give an elevator

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "give an elevator" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to refer to providing an elevator pitch or a brief summary, but as it stands, it lacks context and clarity. Example: "In your presentation, make sure to give an elevator pitch to summarize your main points quickly."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

We have everybody give an "elevator speech".

The New York Times

"Any SME from the photonics field and seeking funding can apply to give an elevator pitch.

Nature

Midway through the program, teams will give an elevator pitch to a small panel and get feedback on their venture idea.

Stanford University

Following engineering practice, students must come up with a design concept, sell it (give an elevator pitch that explains what they want to build and why), and then provide a comprehensive design review, explained Gaillard.

Princeton University

Guest post: We've given Europe's tech video bloggers a mission to hunt down European startups every Friday and get them to give an elevator pitch.

TechCrunch

“You hear that most people have 20 seconds to give an elevator pitch on their business ideas,” says Ryan Tseng, a 23-year-old who has already founded a company that makes wireless power systems for consumer electronics.

Forbes

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Nacole Buyck is standing in front of an audience of hiring managers, giving an elevator pitch about herself.

Harvard Business Review

I found myself giving an elevator speech on why a young person should join a professional services organization such as Accenture –instead of a nongovernmental organization, a university or a startup.

Forbes

You think Hemingway would have given an elevator pitch at a 7 30 A.M. meet-the-agents session?

HuffPost

Since I am not completely familiar with PNC's investment process and discipline, could you give a an elevator paragraph on it?

Forbes

Writers attending my panel are invited to give a brief "elevator pitch" of their book proposals to the panel, which includes leading editors, literary agents, and other publishing-world experts.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Instead of using the ambiguous phrase "give an elevator", clarify your intention. If you mean to present a concise summary, use phrases like "deliver an elevator pitch" or "provide a brief overview". If you're talking about elevator access, use "provide elevator access".

Common error

Avoid using "give an elevator" without specifying whether you mean an elevator pitch or physical elevator access. The phrase is ambiguous and can confuse your audience. Always clarify your intent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "give an elevator" is grammatically questionable. As noted by Ludwig AI, it lacks clarity and doesn't convey a clear meaning in written English. Examples from Ludwig show it used in contexts where the intended meaning is either delivering an elevator pitch or providing elevator access.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "give an elevator" is grammatically incorrect and lacks clarity. As Ludwig AI points out, it's better to use more specific and accurate phrases like "deliver an elevator pitch" when referring to a concise presentation or "provide elevator access" when referring to the availability of an elevator. Although examples exist in various contexts such as news, academia, and business, using more precise language will enhance communication and avoid confusion. When giving your "elevator pitch", remember, the goal is to be clear and concise and not to cause ambiguity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

deliver an elevator pitch

Replaces the generic "give" with the more specific "deliver", focusing on the act of presenting.

provide an elevator

Substitutes "give" with "provide", suggesting the action of making an elevator available.

present a concise summary

Avoids the elevator metaphor entirely, focusing on the core idea of a short summary.

offer a brief overview

Similar to presenting a concise summary but emphasizes the overview aspect.

make an elevator available

Focuses on the action of ensuring access via an elevator.

recite an elevator speech

Focuses on the act of delivering an elevator pitch, emphasizing the memorized aspect.

perform a quick synopsis

Highlights the rapid nature of the summary.

share a short summary

Emphasizes the act of distributing information concisely.

articulate a brief outline

Focuses on clearly expressing a structured summary.

render a concise explanation

Highlights providing a brief but clear account.

FAQs

What is the correct way to refer to a short persuasive speech?

The correct way to refer to a short persuasive speech is an "elevator pitch". This term implies a brief summary that can be delivered in the time it takes for an elevator ride.

How can I say "provide elevator access" in a different way?

You could say "make an elevator available" or "ensure elevator service" to convey the same meaning as providing access to an elevator.

What's the best way to start an elevator pitch?

The best way to start an elevator pitch is with a hook that grabs the listener's attention, followed by a clear statement of the problem you solve or the opportunity you address. Then briefly introduce your solution and value proposition.

Which is correct, "give an elevator pitch" or "deliver an elevator pitch"?

Both "give an elevator pitch" and "deliver an elevator pitch" are acceptable, but "deliver an elevator pitch" is more formal and commonly used.