P2. Priority / Pushback / Pivotal / Provided that

1. Priority
: something that is very important and must be dealt with before other things:

ex) This provision clearly allowed contracting parties to give priority to human health over trade liberalization.
ex) The search for a new vaccine will take priority over all other medical research. 
ex) Is that really a priority? I think we've got bigger fish to fry.
ex) It is important, but it's just not my priority right now. 
ex) A young person who has finished the course will be given priority over one who has not. 
ex) If you've got a lot of things to do, sort out your priorities. 
ex) You need to sort out your priorities before making a decision about the future. 
ex) Right now, the environment is a high priority.
ex) We assign a high priority to research and development.

 

2. Pushback
: negative reaction to a change or to sth new that has been introduced.

 

ex) A: What's your take on the kiosk initiative?
      B: It's in the initial phases. All things considered, weighing the pros and cons, I think it's a great idea. 
      A: I think so, too, but there's been a bit of pushback. 
      B: There's always gonna be pushback.
ex) I got a lot of pushback when I pitched it, Morty.
ex) I don't anticipate a lot of pushback on that.
ex) The plan was abandoned because the pushback from the military was so strong.

ex) If a company proposes a new policy that isn't popular with employees, the company might receive "pushback" from the employees who disagree with or resist the proposed change.
ex) In politics, a politician might face pushback from voters or other politicians who oppose a policy they're trying to implement.

 

 

3. Pivotal
: extremely important and affecting how sth develops

ex) This is gonna be a pivotal year for me.
ex) Japan's pivotal role in the world economy
ex) China plays a pivotal role in the climate talks.
ex) You played a pivotal role in introducing that idea and really implementing it.
ex) You made this pivotal decision - I'm going to leave the law.
ex) In 2004, IBM made a pivotal decision to exit the personal computer business to focus on corporate technology services.

 

 

4. Provided / Provided that 
: If you say that something will happen provided or provided that something else happens, you mean that the first thing 
will happen only if the second thing also happens.

ex) You can make the change if you want, provided (that) the change makes sense.
ex) ILO conventions allow schoolchildren to work during their holidays and freetime provided that strict safety measures are taken.

ex) You're welcome to use the lab equipment for your research, provided that you've completed the mandatory safety training.
ex) We can expedite the shipping process provided that all the necessary documents are submitted without delay.
ex) I can extend the deadline for the project provided that all team members agree to this change.
ex) The bank will approve your loan provided that you can supply evidence of stable income and good credit history.