that can be approached in leaner times, as in “Let’s not contact every VP this round, we want to leave some fruit on the tree”; alternatively the phrase can mean to intentionally omit something due to prioritization of other issues, in this way potentially avoiding boiling the ocean, as in “We don’t have to analyze every single customer demographic before we set our prices, it’s okay to leave some fruit on the tree”; related to juice not worth the squeeze, in which something is left undone due to minimal expected payoff

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a specific task or challenge that will be especially difficult, particularly in comparison to related work that must also be completed; for example: “Getting the Asia-Pacific region to sign off on the global sales approach will be a tough row to hoe”; comes from the traditional preparation of farmland using an implement to till the soil and create regular furrows in advance of seeding; during this process certain areas would require more effort due to the presence of rocks, weeds, or other irregularities; this phrase serves as an alternate version of tough putt, for those more agriculturally-inclined, and may not be fully comprehended by listeners far removed from pastoral settings

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(chiefly British) to perform an action that will cause extreme agitation, nervousness, discord, or other states characterized by frantic activity; such an action is unlikely to have a productive outcome unless chaos itself is the desired end, as in: “I wouldn’t send the cost-cutting consultants out to meet the rank-and-file unless you want to set the cat among the pigeons”; evokes the terror of defenseless birds when faced with the sudden nearness of their deadliest enemy; can be done intentionally as a power-demonstrating move by those who have less of it than they think

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to be caught in an accelerating process of imminent collapse or failure, as with objects in the swirling flow of water at the bottom of a sink or tub that is nearly empty; in a business context the phrase is usually applied to a company that is nearing bankruptcy; recognition that an organization is circling the drain can lead to increasing desperation as employees with alternatives flee as quickly as possible and suppliers and customers demand increasingly onerous terms or cease transacting entirely, all of which serve to hasten the company’s demise

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when an individual previously opposed to a certain initiative, approach, strategy, etc., is suddenly charged with maintaining and advancing it, usually as a result of personnel changes; in organizations this is often the case when a new leader is appointed who suddenly has responsibility for the activities started by his or her predecessor; evokes the image of an outlaw prone to furtively sniping animals in a preserve now given the job of ensuring their protection from others who would do the same; the mindset shift that accompanies such a change in roles can make clear to the new “gamekeeper” how easy it is to detract from something, in comparison to building it up

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