Everyone likes a bit of a chat at the beginning of a meeting, but when it’s time to get started, use these key phrases:

每个人都喜欢在会议开始前聊点什么，但是要开始，请使用以下关键词组：

To get the ball rolling

Definition¹: To get the meeting or discussion² started.

含义：让会议/讨论开始

Example: “OK, everyone. Let’s get the ball rolling. Come and sit down and we’ll start the meeting.”

例句：好了各位，我们开始吧。来，请坐，会议要开始了。

To open with

Definition: To begin by talking about a certain topic.

含义：开始谈论某一特定的话题

Example: “Let’s open with a summary of what each of you has achieved this week.”

例句：首先从你们本周完成的工作总结开始。

To hand over to

Definition: To introduce another speaker.

含义：介绍另外一位演讲人

Example: “I’d like to hand over to Dave to explain our plans for the next quarter.”

例句：我想接下来15分钟由戴夫来解释我们的计划。

On the agenda³

Definition: Something on the plan to be discussed.

含义：计划讨论某事

Example: “Today, the first item on the agenda is to decide on a new supplier.”

例句：今天，议程的第一项是决定新的供应商。

To get down to business

Definition: To talk about the most important issues.

含义：讨论最重要的议题

Example: “It’s time to get down to business. How much will this cost and how much time will it save me?”

例句：现在言归正传，花费是多少？节省的时间有多少？

To kick off

Definition: To get started.

含义：开始

Example: “Let’s kick off by reviewing the results of our last campaign.”

例句：首先从回顾我们上次活动的成果开始。

To take the minutes

Definition: To take notes on everything that was said and agreed on in that meeting.

含义：记录在会议上说过、同意的事。

Example: “It’s my turn to take the minutes, so please let me know if there’s anything special you want me to make a note of.”

例句：轮到我来做记录了。如果你有特别想让我记录的，请告诉我。

To help remember these phrases, try writing an introduction to a meeting using all of them. Imagine you are in a weekly meeting with your colleagues. How many of these expressions could you use?

为了帮助记忆这些词组，尝试用上这些词组，写一篇会议介绍。想象你和同事在日常的会议上。你能用上哪些表达呢？