elevator pitch

American  

[el-uh-vey-ter pich] / ˈɛl əˌveɪ tər ˌpɪtʃ /

Also elevator speech

noun

1. a brief talk or pitch intended to sell or win approval for something, as a product or business proposal.

   a two-minute elevator pitch to a prospective investor.

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Etymology

Origin of elevator pitch

First recorded in 1995–2000; from the idea of persuading someone while on an elevator moving between floors

Example Sentences

As the contest to succeed Powell heated up last year, Warsh honed an elevator pitch tuned to Trump’s ears.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026

That Pritzker doesn’t have a natural feel for such material is a bit surprising given his history in venture capital, a cultural space that celebrates the visionary elevator pitch.

From Slate • Sep. 18, 2025

Asked to describe the sport in which he is a double world champion, Tomas Woods has it down to an elevator pitch: "It's basically BMX in a wheelchair."

From BBC • Sep. 10, 2025

Any new musical is a hard sell to investors, but especially one with an elevator pitch that’s slightly odd.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 27, 2025

Zoe Lister-Jones has the elevator pitch for "Slip," the new Roku series that she created, wrote, directed and stars in, down pat.

From Salon • May 9, 2023