Idiomatic American English - Lesson 61+62 - Thấm Tâm Vy

TQT EXTRA COURSE ~ GRADE TEST No.

IDIOMATIC AMERICAN ENGLISH 31

Lesson 61. Pulling Strings Dialogue

Bernie: There's a job opening in my company. It would suit you to a T. Harold: Could you pull some strings to get me hired? Bernie: I can't. My hands are tied. Harold: Don't you know anyone who could throw his weight around? Bernie: What about your brother? He's a big shot. Maybe he could put in his two cents. Harold: Asking him is wasting my breath. I think I'll have to make my own way.

Vocabulary

- to a T adv.) perfectly, exactly - pull strings v.) secretly use influence and power - One's hands are tied. One is unable to help. - throw one's weight around v.) use one's influence in a showy manner - big shot n.) important person - put in one's two cents v.) give one's opinion - waste one's breath v.) speak or argue with no result - make one's own way v.) rely on one's own abilities

PRACTICE

I. Completethe serutences with the correct idiom.

a) throw his weight around b) make his own way c) my hands are tied f) put in his two cents g) wasting your breath h) big shot d) to a T e) pull some strings

1. He always has something to say. No one asked him to.............. 2. He had no help from anyone. He had to.............. 3. He has a lot of money and influence. He's a.............. 4. You want Japanese food? Terrific. That suits me.............. 5. I don't want to pay that parking ticket. My uncle is a judge. Maybe.............. 6. I would like to lend you money but we just bought a house and car. .............. 7. He is always showing how important he is. He makes promises to everyone. He likes to.............. 8. When you try to advise teenagers what to do, you are.............. II. Reurite the phrases in italics, using the proper idiomatic expression. 1. He always worked hard. Nobody ever helped him. 2. He always has to give his opinion. 3. That suit fits you perfectly. 4. He'll use his influence to help his family. 5. He likes to use his power. 6. He's a very important person. 7. I wanted him to help me with the meeting, but he's too busy, and can't.

8. He drives his car too fast, but when you tell him he'll get a ticket, he doesn't listen.

Lesson 62. Behind the 8-Ball Dialogue

Chris: I'm behind the 8-ball. Ben: What did you do wrong now? Chris: I have so much work. I can't make a dent in it' Ben: Maybe if you'd buckle down, you wouldn't be up to your ears in work' Chris: My job is no bed of roses and my boss is off his rocker. Ben: You'd better watch your P's and Q's before you get canned.

Vocabulary

- behind the 8-ball adj.) in trouble - make a dent in v.) make progress - buckle down v.) study or work very hard - up to one's ears adj.) deeply immersed in - no bed of'roses n.) uncomfortable, unhappy situation - off one's rocker adj.) crazy - watch (mind) one's P's and Q's v.) act very carefully, pay attention to details - can v.) fire, dismiss

PRACTICE

I. Complete the sentences with the correct idiom.

a) off your rocker b) make a dent in c)up to my ears d) buckle down e)canned

f) mind your P's and Q's g) no bed of roses h) behind the 8-bail

1. If you're having dinner with your boss, you have to.............. 2. Every day he took a two-hour lunch. The boss..............him. 3. Being married to a policeman is.............. 4. He didn't get his wife a birthday present. He is............. 5. If you think I'm going to loan you $1,000 to take a vacation, you're.............. 6. I'm trying to finish up my work but they.............. 7. If you want to learn English, you have to............. 8. In the winter, I'm not so busy, but during the summer, I'm...............in work. II. Rewrite the phrases in, using the proper idiomatic expression. 1. I'm so busy of work. 2. Being a waitress is not the easiest job in the world. 3. I have to study very hard. 4. He's fired. 5. He didn't make any progress in cleaning up his desk. 6. Act very carefully and have good manners when you are at the office meeting. 7. He's crazy. 8. If …