The expression cornered the market means to have control over something in the sense that customers can only buy from you. It is used to explain the dominant position a company has in the market for a particular service or product that they sell. Here are some examples:

1. They cornered the market on gold bullion.
2. I think our service is so good, it will help us corner the market.
3. We can not be in a position that will be perceived as cornering the market or the government will take action.

Popularity: 36%

The phrase “as a last resort” refers to the final option someone will take to achieve a desired result. It is used to express what will happen after all other choices have been made. Here is an example:

• Your Boss: So how will you handle the US immigration bill if it is defeated?
• You: If the US Senate defeats President Bush’s planned overhaul of the immigration policy, as a last resort we will utilize the millions of immigrants seeking legal status to boost support for the final vote.

Popularity: 39%

The word underdog refers to a weaker person, group or thing. It is most often used in sports to describe the weaker player or team like

1. “The Philadelphia Eagles are the undergood in this Super Bowl.”
2. “Mike Tyson may be the underdog in this fight, but what a fight he will give tonight.”

It also can be used like this “I am rooting for the underdog.”

Underdog was also a cartoon character appearing in America starting in the 60’s on Saturday mornings. It essentially was a dog version of Superman.

Popularity: 41%

The word mirrors was used in the Monday, June 25 article titled “MBA students find a divine perspective4 on global poverty” in the sentence “The interest by students such as Vanderbilt’s in finding business solutions to poverty mirrors what is going on outside campus walls.”
The word mirrors means to copy or duplicate. In this sentence, it means the same thing is happening in the real world (i.e. outside campus -> university).

Popularity: 40%

If you ever thought that the phrase give it a shot means to shoot something with a gun, you are partially correct. The phrase means to try as in give it a try. In Japanese it would be like saying tameshite miru　（ためしてみる）.
“Give it a shot” is different from “call the shots“.

Popularity: 40%