Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 3rd Edition

carve sth out (for yourself) phrasal verb

to successfully create or get something, especially a work position, by working for it
He hopes to carve out a niche for himself as a leading researcher in his field of study.
She carved out a reputation for herself as an aggressive businesswoman.

decisive adjective
1.

able to make decisions quickly and confidently, or showing this quality

You need to be more decisive.
a decisive reply
2. strongly affecting how a situation will progress or end
These results could prove decisive in establishing the criminal's identity.
a decisive role
a decisive victory
open the door to sth
to make something possible
These discussions may well open the door to a peaceful solution.

drastic adjective
(especially of actions) severe and sudden or having very noticeable effects
drastic measures
Many employees have had to take drastic cuts in pay.

fed up adjective [after verb ] INFORMAL

bored, annoyed or disappointed, especially by something that you have experienced for too long
I'm fed up with my job.
He got fed up with all the travelling he had to do.

jobshare verb [I ] UK
to divide the duties and the pay of one job between two people who work at different times during the day or week

jobsharing noun [U]

The city council is encouraging jobsharing to make it easier for parents of young children to work.

lay sb off phrasal verb [M often passive ]

to stop employing someone, usually because there is no work for them to do
Because of falling orders, the company has been forced to lay off several hundred workers.

layoff , lay-off noun

1. [C often plural] when someone stops employing someone, sometimes temporarily, because there is no money to pay them or
because there is no work for them
The recent economic crisis has led to massive layoffs.
2. [C usually singular] a period when someone is not working
Foster is playing again after a six-week layoff due to injury.

maternity leave noun [U ]

a period in which a woman is legally allowed to be absent from work in the weeks before and after she gives birth

put sth together phrasal verb [M ]

1.

to put the parts of something in the correct places and join them to each other
Model aeroplanes come in pieces which you have to put together.
2. to prepare a piece of work by collecting several ideas and suggestions and organizing them
The management are putting together a plan/proposal/package to rescue the company.
It takes about three weeks to put the magazine together.

take sth up phrasal verb [M ] START

2.

to start doing a particular job or activity

He's taken up the post of supervisor.
[+ -ing verb] Have you ever thought of taking up acting?
Ian took up (= continued) the story where Sue had left off.

Cambridge University Press 2008

Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary - 3rd Edition

3.

take up office
to start an official job
The minister took up office in December.

Cambridge University Press 2008