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Hello everyone and welcome to E-com Business Idiom 50,
where we'll go over 50 common idioms used in the business place.
All of the explanations are in English, but don't worry, listen carefully
and try to imagine what the idioms might mean.
It may take a while, but hang in there and try hard.
Is everyone ready? Let's begin.
Today's idiom is: close the books on something.
Close the books on something.
Alright, so let's imagine you are reading a book, okay?
And you close the book.
It's finished.
No more reading the book.
It's closed.
Let's listen to some examples as we have this image of a closed book in our heads.
Have you finished processing our 2009 expenses?
Yes, we can go ahead and close the books on it.
Oh, good. And how did the figures look?
A bit high, but overall we stayed within the budget.
Alright, so they closed the books on the finances, on the expenses of last year.
We need to discuss whether or not it is beneficial to keep Mr. Smith employed with us.
We really can't forget the three failed projects he cost us.
So, are you suggesting it's time to close the books on him?
I'm afraid so. We should go ahead and give him his severance notice.
Alright, so their employee had many mistakes and they closed the books on him.
Good-bye!
Alright, so if you guessed it, 'close the books on something' means to finish it, take it out of the picture.
It's done.
Close the books on something.
Alright, I hope you will not close the books on studying English.
Keep those books open, keep studying and I'll see you next time!