elevator pitch

[ el-uh-vey-ter pich ]

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of elevator pitch¹

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

Example Sentences

Attendees can virtually “raise their hand” as soon as our virtual doors open and throw their hat in the ring for an opportunity to make a 2-minute elevator pitch.

From TechCrunch

The elevator pitch for How to With John Wilson could’ve been something like “Nathan for You meets Humans of New York,” especially since Nathan Fielder serves as an executive producer and the show’s most high-profile champion.

From Ars Technica

Or you could go with the Hollywood elevator-pitch approach—you know, "X movie meets Y movie."

From The Daily Beast

Clearly, during their first trip to America, the Afghan women had learned to polish their elevator pitch—and to mingle.

From The Daily Beast