Summary
Highlights
This video is the 72nd installment in the American Idioms series, presenting five new idioms from number 356 to 360. Viewers are encouraged to pause the video to guess the meanings before the answers and additional examples are provided.
The idiom 'to cave in' means to submit, concede, or yield to someone or something. An example is given where a governor caved in to demands for his resignation after a political scandal, meaning he conceded to those demands. Another example shows a company's management refusing to cave in to union demands, leading to a potential strike.
'To sever ties with someone or something' means to terminate or end an agreement or a relationship. The video illustrates this with a company ending its relationship with an old supplier due to product defects. Another example describes Alex severing ties with his family due to childhood problems.
To put something 'on the back burner' means to put something on hold or suspend it temporarily. An example is given where a boss puts a new product idea on the back burner until after the holidays. Another example describes delaying house painting due to extra work, thus putting it on the back burner.
'To ramp up something' signifies increasing the volume, amount, or rate of something. The video uses the example of a mayor ramping up security in a downtown area due to increased crime. Another illustration is a company ramping up production of its products two months before Christmas to meet holiday demand.
The idiom 'to stay ahead of the pack' means to be more successful than one's competitors, essentially to lead the pack. An example highlights new employees enabling a company to stay ahead of its competitors. Another example shows a large advertising campaign helping a company remain a leader in its industry for five years.