NEWSPAPER

trivial matters

sales pitch

a talk or a way of talking that is intended to persuade you to buy something:

I didn't want to listen to his sales pitch.

impresario

a person who runs a business arranging different types of public entertainment, such as theatre, musical, and dance events:

a music/theatre impresario

do someone a good turn

to do something kind that helps someone else:

I was only trying to do her a good turn.

a good… (or a good…’s)

more than:

It's a good half hour's walk to the station from here.

ancillary

additional, or providing additional support or help:

In the last ten years or so we have developed a number of ancillary services, which have grown out of our core business.

ancillary staff/workers

scores

a lot of things or people:

scores of Sean received cards from scores of local well-wishers.

Witnesses claim scores of civilians died in the attack.

Scores of volunteers have worked around the clock to save the birds.

stunt double

someone who performs stunts (= exciting dangerous actions) instead of an actor in a film or television programme:

They put in stunt doubles for the climactic fight scene.

macho

(a). behaving forcefully or showing no emotion in a way traditionally thought to be typical of a man:

skim something/ someone off

to secretly take money that is in your care or that belongs to an organization or business you work for :

He got caught skimming off funds from the charity.

squeamish

easily upset or disgusted by things or actions you find unpleasant:

Dad was squeamish about killing roaches.

test the waters

to find out whether something is likely to be successful before you do or try it:

Candidates like to test the waters before running for office.

unprecedented

unparalleled, unmatched, unheard-of, novel, and extraordinary

gloss over something

to avoid considering something, such as an embarrassing mistake, to make it seem not important, and to quickly continue talking about something else:

She glossed over the company's declining profits.

The documentary glossed over some important issues.

make a (big) difference

make all the difference

He's much happier now – his new school seems to have made a big difference.

deal a blow to someone/something

(deal someone/something a blow)

to cause someone or something, usually a plan or hope, to fail or to be affected very badly:

The airline industry's difficulties have dealt a heavy blow to already struggling airports in the region.

Extreme weather conditions have dealt a serious blow to agriculture across the state.

cut no ice with someone

to not cause someone to change their opinion or decision:

I've heard her excuses and they cut no ice with me.