Conversation:

Julio:  I can’t believe you got an ace on the river to beat me.  I think I’m going to call it quits for the day and go home.

Allan:  At least you’re a good sport.  Most people would be beside themselves with anger after losing $100 playing poker.

Julio:  The way I look at it is that I broke even for the week.   Three days ago I won a hundred bucks at the casino.  Can I ask you a question?  Do you think I’ve got a gambling problem?

Allan:  The idea has crossed my mind.  You do spend a lot of time playing poker.  I think you should move on and find something else to do that tickles your fancy.

Julio:  You might be right.  Poker’s not as much fun as it used to be.  It’s become a drag.

Allan:  I didn’t mean to come down hard on you, but you did ask.

Julio:  No, I’m glad you spoke your mind.  I’ve been running on autopilot for a long time, and I definitely need a change.

Allan:  Well, if anybody can pull it off, you can.  I’ve got confidence you’ll do the right thing.

Vocabulary:

ace:  the highest value card
the river:  the last card placed on the board
bucks:  dollars
casino:  gambling house
gambling:  betting money on a game of chance
used to be:  was in the past
definitely:  absolutely
confidence:  belief

Idioms:

• call it quits:                                              stop doing it
• a good sport:                                           someone who can win or lose and not show emotion
• be beside oneself:                                 show strong emotion
• break even:                                              have the same amount of money as originally
• cross one’s mind:                                 be thought about
• move on:                                                   stop doing the same thing and do something different
• tickle one’s fancy:                                 be something one likes
• a drag:                                                        something boring
• come down hard on (someone):   tell (someone) what they’re doing wrong
• speak one’s mind:                                honestly say what one thinks
• run on autopilot:                                  do things automatically without thinking
• pull it off:                                                 accomplish (something), be successful at (something)

Notes:

come down hard on and be tough on have the same meaning.

run on autopilot can also be be on autopilot.

a drag can be made stronger by adding “real”:  a real drag.

© 2014 Ambien Malecot

Conversation:

Brian:  I’ve had it with my car.  I think it’s on its last legs.  Yesterday I was pulled over by the police because there was smoke coming out the exhaust.  I need to buy a new car and fast.

Jake:  I think I can help.  I’ve got a friend who owns a twenty-year-old Honda that’s in near mint condition.  He’s a mechanic and has been taking really good care of it for years.  It’s recently come to light that he wants to sell it.

Brian:  That’s good, but I’m of two minds.  I know Hondas are really good cars, but it’s old.  How do I know it won’t break down?

Jake:  I give you my word.  I know this guy, and I know he wouldn’t sell a bad car.  Because of his reputation, you can rest assured that this car will sell fast.  You have a small window of opportunity here, and if I were you, I would make an offer quickly.

Brian: I don’t know.  I’d have to sleep on it.  What’s he selling it for anyway?

Jake:  I’m not sure, but I think it’s $3000 or so.  I’m sure he’ll give you a fair shake.

Vocabulary:

exhaust:  the tailpipe of a car
mechanic:  a person who works on cars and other vehicles
break down:  stop working
reputation:  what other people think of him
offer:  what someone is willing to pay

Idioms:

• one has had it: one can’t tolerate something any longer
• on its last legs: almost ready to die
• pull over: stop at the side of the road
• in mint condition: like new, in perfect condition
• come to light: start to be known
• be of two minds: think that both choices are good
• give (someone) one’s word: promise
• rest assured: know that (something) is true
• a window of opportunity: a limited time for action
• sleep on it: make a decision tomorrow
• or so: or about that, approximately
• a fair shake: a deal that’s fair for both people

Notes:

One has had it and that does it have the same meaning

The opposite of give someone one’s word is break one’s word.
Example:  I believed he would do it, but he broke his word.

© 2014 Ambien Malecot

Conversation:

Greg:  I just came into a lot of money.  My rich uncle died and left me a tidy sum in stocks, bonds and property in his will.  All in all, I think it’s in the neighborhood of half a million dollars.

Sarah:  Hey!  That’s good news.  What are you going to do with all that money?

Greg:  I don’t have the money yet.  There’s a lot of red tape. They tell me it could take up to six months to probate his will, which does me no good in the short run. I’m under the gun to pay next semester’s tuition.

Sarah:  You should keep this news on the q.t.   If our friends got wind of this, they’d all be looking for a handout.

Greg:  You’re probably right.  Let’s keep this between us for now.  You know, all my life I’ve been struggling with money.  It’s about time I got a break.  Finally, I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Vocabulary:

stocks:  shares in the profits of a company
bonds:  loans to a company or government
will:  a legal paper that states where your property will go after you die
probate:  determine if a will is legal
handout:  something given for free
struggling:  having a hard time

Idioms:

• come into                                              receive (money)
• a tidy sum                                              a large amount of money
• all in all                                                    all together
• in the neighborhood of                  around, about
• red tape                                                   legal requirements and delays
• in the short run                                   over a short period of time, in the near future
• under the gun                                      needing to do something fast
• on the q.t.                                               a secret [q.t. = quiet]
• get wind of                                             hear about
• it’s about time                                      it took too long to happen
• get a break                                             get some good luck
• light at the end of the tunnel      an easier time in the future

Notes:

All in all can also be shortened to in all.

In the short run has an opposite: in the long run, which means over a long period of time.
In the short run can also be in the short term, and the opposite can also be in the long term or over the long term.

Get a break is the opposite of give (someone) a break, which means to give someone some luck by not doing anything bad to them.

© 2014 Ambien Malecot

Conversation:

Carla:  I’m thinking of getting involved in a multi-level marketing business. The company has a line of cleaning products which make everything spic and span. I can make a lot of money depending on how hard I work.  The sky is the limit. What do you think?

Phil:  Right off the bat, I can think of a couple of reasons why that’s not a good idea.  First of all, you’ll have to buy inventory and store it in your home so you have it to sell.  And what happens if you don’t sell your product? I’ll tell you.  You’re up the creek without a paddle.  Every month you have to buy more product even if you haven’t sold all your stock.

Carla:  Yes, but I’m sure I can make a go of this.  At least I want to try.

Phil:  I think someone’s trying to pull the wool over your eyes.  Most people who go into this kind of business fail.

Carla:  Even if that’s true, I think I’ll give it my best shot. I’m tired of not having any money.  I just want my piece of the pie.

Phil:  All I know is a friend of mine joined a network marketing company and they took him to the cleaners.  He spent thousands of dollars with little return.  But you know, it’s your funeral.  Do what you want.

Carla:  Would you consider doing it with me?  There would be less risk that way.

Phil:  Yea, that’ll be the day!

Carla:  Well, if you change your mind, let me know.

Idioms:

• spic and span:                                               very, very clean
• the sky is the limit:                                     there are no limits
• right off the bat:                                           without delay
• up the creek without a paddle:             in a terrible situation with no solution
• make a go of:                                                 be successful with
• pull the wool over one’s eyes:               stop someone from knowing something
• give it one’s best shot:                              do the best one can do
• piece of the pie:                                           part of the wealth of the world
• take (someone) to the cleaners:          take all one’s money
• it’s one’s funeral:                                        it’s one’s future failure
• that’ll be the day:                                        that will never happen
• change one’s mind:                                   change the way one thinks

Notes:

You can say: make a go of this, make a go of it, or make a go of (something)
Example: I know I can make a go of starting my own business.

Notes:

make a go of this can also be make a go of it

© 2014 Ambien Malecot

Conversation:

Jonathan:  I love my job, but my boss and I have been at odds since the beginning of the month when I took a week off to be at the hospital with my sick mother.  He didn’t want to give me the time off, but I would never let anything come between my mother and me, not even my job.

Marissa:  I would have done the same thing.  My bottom line has always been that family comes first. How is your mother?

Jonathan:  She’s fine now.  The doctor gave her a clean bill of health, but she’s not off the hook yet.  She still needs to get her strength back.

Marissa:  I’m so glad to hear that.  Now you have to bury the hatchet with your boss.  You don’t want him to give you the boot.

Jonathan:  No I don’t. I thought I had patched things up with him, but I think he’s still angry with me.

Marissa:  You have a way with words.  I think you should bite the bullet and talk to him again, no ifs, ands or buts.

Jonathan:  You’re right.  I don’t want there to be any bad blood between us.  I’ll try to make it right.

Idioms:

• at odds                                             in disagreement about something
• come between                            cause trouble between two people
• bottom line                                   most important thing
• a clean bill of health                an assurance of good health
• off the hook                                 no longer having a problem
• bury the hatchet                       no longer be angry with someone
• give (someone) the boot       fire (someone) from a job
• patch things up                           improve a relationship by doing something nice
• a way with words                      an ability to use words to achieve a goal
• bite the bullet                              do a difficult and unpleasant task
• no ifs, ands or buts                    no excuses
• bad blood                                       very unfriendly relationship

Notes:

Give (someone) the boot is the opposite of get the boot, which means “get fired.”

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

Conversation:

Omar:  Yesterday I took the stairs up to my office because the elevator wasn’t working.  By the time I reached the fifth floor, I was out of breath.  It was a real wake-up call for me.  I know I need to start doing something about it.

Sydney:  I’m glad to hear that.  Exercise goes hand in hand with good health, so you should start an exercise program.  I have, and I feel great.

Omar:  It’s been a long time since I set foot in a gym.  I spend most of my time sitting, and we all know that’s a recipe for disaster.

Sydney: I’m glad you’ve come to your senses.  You know, if you get in shape, it’s like getting a new lease on life.  All aspects of your life will get better.

Omar: I’m glad to hear that because my business is starting to weigh me down.  Okay, what would you suggest that I do?  I don’t have a lot of free time because I work around the clock.

Sydney: I’m usually pressed for time too, so I go to the gym three times a week in the mornings for half an hour before work.

Omar: That sounds doable.  I’ve been taking my health for granted for too long.

Sydney:  I’m glad you’ve finally come to your senses.

Vocabulary:

aspects:  areas, parts
doable:  something you can do

Idioms:

• out of breath                                                   breathing too fast
• a wake-up call                                                a scary experience that says something is wrong
• go hand in hand                                             go together
• set foot in                                                          enter
• a recipe for disaster                                   something that will cause a very bad result
• come to one’s senses                                 understand what the right thing to do is
• in shape                                                             with a body that is strong and healthy
• a new lease on life                                       a feeling of starting over as a new person
• weigh (someone) down                            make (someone) feel like there’s too much work
• work around the clock                              work all day and night
• pressed for time                                            don’t have enough time
• take (something/one) for granted     think that (something/one) will always be there

Notes:

a wake-up call is the same as an eyeopener

in shape and in good shape are the same.  The opposite is out of shape or in bad shape.  Example:  Because he doesn’t get much exercise, he’s out of shape.

Conversation:

Sahar:  Natalia, do you have a minute?

Natalia:  Sure.  What’s on your mind?

Sahar:  I found out that Hossein hasn’t been on the level with me.

Natalia:  What do you mean?  Are you getting cold feet about marrying him?

Sahar:  No it’s not that.  I love him, but the other day I found some photos of him with a strange woman, and I’ve been a basket case ever since.

Natalia:  Well you knew he had been around the block before you two got together.  It was probably a photo of an old girlfriend.

Sahar:  I don’t think so.  We had a heart to heart last week, and I was completely above board with him about all my old boylfriends.  The only old girlfriend he told me about was a blond, but the woman in the photo was a brunette.

Natalia:  Although there’s a fine line between not telling the whole truth and lying, maybe he didn’t want to come clean all at once.  I’d give him some time if I were you.

Sahar:  Okay.  I hope you’re right.  It would be a crying shame if the wedding were called off.

Vocabulary:

got together:  became a couple
a blond:  a woman with blond hair
brunette:  a woman with brown hair
all at once:  immediately
called off:  cancelled

Idioms:

• have a minute                         have time to have a short talk.
• on one’s mind                         being thought about
• on the level                                telling the truth
• cold feet                                      doubt about something you planned
• the other day                           a day not too long ago
• a basket case                            a person who is overly nervous or upset
• been around the block        have had many experiences
• have a heart to heart            have an emotional conversation
• above board                              totally honest, legally done
• a fine line                                   not much of a difference
• come clean                                 be totally truthful
• a crying shame                        too bad, a sad event

Notes:

Have a minute can also be have a second.

The opposite of above board is under the table when talking about something being illegal.

a basket case and in bad shape have the same meaning.

© 2014 Ambien Malecot

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

Conversation:

David:  I just got a job in the bookstore, and now I’ve got a head start on saving for next term.

Grace:  What a lucky break.  I’m so happy for you.

David:  Thanks.  I’m rather proud of myself.  When I heard about the job opening, I didn’t drag my feet.  I got right over there and filled out an application.

Grace:  I don’t have time for a  job.  I have a full plate with six courses this term, and I can tell you it’s no bed of roses.

David:  It sure isn’t.  When I got the call this morning that I had the job it was music to my ears.  When tuition went up last term, my parents went through the roof.  They are trying to save for my younger sister’s education, too, so this job fits the bill.

Grace:  So far I’m okay with my scholarship, but if worse comes to worst and my marks aren’t good enough, I could lose it.

David:  If that happened, you’d be in dire straits, and you’d have to make time for a job.

Grace:  Yes.  I’d have to start pulling my own weight.

David: Don’t worry about that now.  If things change I know you can go with the flow.

Vocabulary:

rather:  very
over there:  to that place
courses:  classes over a semester
call:  phone call
tuition:  money to pay for classes
term:  semester
scholarship:  free money that pays for your education

Idioms:

• a head start                              an earlier-than-normal start
• a lucky break                            a change in one’s luck for the better
• drag one’s feet                         take a long time to do something
• a full plate                                 a busy schedule, a lot to do
• no bed of roses                           not an easy time
• music to one’s ears                  good news
• go through the roof                get very upset
• fit the bill                                   be everything that’s needed
• if worse comes to worst          if the worst thing happens
• in dire straits                            in a very bad situation
• pull one’s own weight             work as hard as everyone else
• go with the flow                       easily change when the situation changes

Notes:

Pull one’s own weight can be shortened to pull one’s weight.

© 2014 Ambien Malecot

Conversation:

Nick:  You look like you’re walking on air.  What’s up?

Sergey:  Remember Sarah?  We met her at the New Year’s Eve party last year?

Nick:  No. Her name doesn’t ring a bell.  What does she look like?

Sergey:  Tall, long dark hair, beautiful blue eyes.

Nick:  I’m still drawing a blank, but what about her?

Sergey:  Well, this morning we met by chance in the coffee shop and we both hit it off right away.  Now, I don’t want to jump to conclusions, but she could be the one for me.  There’s only one small problem.  I can’t lay my hands on her phone number.  She wrote it on a napkin, and now I can’t find it!  I’m on pins and needles.

Nick:  I can imagine.  You know if you don’t call her up within a few days, you’re going to be in hot water.  She’s going to think you don’t like her.

Sergey:  I know.  I know.  What am I going to do?

Nick:  Get a grip!  It won’t help to get upset.  If I were you, I’d go back to the coffee shop tomorrow and try to find her.

Sergey:  Hang on.  It just dawned on me that I changed by jeans when I got home.  I’ll bet her number is in one of the pockets.  I’ll go look.

Nick:  For your sake, I hope it is.  But if it’s not, it serves you right for being so careless.

Sergey:  Here’s her phone number!  It was in my jeans pocket all along.

Vocabulary:

by chance:  accidentally
the one:  the perfect person
hang on:  wait
sake:  benefit, well-being

Idioms:

• walk on air                                         feel very happy
• ring a bell                                           be something one remembers
• draw a blank                                      not be able to remember
• hit it off                                              become friendly immediately
• jump to conclusions                         form an opinion without all the evidence
• lay one’s hands on (something)     be able to find (something)
• on pins and needles                          anxious, nervous
• in hot water                                        in trouble
• get a grip                                            make oneself calm
• dawn on (someone)                          (someone) realizes
• it serves (someone) right                 (someone) gets the punishment he/she deserves
• all along                                              for the whole time

Notes:

ring a bell and draw a blank are opposites.

on pins and needles and on edge have the same meaning.

© 2004 Ambien Malecot

© 2013 Ambien Malecot

Conversation:

Hank: My history professor really spelled it out for us this morning.  She told us that apart from having chapter quizzes every week, mid-term and final exams, and a 3000-word research paper, there may also be some other marked assignments in store but she didn’t give us any details.

John: It sounds like your prof wants everyone to toe the line. You’d better get down to work right away.

Hank: I will. Also, she keeps after us to make sure we’ve done the reading assignment for that day. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. She told us she could decide to give a quiz on the spur of the moment.

John: I hate pop quizzes.  It sounds like you’re going to be busy this term.

Hank: You can say that again. But you know, as a rule I respond well to teachers like her. She makes me want to work hard and even go the extra mile.
John: Well, good luck. I hope you’re not in over your head.
Hank: I doubt it. I think I’ll make out just fine.

Vocabulary:

apart from:  in addition to
marked assignments:  work that the teacher will give a mark for
details:  complete information
’d better (had better):  must
pop quizzes:  tests that students can’t prepare for
doubt it:  don’t think so

Idioms:

• spell it out (for someone)                         explain something (to someone)
• in store                                                             planned for the future
• toe the line                                                        follow the rules, do what’s expected
• get down to                                                       start (an activity)
• keep after (someone)                                 remind (someone) constantly
• the tip of the iceberg                                   a small piece of the whole
• on the spur of the moment                     impulsively, suddenly
• you can say that again                               what you said is true
• as a rule                                                             generally, usually
• go the extra mile                                           do more than is necessary
• in over one’s head                                        have more than one can handle
• make out                                                            have a result / see clearly

Notes:

Make out has 2 meanings.  The other one is “see clearly.”  Example:  Can you make out that sign in the distance?

© 2004 Ambien Malecot

© 2013 Ambien Malecot