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

See Examples For:

elevator pitch

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

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

What’s your elevator pitch for what you’re going to be doing?

From Slate ● Nov. 5, 2024

“It’s about marriage, adultery and regular church attendance,” she whispered, clearly pleased with her pithy elevator pitch.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 21, 2024

The elevator pitch for the recipe is a really good one: With one little equipment swap, you can make a quicker, creamier bowl of oatmeal, and leave no stubborn pot soaking in the sink.

From Salon ● Feb. 5, 2023