Conversation:

Mrs. Dix:  Jason, could I have a word with you?

Jason:  Sure Mrs. Dix.  What’s up?

Mrs. Dix:  I’ve put up with your poor behavior for weeks now, and I won’t stand for it in my class anymore.  If you continue to fool around, I’m going to ask you to leave the class.

Jason:  I’m sorry Mrs. Dix.  It’s just that I’m finding this class somewhat difficult.  For example, I can’t come up with an idea for my class project, and I’m having trouble keeping track of when everything is due.

Mrs. Dix:  Have you tried using a personal organizer?  It’s especially good for people on the go.

Jason:  No, I never thought of that.  Thanks for the tip.

Mrs. Dix:  I should also point out that the deadline for your project idea is this Friday.  It really burns me up when students miss deadlines, so make sure you don’t miss it.  I suggest you look over a list of project titles from last term to give you some ideas.  They’re posted outside my office.

Jason:  That’s a good idea, Mrs. Dix.  I guess I’ve got my work cut out for me.  I’ll have a look at the list and get in touch with you before Friday.

Click on the audio recording  below to hear the lesson.

Vocabulary:

behavior:  the way someone acts
somewhat:  a little
project:  an independent production by a student that takes time to complete
due:  supposed to be given to the teacher
personal organizer:  a weekly calendar book
especially:  really
tip:  advice
deadline:  last possible date
titles:  names that students give to their projects to say what the work is about
term:  the length of a class, usually 3 to 4 months
posted:  put on the wall for everyone to read

Idioms:

• have a word (with someone)           have a short private conversation
• put up with                                               tolerate
• won’t stand for                                       not allow to be done
• fool around                                              waste time by playing
• come up with                                          create, think of
• keep track (of)                                       keep informed about
• on the go                                                    always busy, always moving
• point out                                                   indicate
• burn (someone) up                             make (someone) angry
• look over                                                   read quickly
• have one’s work cut out for one   have a hard job that one must do
• get in touch (with)                              communicate by phone, e-mail, or text message

Notes:

Won’t stand for and won’t sit still for mean the same thing.

Come up with and dream up mean the same thing.

On the go and on the run mean the same thing.

© 2004 Ambien Malecot

Conversation:

Hiroco:  Hi Sonja.   Do you want to come with me this afternoon and see me audition for the school play?  I thought I would go for it and try out for the lead role.

Sonja:  I’d love to, but I don’t feel up to going.  I think I’m running a temperature.

Hiroco:  I’m sorry you’re not feeling well, but I can’t stick around.  The auditions only take place between 1:00 and 3:00 this afternoon.

Sonja:  It’s too bad I can’t go.  I’d love to see you show off your talent.

Hiroco:  I just hope I’m not too rusty.  I want to give them such a great audition that I stand out from all the others.

Sonja:  I’m sure you’ll do just fine.  Don’t let me hold you up.  I don’t want you to run late.

Hiroco:  Yes, I shouldn’t push my luck.  I’ve been late too many times for auditions.

Vocabulary:

audition:  a trial performance by an actor
play:  a story actors do on stage
lead role:  the most important character in a play
talent:  skills, things you are good at

Idioms:

• go for it:                             do something one would normally be afraid to do
• try out for:                        show one’s skills to become part of a group
• feel up to:                           be well enough (to do something)
• run a temperature:      have a fever
• stick around:                   stay here
• take place:                         happen
• show off:                            attract attention with unusual behavior
• be rusty:                             need practice
• stand out:                          be noticeable, be obvious
• hold up:                              delay / rob
• run late:                              be in a hurry (for work, class)
• push one’s luck:             continue taking chances

Notes:

Hold up has 2 meanings.  The second meaning is “rob.”  Example:  The man who held up the convenience store escaped before the police came.

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

Conversation:

Alice:  Hi, Stacey.  This is a surprise!  What brings you here?

Stacey:  I haven’t seen your new apartment yet, but you haven’t returned my calls, so I thought I’d drop by.

Alice:  I’m sorry for the mess.  If I had known you were coming, I would have straightened up a little.  Since Alicia was born, I’ve been snowed under with work.  I never realized it would be so hard to take care of a baby.  It takes a lot out of me.  Listen, I’m sorry about not calling you.

Stacey:  That’s okay.  No harm done.  I’m here now.

Alice:  Let me show you around, but be quiet.  The baby’s asleep.

Stacey:  Sure.  Wow!  I love the way you set up the baby’s room.  I see you keep plenty of diapers on hand.  She must go through them quickly.

Alice:  She does.  But on the other hand she’s now sleeping through the night.  She takes after her father in that way.  He’s always been a sound sleeper.

Stacey:  By the way, did I tell you that Joe and I are getting married?  We’d both like you to take part in the ceremony as one of my bridesmaids.

Vocabulary:

diapers:  cloth or paper worn around the baby’s bottom.
sound sleeper:  someone who sleeps the whole night without waking up.
bridesmaid:  a member of the bridal party who stands near the bride during the marriage ceremony.

Idioms:

• straighten up:                                organize, make orderly
• snowed under:                               busy with too much work
• take a lot out of (someone)     drain energy from (someone)
• no harm done:                               no damage done
• show around:                                give a tour
• set up:                                                arrange / establish
• on hand:                                           available
• go through:                                     use completely / experience (something bad
• on the other hand:                     talking about the opposite
• take after :                                      resemble or have the same talent as (a relative)
• by the way:                                     speaking of something else
• take part (in):                              participate

Notes:

Set up has 2 meanings.  The other one is “establish.”  Example:  My brother and I have decided to set up an export business together.

Go through has 2 meanings.  The other one is “experience (something bad)”  Example:  I spent four hours at customs.  I don’t want to go through that again.

© 2004 Ambien Malecot

Conversation:

Jodie:  I saw my mother off at the airport yesterday, and now I’m stuck with taking care of her dog until next Thursday.

Sarah:  I can’t believe my ears.  You hate dogs.  I was hoping that you would come keep me company today while I go shopping at the mall.

Jodie:  I’d love to take some time off and go with you, but I don’t have anyone who could fill in for me.  What am I supposed to do with the dog?

Sarah:  How about leaving it with a neighbor?  On second thought, bring it along.  We can drop it off at the doggie daycare.

Jodie:  Well then, you can count me in.  I deserve a break today.

Sarah:  Great.  You know how I get carried away when I shop alone.

Jodie:  Who knows?  We might come across some bargains.

Sarah:  Thanks for coming with me.  We’ll start off with lunch, and I’ll pick up the tab.

Jodie:  Thanks.  I appreciate the invitation.  It’s nice having a friend who has deep pockets.

Vocabulary:

• doggie daycare:  a business that takes care of dogs for the day
• deserve:  have paid for with my time and effort
• bargains:  inexpensive items
• appreciate:  be thankful for

Idioms:

• see (someone) off                         accompany (someone) and say good-bye (at the airport, train station, etc.)
• be stuck with                                   have (something/someone) one cannot get rid of
• not believe one’s ears/eyes     unable to believe what one hears/sees
• keep (someone) company        be with someone so they are not alone
• take time off (from)                     take a break
• fill in (for)                                           do another person’s job
• on second thought                      after reconsidering
• count (someone) in                     include (someone) in an activity
• get carried away                           become so involved that everything else seems unimportant
• come across                                    find (something) unexpectedly
• pick up the tab                               pay the bill
• have deep pockets                       have a lot of money

Notes:

Not believe one’s ears/eyes can also be hardly believe one’s ears/eyes.

Take time off can also be take some time off / take a little time off.

On second thought is similar to have second thoughts, which means to reconsider.

Count (someone) in has an opposite:  Count (someone) out, which means exclude (someone) from an activity.
Example:  If you’re going dancing tonight, you can count me out because I don’t dance.

Come across and run across have the same meaning.

© 2004 Ambien Malecot

Converstion:

Mrs. Bell:  Sally, I hate to break the news to you, but if your grades don’t improve, you’re not going to pass this course.

Sally:  There’s no doubt about it.  I know I’m falling behind, but there are so many things I don’t understand in this course that I need to clear up.

Mrs. Bell:  Well, I know you’re having trouble keeping up with the rest of the class.  Even though I have my hands full right now, I’m happy to tutor you and help you catch up.  Let’s see.  I’m all booked up from Monday to Thursday, but I can see you on Fridays at 3:30.

Sally:  That’s good for me.  Thank you so much, Mrs. Bell.  Sometimes I feel like this work is over my head, and I’m never going to catch on.

Mrs. Bell:  Don’t worry, Sally.  Just remember that above all, you must stay positive.  Slowly but surely your marks will improve.  Who knows?  You may turn out to be my best student.

Sally:  Thanks, Mrs. Bell.  If I work really hard, maybe I can even pass with flying colors.

Vocabulary:

• improve:  get better
• positive:  believing you can do it
• tutor you:  teach you alone

Idioms:

• break the news                                 give bad news
• no doubt about it                             it’s a fact, it’s the truth
• fall behind                                           not go as fast as required
• clear up                                                 explain, solve / become sunny
• keep up (with)                                   go as fast as
• have one’s hands full                     be too busy
• booked up                                            have no time left / have no room left (hotel/restaurant)
• over one’s head                                too difficult to understand
• above all                                               most importantly
• slowly but surely                             gradually
• turn out                                                result in the end / produce / come (to an activity)
• pass with flying colors                 get top marks on a test or in a course

Notes:

Fall behind is similar to be behind, but fall behind is an action, and be behind is a condition after the action has happened.  It means “have work that needs to be done.”
Example:  I fell behind in math when I was sick, and now I am so far behind, I can’t catch up.

Clear up has 2 meanings.  The other meaning is “become sunny.”
Example:  I hope the weather clears up so we can go on a picnic.

Booked up has 2 meanings.  The other meaning is “have no room left (hotel/restaurant).”
Example:  The hotels are all booked up over the winter holidays.

Turn out has 3 meanings.  Another is “produce.”
Example:  This factory turns out 300 pairs of boots a day.

The last meaning is “come (to an activity).”
Example:  How many people turned out for the meeting?

© 2004 Ambien Malecot

Conversation:

Jason: Hey Sean.  Sandra and I broke up, and she kicked me out of her place.  I need somewhere to stay while I look for an apartment.  Can I sleep on your couch?

Sean: Of course you can stay over for a while.  You can always count on me.

Jason: I sure can.  You’re a good friend.  You know, I never felt at ease with her.  I was always a little on edge.

Sean: Yes, I know.  I don’t mean to interfere, but I could tell that you two didn’t really get along.  I think you’re better off without her.

Jason: I’m not so sure.  I wish she’d have a heart and let me come back, but I don’t think that’ll happen.

Sean: Cheer up.  Things will get better, and in no time you’ll meet somebody new.

Jason: I guess you’re right.  I knew I could bank on you.  Maybe one of these days I’ll catch on to relationships and keep a girlfriend longer than three months.

Sean: Go easy on yourself.  Nobody understands relationships very well, including me.

Vocabulary:

• broke up:  stopped being boyfriend/girlfriend
• couch:  sofa
• place:  home (when preceded by a possessive.)
• interfere:  give advice that wasn’t asked for
• better off:  better than before (idiom from unit 2)
• including:  also

Idioms:

• kick (someone) out         force (someone) to leave
• stay over                               live in someone else’s home
• count on                                depend on
• at ease                                    calm, relaxed, not nervous
• on edge                                  tense, nervous
• mean to                                 intend to, plan to
• get along                               have a good relationship
• have a heart                        be compassionate
• cheer up                                become happy
• in no time                              quickly
• catch on (to)                        begin to understand / become popular
• go easy on (someone)    punish (someone) mildly

Notes:

Count on and bank on mean the same thing.

Get along is followed by ‘with’ if there is an object.
Example:  He doesn’t get along with her.

Catch on has 2 meanings.  In the dialogue it means ‘begin to understand’ and is followed by ‘to’ if there is an object.
Example:  I never caught on to astronomy.

Catch on can also mean ‘become popular,’but is never followed by ‘to.’
Example:  Twitter has really caught on.

© 2004 Ambien Malecot

Conversation:

Maria:  Did you hear that my brother has decided to drop out of school?

Sam:  You’re pulling my leg.  Has he really?

Maria:   Yes.  I told him he was better off staying, but he doesn’t listen to me.

Sam:  Maybe he’s feeling burned out.  After all, he has a heavy load this term.

Maria:  He told me he was looking into joining the army.

Sam:  That doesn’t make sense.  Doesn’t he realize that once he joins the army, he can’t

back out?  I know he can’t do without his freedom.

Maria:  I agree.  I don’t think much of his idea either.  Maybe we should have a talk with him.

Sam:  That’s a good idea.  I think he just wants to be on his own, but he’s going about it the wrong way.

Maria:  Let’s see if we can talk him into finishing grade 12.

Click on the audio recording  below to hear the lesson.

Vocabulary:

• heavy load:  a large amount of work to do
• realize:  understand, know

Idioms:

• drop out (of)                                           stop attending (classes/meetings)
• pull one’s leg                                          joke with someone
• better off                                                 better than before
• burn out                                                   become completely exhausted
• look into                                                   investigate to find information
• make sense (of)                                    be logical / understand logically
• back out (of)                                          withdraw from, not do
• do without (something)                 be able to live without (something)
• not think much of (something)  think (something) is not very good
• on one’s own                                         by oneself, alone
• go about                                                   plan a way to do (something)
• talk (someone) into                           persuade, convince (someone to do something)

Notes:

Drop out is used with ‘of’ if there is an object after it.  If not, then there is no ‘of.’
Example:  I haven’t seen Bill at the chess club for weeks.  He must have dropped out.

Look into and find out have the same meaning.

Make sense is used 2 ways.  It means to be logical, as used in the dialogue.
It also means to understand logically and must be used with ‘of’.
Example:  I can’t make sense of this recipe.  Could you help?

Talk (someone) into has an opposite:  Talk (someone) out of, which means “convince (someone) not to (do something).
Example:  I wanted to go swimming, but she talked me out of it because she wanted to go shopping

Conversation:

Andrei: Sven, I’ve always looked up to you. Would you give me some advice?

Sven: Sure. How can I help?

Andrei: I’m trying to get up the nerve to ask Victoria out.

Sven: Really? The girl in your math class who looks like a movie star?

Andrei: That’s right. I want to ask her to the dance this Friday, but my shyness gets in the way.

Sven: I know what you mean. It takes a lot of nerve to ask a beautiful girl out. My advice is to start talking to her and play it by ear.

Andrei: But what if she doesn’t warm up to me?

Sven: Don’t worry. On the whole, girls like it when a guy shows courage.

Andrei: Maybe, but I have butterflies in my stomach. I guess I’ll just have to put aside my fear and ask her.

Sven: Good luck. I hope everything works out.

Vocabulary:

• advice:  what you tell someone they should do
• shyness:  feeling like other people won’t like you
• guy:  man, boy
• courage:  going through your fear to do something
• fear:  feeling of being afraid

Idioms:

• look up to (someone)                               admire, respect
• get up the nerve                                          find the courage
• ask (someone) out                                     invite (someone) on a date
• look like                                                           resemble
• get in the way                                               make it difficult to do something
• take a lot of nerve                                       require a lot of courage
• play it by ear                                                 do something without a plan
• warm up to (someone)                            become friendly with (someone)
• on the whole                                                 generally
• have butterflies in one’s stomach     be nervous
• put aside                                                          save for later
• work out                                                          bring to a successful conclusion / solve / exercise

Notes:

Work out has three meanings. The other two are:
(solve) Example:  First, we had to work out the problem of transportation.
(exercise) Example:  I don’t have time to work out at the gym anymore.

© 2004 Ambien Malecot

Conversation:

Fumi:  What chapter did Mr. Johnson want us to read for homework in history class?

Hana:  Beats me.  We could call Sarah and find out.

Fumi:  Maybe we could put it off and do it tomorrow night.

Hana:  I don’t think so.  I remember he said we had to write a chapter summary and hand it in tomorrow.

Fumi:  That’s right.  I forgot.  Let’s call Sarah right away.

Hana:  Hang on.  I just remembered something.  Sarah told me she is looking after her niece tonight , so she won’t be home.

Fumi:  Let’s look up her aunt and uncle’s number in the phone book and call her there.

Hana:  Good idea.  Go ahead.  I’ll turn down the music.

Vocabulary:

• chapter:  part of a textbook
• history:  the story of people, countries, and war
• summary:  a short paragraph with the main ideas
• niece:  brother’s or sister’s daughter
• aunt:  mother’s or father’s sister, or uncle’s wife
• uncle:  mother’s or father’s brother, or aunt’s husband

Idioms:

beats me            I don’t know
find out             get information
put off                do (something) at a later time
hand in             give to the teacher/boss
right away       immediately
hang on            wait
look after         care for
look up             get information from a book or the Internet
go ahead          start / go before
turn down      decrease (sound, light, or heat) / say no to an offer

Notes:

Beats me and search me have the same meaning.

Hand in and turn in have the same meaning.

Hang on and hold on have the same meaning.

Look after and take care of have the same meaning.

Go ahead has 2 meanings.  The second meaning is “go before.
Example:  You only have a few items to buy, so you can go ahead of me.

Turn down has 2 meanings:  The second meaning is “say no to an offer.”
Example:  I asked her if she wanted to go to a movie with me, but she turned me down.

© 2004 Ambien Malecot

Conversation:

Mary:  Hi Julie.  What’s up?  You look tired.

Julie:  I got up early this morning to put together this new bicycle that I’m giving to Jamie for his birthday.

Mary:  Oh, that’s sweet of you.  I’m sure he’ll like it.  Listen, the reason I stopped by is to ask you to come shopping and help me pick out something to wear to John and Susan’s wedding.

Julie:  I thought they broke up, and the wedding was called off.

Mary:  That’s right, but they made up yesterday, and the wedding is on again.  I heard they cried so much, they used up a whole box of tissue.

Julie:  Is that so?  You know, all of a sudden, I want to go shopping too.  I have nothing to wear either.

Mary:  Let me help you clean up and put away these tools.

Julie:  Thanks.  You know, it’ll be fun to dress up for this wedding.  I like wearing nice clothes.

Vocabulary:

• sweet:  nice
• wedding:  marriage ceremony
• on:  happening
• tissue:  soft paper used on the face
• so:  true
• tools:  instruments used to put something together, like pliers and screw drivers

Idioms:

what’s up                  what’s happening
put together             build out of parts
stop by                        visit (someone) informally
pick out                      choose
break up (with)      end (a relationship, meeting)
make up                     become friendly after a fight or argument / create (a story)
use up                         use completely, have no more
all of a sudden       without warning, suddenly
put away                   return (something) to its proper place
dress up                    put on good clothes

Notes:

Stop by and drop by have the same meaning.

Break up is followed by with if an object is used.
Example:  Paul broke up with Judy.

Break up is never followed by with when it means “end a meeting.”
Example:  The meeting broke up at 8:00.

Make up has two meanings.  The second meaning is “create (a story)”
Example:  Johnny didn’t do his homework again, so he had to make up an excuse.

All of a sudden and all at once have the same meaning.

© 2004 Ambien Malecot