Idioms
Here are 30 idioms related to advertising, along with examples of how to use them in conversational speech:
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Catchy jingle: A memorable and engaging musical tune used in advertisements.
Example: "The catchy jingle of that commercial keeps playing in my head all day." -
Sell like hotcakes: To sell quickly and in large quantities.
Example: "The new smartphone model is selling like hotcakes; it's in high demand." -
Put something on the map: To make something well-known or popular.
Example: "The advertising campaign put their brand on the map, and now everyone recognizes it." -
Hook, line, and sinker: To believe something completely, often used when someone falls for an advertisement.
Example: "The customers fell for the persuasive ad hook, line, and sinker, and the product sold out." -
Word of mouth: Informal communication or recommendations about a product or service, often from satisfied customers.
Example: "The restaurant gained popularity through word of mouth after many positive reviews." -
Eye-catching: Visually appealing and attention-grabbing.
Example: "Their billboard has an eye-catching design that stands out among others on the highway." -
Up in lights: To be prominently featured or showcased, often in the context of advertisements or promotions.
Example: "The new movie release was up in lights all over the city." -
A picture is worth a thousand words: The idea that an image can convey complex information more effectively than words.
Example: "Their advertising campaign relied on the concept that a picture is worth a thousand words." -
Bells and whistles: Additional features or attractive elements added to a product or advertisement.
Example: "The smartphone comes with all the bells and whistles, making it a top choice for tech enthusiasts." -
In the spotlight: To be the center of attention or focus, often used in the context of marketing or promotions.
Example: "The celebrity endorsement put the brand in the spotlight, attracting a lot of media attention." -
Blank check: To give unlimited resources or funds for an advertising campaign.
Example: "The company gave the marketing team a blank check to promote their new product." -
Hit the mark: To be successful or effective, especially in conveying a message through advertising.
Example: "Their emotional ad campaign hit the mark and resonated with the target audience." -
Branding iron: A powerful symbol or slogan that instantly identifies a brand.
Example: "Their iconic logo is like a branding iron; you can recognize their products from a distance." -
Slogan: A short and memorable phrase used to represent a brand or product.
Example: "The company's slogan is 'Empowering Your Future,' reflecting their mission." -
Bandwagon effect: The phenomenon where people tend to follow popular trends or adopt behaviors seen as successful.
Example: "The campaign used the bandwagon effect to show that everyone was using their product." -
Breaking the mold: To do something innovative or unconventional in advertising, departing from traditional approaches.
Example: "Their unique ad concept broke the mold of traditional commercials in the industry." -
In your face: An aggressive or bold advertising approach, often using shocking or direct messages.
Example: "Some ads can be too in your face, which may turn off potential customers." -
Plastered all over: To have advertisements displayed in many places or on various media platforms.
Example: "Their brand was plastered all over billboards, buses, and social media." -
Golden opportunity: A chance for great success or advantage in advertising or business.
Example: "The event was a golden opportunity for companies to showcase their products." -
Smoke and mirrors: Deceptive or misleading techniques used in advertising or marketing.
Example: "Some companies use smoke and mirrors to make their products seem more desirable than they actually are." -
Piggyback on: To leverage the success or popularity of something else to promote one's own brand or product.
Example: "The company decided to piggyback on the trending hashtag to gain more visibility." -
Beyond the pale: To go beyond what is considered acceptable or reasonable in advertising practices.
Example: "Their aggressive tactics were considered beyond the pale and led to customer complaints." -
Off the charts: Something that exceeds expectations or performs exceptionally well.
Example: "Their online ad campaign's engagement was off the charts; it went viral." -
Under the radar: Not attracting much attention or notice, often used when referring to unconventional advertising methods.
Example: "Their guerrilla marketing strategy operated under the radar, surprising passersby." -
Greenwashing: The deceptive practice of promoting a company or product as environmentally friendly when it is not.
Example: "Some brands engage in greenwashing to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers." -
Hard sell: A forceful or aggressive advertising approach aimed at persuading customers to make immediate purchases.
Example: "The salesman's hard sell tactics made me uncomfortable, so I didn't buy anything." -
Sitting duck: An easy target for criticism or negative reviews, often used regarding controversial advertisements.
Example: "Their ad campaign became a sitting duck for online backlash due to its insensitive content." -
Winning hearts and minds: To gain the trust and support of the public through effective advertising or marketing.
Example: "The charity's touching ad aimed at winning hearts and minds, encouraging more donations." -
Ad nauseam: To the point of becoming annoying or repetitive, often used to describe an ad seen too frequently.
Example: "The commercial played ad nauseam during the sports event, irritating viewers." -
Last-ditch effort: A final attempt or strategy when all other options have failed in advertising or marketing.
Example: "The company's last-ditch effort to boost sales involved massive discounts."
Feel free to use these idioms in your conversations about advertising to add depth and color to your discussions!