Idioms & Slang 08: Finding a New Job

For years I'd been slaving away at a nickel and dime job. In order to keep my head above water, I worked overtime quite a lot. Normally I am a workaholic but I was working my fingers to the bone just to make ends meet. Unfortunately after working years for peanuts, I was given the ax because the company I worked for went belly up. Now, I'm out pounding the pavement looking for work hoping to land a job. I do have a few connections and I'm hoping that they can pull a few strings for me. So far, nothing has panned out, but hopefully soon I'll be able to get my foot in the door of a new company and show my stuff.

VOCABULARY

to slave away - to work very hard

nickel and dime - not worth very much

to keep one's head above water - just barely able to survive financially

to work overtime - to do extra hours at work for extra pay

a workaholic - someone who loves working

to work one's fingers to the bone - to work very, very hard

to make ends meet - to make just enough money to pay all the bills and expenses

for peanuts - very little money

to be given the ax - to be fired or layed off

to go belly up - to go out of business, to go bankrupt, to fail

to pound the pavement - to be looking for a job, to be job hunting

to land a job - to get hired, to find a job

to have connections - to know important people in a company or organization

to pull a few strings - to have influence or control over someone

to pan out - to succeed

to get one's foot in the door - to get the opportunity to start working in a company

to show one's stuff - to show what you are able to do