Idiomatic American English - Lesson 45+46 - Thấm Tâm Vy

Thẩm Tâm Vy, Dec 31, 2019 IDIOMATIC AMERICAN ENGLISH 23

IDIOMATIC AMERICAN ENGLISH 23

Lesson 45. Jack-of-All-Trades Dialogue

Chuck: He's a jack-of-all-trades and top-notch in every one. Dan: Really? He looks like a bum who's been drowning his sorrows in sleazy dives. Chtrck: Nope. He's really a high-brow but he had a couple of tough breaks and hit the skids.

Vocabulary

- jack-of-all-trades: n.) person who can do many kinds of work - top-notch: adj.) excellent, the best - bum: n.) worthless person - drown one's sorrows: v.) drink liquor to forget unhappiness - sleazy: adj.) shoddy, dirty, in poor condition - dive: n.) a disreputable, low-class bar or nightclub - high-brow: n.) intellectual, cultured person - tough break: n.) unlucky event, misfortune - hit the skids: v.) come upon bad times

PRACTICE

I. Completethe sentences with the correct idiom.

a) tough breaks b) hit the skids c) top-notch d) high-brow e) sleazy f) drown his sorrows g) jack-of-all-trades h) bum i) dive 1. I didn't realize he was so intelligent. He didn't appear to be a................... 2. That's one of the best organizations in the country. It's really................... 3. He doesn't do anything all day long. He's totally useless.He's a................... 4. A lot of unfortunate things have been happening to him lately. It's too bad he's had so many................... 5. At one time he had a lot of money but he lost it in the stock market. After that. he................... 6. I wouldn't go into that bar to make a phone call. It looks like a ................... 7. He's been very unhappy lately. I hope he doesn't start drinking to................... 8. Ask Ed to help you. He can fix anything. He's a................... 9. That used to be a good neighborhood but now you would be disgusted to walk down the street. The area is................... II. Rewrite the phrases in italics, using the proper idiomatic expression. 1. That's an excellent restaurant. 2. He never works. He's worthless. 3. Their neighborhood used to be nice but now it's run down and dirty. 4. That nightclub attracts very disreputable people. 5. It's a shame that he came upon such bad times. 6. He's an intellectual. 7. He's had a lot of bad luck.

8. He's drinking because he's unhappy. 9. John is skilled enough to do any job in the company.

Lesson 46. Out on a Limb Dialogue

Mike: The coast is clear. Let's give him the slip. Rob: My heart is in my mouth. Mike: You'd better wash your hands of this affair before you're put in the klink. Rob: You're right. If he blabs, I'm out on a limb. Mike: Why do you always stick your neck out?

Vocabulary - The coast is clear. = No enemy is in sight. - give someone the slip: v.) escape, get away from - One's heart is in one's mouth. = One is nervous, fearful, or anxious. - wash one'shands of: v.) refuse responsibility for, abandon - in the klink: adj.) in jail - blab: v.) talk too much - out on a limb: adj. or adv.) in a dangerous,exposedposition; one's ideas are openly known - stick one's neck out: v.) look for trouble, take risks

PRACTICE L Complete the sentences with the correct idiom.

a) the coast is clear b) my heart is in my mouth c) washyour hands of him d) stick my neck out e) out on a limb f) give them the slip g) blabbing h) in the klink

1. The bank robbersweren't caught by the police. Did they...................? 2. I'm speaking before 200 people tonight. ................... 3. If he lies or hurts you, you should................... 4. If you commit a crime, you'll be put ................... 5. I want it quiet when I'm watching TV but my children are usually................... 6. Nobody is around. We can leave. ................... 7. Whenever I help somebody, I get in trouble. I should never................... 8. By speaking up against her boss, she'sput herself ................... II. Rewrite the phrases in italics, using the proper idiomatic expression. 1. He's always looking for trouble. 2. I don't see anybody who would stop us. 3. …