Lesson 14: Taking Credit for Good Results

这节课是讲当项目完成结果好的时候，怎么表达自己和肯定别人做出的成绩。当你想表达成功做成某事的时候，可以说 pull something off 。当你想表达非常努力的时候，可以用hunker down。

这节课还有个很好用的习语，当别人夸你的时候，你可以谦虚地说all in a day’s work，这只是日常工作的一部分，大家要记住哦。

重点短语

(to) push the envelope 挑战极限

to go beyond what is normally done; to stretch the boundaries

Example: The design team pushed the envelope by creating a car powered entirely by the sun.

(to) pull something off 成功做成某事

to accomplish a difficult task; to successfully do something difficult

Example: We need to prepare and mail out 50,000 media kits by tomorrow. I don’t know how we’re going to pull it off!

(to) burn the midnight oil 熬夜

to stay up late working or studying

Example: The bank needs our financial statements completed by 9 a.m. tomorrow. We’re going to need to burn the midnight oil tonight to finish on time.

Origin: This expression dates back to the days before electricity, when oil lamps were used for lighting. People went to sleep earlier back then, so if you were still burning the oil at midnight, you were staying up late.

(to) keep one’s eye on the prize 把注意力放在收获上

to stay focused on the end result; to not let small problems get in the way of good results

Example: I know it’s difficult going to class after work, but just keep your eye on the prize. At the end of next year, you’ll have your MBA.

(to) hunker down 努力

to focus on work; to get ready to work hard, often involving a long period of time

Example: If you’re going to finish that report by Monday morning, you’d better hunker down over the weekend.

Note: This phrase also means to stay indoors or to take shelter when the weather turns bad. Example: There’s going to be a blizzard tonight. We’d better just hunker down.

around the clock 日以继夜地、连续一整天

non-stop; 24 hours a day

Example: When the company website went down, the IT department worked around the clock to fix it.

(to) pitch in 开始

to help; to contribute

Example: If we’re going to get these 3,000 crystal vases packaged and shipped by tomorrow morning, everybody’s going to need to pitch in.

all in a day’s work 日常工作

this is just part of the job; this is nothing unusual

Example: “You’ve come up with a plan to double our sales next quarter?” — “Yes, all in a day’s work.”

Note: You can say this when you have done something impressive, but you want to appear modest.

Lesson 14: Taking Credit for Good Results

When United Supply Company launches their website three weeks ahead of schedule, there’s more than one person ready to take credit.

Bob: Kurt, I’ve got great news for you. We’re pushing the envelope and launching our new website three weeks ahead of schedule.

Kurt: Wow, Bob, that’s a first for this company! How did you pull that off?

Bob: I burned the midnight oil over these past few weeks. I worked my tail off. Sometimes things would get tough, but I always kept my eye on the prize.

Tara: Let’s not forget about Jim in technical support. He really hunkered down these past few days, working around the clock.

Bob: Yeah, Jim’s a real team player. He helped a lot.

Kurt: Well, that’s not surprising. Jim’s always ready to pitch in.

Bob: Of course, you deserve a pat on the back too, Kurt. None of this would’ve been possible without your leadership.

Kurt: All in a day’s work. Providing great leadership comes with the territory. Well, time for some R&R. I’m off to Florida to play golf for a few days. See you next week!