Launching a New Product - Idioms in Context

Launching a New Product - Idioms in Context This short story focuses on the difficulties of launching a new product, or introducing a new idea. Learn from the definitions provided for the idioms and expressions introduced following the story and check your understanding with a short quiz. Make sure to read for gist the fist time. Launching a New Product - Story Trying to launch a new product can be a daunting task. In fact, its so hard that most people have no staying power and soon give up realizing that theyll have to cut their losses and accept defeat. There are many reasons for these difficulties, not least of which is that really new ideas often fly in the face of most peoples expectations. Just think back to the days before the cell phone. Im sure the company that created that first huge, heavy portable phone faced a lot of opposition to their product. Who ever thought wed end up carrying phones in our pockets that have also double as our personal digital assistants?!   In order to keep the ball rolling, an entrepreneur or anyone with a new idea will probably have to ruffle peoples feathers as the push for success. This ability to tilt at windmills is similar to the ability to completely ignore what, at the time, must seem like obvious advice. Its this knack for belief in spite of doubt that success hinges on. Without an almost religious conviction, its hard to continue with the order of the day of pushing your product. This is especially true when a CEO or some other important corporate know-it-all is looking daggers at you as they rake you over the coals for ever having thought of such a stupid idea. Then of course, there are those who throw a red herring into the conversation as you make your pitch to potential investors. However, in the end, you wont need to hard sell your product to those who get it. Theyll recognize your inspiration and throw caution to the wind to catch the train of your genius! Thats the day youll kick off your drive to succ ess. Definitions cut ones losses - accept that you have lost and quitfly in the face of something - be contrary to what some ideas seem to provehard sell something - try to force someone into buying something by making them believe that they need to buy it NOW!have no staying power - not be able to last a long timehinge on something - be dependent upon something else happeningkeep the ball rolling - continue supporting something by doing what is necessarykick off - begin something, usually some sort of business campaignlook daggers at someone - look at someone with intense hatredmake a pitch - introduce a business idea to someone, try to sell somethingorder of the day - the most important thing that needs to be done on an agendarake someone over the coals - strongly criticize someone for doing something wrongred herring - an argument which is introduced into a discussion to avoid talking about something more importantruffle someones feathers - insult someonethrow caution to the wind - take a chance d espite the risktilt at windmills - work against impossible odds, try to continue doing something that is hindered by others Idioms Quiz Lets keep ______________ on this project. I dont think we should quit just yet.Any artist will tell you that before success comes youll often feel as if are ______________.He had to accept defeat, ______________ his ______________ and close the business.  She ______________ her husband ______________ for his mistakes that cost them thousands.Im afraid that idea has ______________. Itll never work out.Stop ______________ me! I didnt do anything wrong, and I didnt mean to offend you.Peter knew that he was bringing a ______________ into the conversation, but he didnt want the project to move forward.Im afraid that ______________ everything I know. It cant be true.  Our success ______________ getting an investment in this project. Without funds, were lost.  Id like to ______________ at the next investors meeting. Do you think theyll have time to listen to my proposal? Quiz Answers the ball rollingtilting at windmillscut his lossesraked her husband over the coalslooking daggers atred herringflies in the face ofhinds onmake a pitch Learn more idioms in context with further stories.