Golden parachute
Meaning: A large severance package guaranteed to top executives if they lose their position, especially during a merger or buyout.
A 'golden parachute' is a contractual guarantee that a CEO or top executive will receive millions of dollars if they're let go. It's often criticized as rewarding failure — executives get rich even if they're fired for poor performance. The term is used more broadly to mean any cushy exit deal.
Examples
- The CEO walked away with a $40 million golden parachute after the merger. 那位CEO带着4000万美元的金色降落伞(golden parachute)在合并后走人了。El director ejecutivo se marchó con un paracaídas dorado (golden parachute) de 40 millones de dólares tras la fusión.そのCEOは合併後に4,000万ドルのゴールデンパラシュートを手にして去った。그 CEO는 합병 후 4,000만 달러의 골든 파라슈트를 받고 떠났다.
- Golden parachutes are why people don't trust corporate America. 正是因为有金色降落伞,人们才不信任美国企业。Los paracaídas dorados son la razón por la que la gente no confía en las grandes corporaciones americanas.ゴールデンパラシュートがあるから人々は企業のアメリカを信用しない。골든 파라슈트 때문에 사람들이 미국 기업을 신뢰하지 않는 거야.
- She negotiated a golden parachute into her contract before accepting the job. 她在接受这份工作之前,就把金色降落伞条款写进了合同。Ella negoció un paracaídas dorado en su contrato antes de aceptar el puesto.彼女はその職を受ける前にゴールデンパラシュートを契約に盛り込ませた。그녀는 그 직책을 수락하기 전에 골든 파라슈트를 계약에 넣었다.
Pronunciation
Usage Guide
Context: business news, corporate culture, economics
Tone: critical, evaluative
✓ Do Say
- He landed with a golden parachute.他靠着金色降落伞安全着陆了。Cayó con un paracaídas dorado (He landed with a golden parachute).彼はゴールデンパラシュートで軟着陸した。그는 골든 파라슈트로 안전하게 착지했어.
- Golden parachutes are controversial.金色降落伞一直饱受争议。Los paracaídas dorados son polémicos (Golden parachutes are controversial).ゴールデンパラシュートは物議を醸している。골든 파라슈트는 논란이 많아.
✗ Don't Say
- Understood in professional settings — not strictly slang, it's standard business terminology在职场中广为人知——严格来说不算俚语,而是标准的商业术语Se entiende en entornos profesionales — no es estrictamente argot, es terminología empresarial estándarビジネスの場でも理解される——厳密にはスラングではなく、標準的なビジネス用語전문적인 자리에서도 통하는 표현 — 엄밀히 슬랭이 아니라 표준 비즈니스 용어다
Origin & History
Coined in the 1960s by executive compensation consultant Charles Pilaro. Became widely known during the corporate merger wave of the 1980s. Now standard business vocabulary for executive exit packages.
Cultural Context
Era: 1960s onwards, mainstream from 1980s
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
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