Episode overview

This week, Nestlé’s CEO was forced out after an internal investigation revealed he had crossed the line with a subordinate. The scandal came to light thanks to a whistleblower hotline, and the board quickly moved to replace him. In this episode of Phrasal Verb News, we look at what happens when leaders dip the pen in company ink — and we also learn many ways to talk about quitting, resigning, or getting fired in English.

What you will learn

💼 Ways to talk about ending a job in English:

• fired / sacked / canned – harsh, informal ways to say someone lost their job
• En español: despedido
• laid off / let go – softer terms, often used when it’s not the employee’s fault
• En español: recortado / despedido sin culpa
• resign / step down – formal ways to say you chose to leave
• En español: renunciar / dimitir
• quit – the direct way to say you left by choice
• En español: renunciar

🔑 Phrasal verbs and idioms from the story:

• come to light – to be revealed or discovered
• En español: salir a la luz / descubrirse
• whistleblower – a person who reports wrongdoing inside an organization
• En español: denunciante / informante
• cross the line – to behave in an unacceptable way
• En español: pasarse de la raya / cruzar la línea
• dip the pen in company ink – slang for starting a romantic relationship with a coworker (informal, tongue-in-cheek)
• En español: tener una relación con un compañero de trabajo

Practice prompts

• What’s the difference between being laid off and being fired?
• Can you think of a time when something came to light at your workplace?
• Do you think whistleblowers are well protected in your country?
• Have you seen a colleague cross the line in a meeting or negotiation?

Why listen?

This episode blends real business news with workplace English vocabulary, giving you useful phrases to describe quitting, resigning, or getting fired. You’ll also learn idioms you can apply in meetings, HR discussions, and everyday business conversations.

Connect

✉️ Email me at [email protected] for private or group classes.

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