Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[hanygeorge38]

Dear Bud,

In the following example taken from the cobuild dictionary of idioms which is used to explain the idiom (gravy train)

- Software companies realise that the gravy train can not go on for much longer. cut-throat competetion in the recession is sending computer prices tumbling.

what is meant here by (cut throat competetion and tumbling) ?

Anthor example

- The broadroom gravy train continued to roll happily along yeaterday.with news of pay off and awards to three ececutives totally nearly 104 million pounds.

what is meant here by the following :

- broadroom - roll happily along - pay off

Hany
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hany

[bud]

Hi Hany,

cut-throat competition - This is very intense competition. It's meant as a metaphor; your competitors will cut your throat with a knife if they have to in order to win - they'll do whatever they have to do to gain an advantage.

tumbling - When prices are tumbling, they are falling sharply and quickly.

broadroom - It must be a typo for boardroom, a reference to the board of directors.

roll happily along - to continue with no interference, trouble, etc. - nothing is causing it to slow down

pay off - This has several meanings. It could be a bribe, or you might decide to pay off your car loan if you have enough money to do it... In this example, it's referring to overcompensation of top executives - much more salary and benefits than they seem to deserve.

Hope that helps.

[ngoue]

hi.very happy to know you.i'm very keen in learning idioms and sometimes i find that a piece of cake.Now talking about the idiom you asked for any help i think i can give first the meaning of this one:

CUT YOUR OWN THROAT
It means that to do something because you are angry even if it will cause trooble for you.
EX:if Zidane won't play with the national team,he's cutting his own throat

se you again
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you bear false witness

[Blossom]

Is there an expression To cut your own throat? It sounds strange to me. I have heard of cutting off your nose to spite your face, but not cutting your own throat.

And what is a gravy train?

Help please.

[bud]

Both expressions are common, and they are roughly equivalent.

A gravy train is a situation where someone receives a lot of reward (usually financial) with little effort or merit.

[Blossom]

Thank you Bud.

Where does the gravy train leave from? I would like to take a ride on it.

[bud]

You need very good connections. Otherwise we'd all be on it.