Hello, Brew and Boost family!
I’m Luna, and together with Mimyo, we are back with another breakdown of real-world English.
Today’s topic is a bit of a shocker. We usually think of pizza as the ultimate comfort food that never goes out of style. However, according to the Morning Brew newsletter, the pizza industry is officially “getting cold.”
Why are Americans ordering fewer pies? Is it inflation? Health trends? In this lesson, we will explore the decline of the pizza empire and learn 5 advanced idioms that will help you discuss business trends and changing habits like a native speaker.
🎧 Today’s Dialogue
Read the conversation between Maya and Alex. Can you guess the meaning of the bolded expressions?
Maya: Did you see the latest stats? The pizza business is actually getting cold. Alex: Yeah, I read that. It seems pizzerias are losing ground in the fast-food market. Maya: I guess with inflation, Americans are forced to pull back on their favorite tomato pies. Alex: It’s definitely a sign of the times; people are choosing cheaper or healthier bowls now. Maya: And it’s not just customers leaving; the number of actual shops is thinning out across the country. Alex: That’s wild, considering pizza used to be king. Maya: Honestly, looking at the menu prices lately, it’s nudging me to cook at home too. Alex: Don’t say that! I’m still doing my part and ordering a pepperoni tonight.
💡 Expression Spotlight
Here is your deep dive into today’s key phrases.
1. Losing ground
- Simple Meaning: To fall behind / 입지가 좁아지다, 밀려나다
- Deep Dive: This idiom comes from military history. Imagine an army being pushed back by the enemy—they literally “lose the ground” they were standing on. In business or sports, we use it when a person or company that used to be a leader is now slipping backward because competitors are stronger.
- Examples:
- “The champion is tired and losing ground in the final round.” (챔피언은 마지막 라운드에서 지쳐서 밀리고 있습니다.)
- “Our company lost ground to competitors in the Asian market.” (우리 회사는 아시아 시장에서 경쟁사들에게 입지를 빼앗겼습니다.)
2. Pull back on
- Simple Meaning: To reduce or decrease / ~을 줄이다, 자제하다
- Deep Dive: This phrasal verb suggests a strategic or necessary reduction. It is softer than saying “stop” or “quit.” You often use it when discussing budgets (spending less) or habits (consuming less for health).
- Examples:
- “We need to pull back on unnecessary spending this month.” (이번 달에는 불필요한 지출을 줄여야 합니다.)
- “He decided to pull back on his criticism during the meeting.” (그는 회의 중에 비판을 자제하기로 했습니다.)
3. Sign of the times
- Simple Meaning: A trend of the era / 시대의 흐름, 시대적 징후
- Deep Dive: This is a set phrase used to explain why changes are happening. It implies that a specific event isn’t random, but rather a reflection of the current culture or economic situation. It often carries a tone of resignation (accepting things as they are).
- Examples:
- “Empty shopping malls are a sign of the times.” (텅 빈 쇼핑몰은 시대의 흐름을 보여줍니다.)
- “Working from home is just a sign of the times.” (재택근무는 단지 시대적 변화의 징후일 뿐입니다.)
4. Thin out
- Simple Meaning: To become fewer / (수가) 줄어들다, 듬성듬성해지다
- Deep Dive: This phrase is very visual. Imagine a dense forest; if you cut down every other tree, the forest “thins out.” You can use this for crowds of people, traffic on the road, or even hair. It describes density decreasing over time.
- Examples:
- “The heavy traffic usually thins out after 8 PM.” (교통 체증은 보통 저녁 8시 이후에는 풀립니다.)
- “My patience is starting to thin out.” (내 인내심이 바닥나고 있어.)
5. Nudge
- Simple Meaning: To gently encourage / 슬쩍 찌르다, 유도하다
- Deep Dive: Literally, a “nudge” is a gentle push with your elbow. Figuratively (especially in economics/psychology), it refers to influencing someone’s decision in a subtle way without forcing them. You guide them toward a “better” choice.
- Examples:
- “The app nudges me to drink water every hour.” (그 앱은 매시간 물을 마시도록 알림을 보냅니다.)
- “I nudged him to apply for the promotion.” (나는 그에게 승진 심사에 지원해 보라고 슬쩍 권했습니다.)
🧠 Luna’s Quiz Answer
In the podcast, I asked Mimyo a tricky question.
Q: Which day of the year sees the HIGHEST pizza sales in the US?
- A) Super Bowl Sunday
- B) Halloween
- C) New Year’s Eve
The Answer is B) Halloween! 🎃 While football fans love pizza, busy parents need a quick, easy meal before trick-or-treating. That volume makes Halloween the #1 pizza day, with Super Bowl usually coming in second.
