Idioms

Part 1 Time

[B]Idioms[/B]

on time, ahead of time, from now on, in time, off and on, just around the corner, every so often, day in and day out, every now and then, so far, in the long run, for good, for the time being


[B]Conversation 1: Pizza[/B]

w: What's for dinner?

m: Let's get a pizza.

w: We just had one yesterday. We can't eat pizza [day in and day out].

m: We don't eat pizza all the time. We've only had two [so far] this week.

w: Look, eating pizza [every now and then], maybe once a month or two, is
OK. But it's not good for our health if we eat it all the time. [In the long run], we'll be healthier when we're old if we stop eating so many pizzas now.

m: Are you suggesting that we stop eating pizza forever? Can you really quit eating pizza [for good]? No more tomato sauce, cheese, pepperoni for the rest our life?

w: Uh...I don't think I said that exactly. But since we've already had two this week, [for the time being ] we shouldn't have another one. That's all I meant. We'll just wait a little bit.

m: Hot, spicy sauce...melted mozzarella cheese...crispy crust...

w: Stop it. You're making me hungry...OK. OK. Let's go.

m: Really?

w: Yes. But immediately. We'll have to go [right away],before I reconsider.


[B]Conversation 2: That Terrible Bus[/B]

w: Sam, you're really late. You've been late three times this week.

m: I know. But it's not my fault.

w: Why aren't you [on time] this morning?

m: It's my bus. I missed it. I think the bus arrived [ahead of time]. I thought I was 5 minutes early.

w: [from now on],you should leave your house [in time] to catch your bus.

m: Yeah, I know. You're right.

w: It might even be nice if you arrived early [off and on].Maybe not everyday, but you should get to work on time occasionally.

m: I know that. I don't try to be late.

w: I know that, but I heard that [in time], after you get more experience, you're expected to take a lot of responsibility in this company. Decisions on promotions are [just around the corner], maybe even next month. I just want you to get a good recommendation.

m: So do I. But [every so often], I wonder whether I'll ever be promoted.
w: Sure you will. But maybe you should buy a car, just to be sure.

m: I'm not sure that I want a car. It's really a problem finding a place to park [day in and day out].

w: That's true. [So far] this week, I've only been able to park my car by stadium. That's pretty long walk every morning and afternoon.

m: Yeah, but it isn't only that. Parking a car is a lot expensive than riding a bus. [In the long run], I'm probably going to save enough money to buy a house.

w: Ha, ha. I'm not sure about that. Well maybe a small one.

m: No, I mean it. The more I think about it, the smarter it seems to continue taking the bus [for good]. It will always be a better deal than a car.

w: Well, maybe it seems like a good idea [for the time being], but you're going to have to think about your professional future too. If you continue to come to work late, you'll wish you'd gotten a car [right away] instead of waiting.


[B]Idioms Explanation[/B]

every now and then: sometimes, not often
day in and day out: always, continually
every so often: sometimes, not often
for good: forever
for the time being: currently, for a short time
off and on: sometimes, not often (used especially for actions that stop and start again)
just around the corner: soon,
in time: eventually, soon enough
on time: at the correct time
so far: until now
in the long run: in the end, far into the future

[B]Idioms [/B]

be about to, keep track of, look forward to, call off, fall through, fall behind, catch up on, put off, on the spur of the moment, behind schedule, around the clock, make good time, carry out, bring up to date, move up, move back


[B]Conversation: Problem Graduation[/B]

w: Did you hear about Patty? She's [about to] leave school.

m: She is? Why? She's such a good student.

w: She's failing her history class.

m: What happened?

w: She said she can't [keep track of] all the dates and names.

m: That's true. It's awfully hard to remember all of them.

w: Her family was really [looking forward to] her graduating. You know, she was the first person in her family to go to college, and they were very excited.

m: That's such a pity. I know her family was planning a graduation party for her. I guess they'll have to [call off] the party.

w: Yes, that's clear, since Pat's plans to graduate have [fallen through]. No graduation, no party.

m: I'm not sure I understand why she's leaving, though.

w: Well, she [fell behind] in all her work. She owes two research papers. Remember, she was sick a month ago? Since then, she hasn't been able to [catch up on] her work, even though she was working hard.

m: I forgot about that. I feel so sorry for her. She must be upset that she has to [put off] her graduation and graduate later than everyone else. But did she think about this decision carefully or did she decide [on the spur of the moment]?

w: I'm sure she thought about it a lot, but she is too far [behind schedule]. She has too much work to do. I mean, the only way she could graduate now is if she studies [around the clock], all day, every day, until graduation day.

m: Can we help her?

w: I don't know. What do you think?

m: Well, I think if we all work together we can [make good time]. We can get work done a lot faster.

w: But isn't that cheating? I don't want to do anything against the rules.

m: No, we'll only help her. Pat'll have to [carry out] the actual writing and take the tests. We'll just organize notes and find books and articles for her.

w: That's good idea. With all of us working together, Pat can [bring her work up to date], and then she can graduate on time.

m: Great! Do you think she'll like our plan?

w: What choice does she have? The school isn't going to [move graduation back] a month to June instead of May....Together the three of us can [move Pat's work schedule up] instead.



[B]Idioms Explanation[/B]

be about to: be almost ready to do sth. be close to doing something.
fall through: fail to happen or be completed against one's will (only takes inanimate subjects)
keep track of: remember
look forward to: (noun or V ing) happily expect
make good time: (V ing) finish faster than usual or than expected
behind schedule: later than planned
move up: schedule for an earlier time
move back: schedule for a later time
put off: (noun or V ing) postpone
call off: (Noun or V ing) cancel
bring up to date: modernize
carry out: complete
on the spur of the moment: without planning or carefully thought, impulsively
fall behind: (on sth.) to be slower than the schedule requires
around the clock: 24 hours each day, continouslly
catch up on: try to be on schedule after going too slowly

[B]Idioms [/B]

right hand man/woman, hand in hand, give a hand, meet one halfway, come through for, give a break, bend over backwards to, do a favor, take turns, pull together, give and take, help out, see eye to eye, back up, keep one's word


[B]Conversation 1: A New Job[/B]

w: Excuse me, Mr. LaSalle. Do you have a minute?

m: Sure Pat, come in. What can I do for you?

w: This is a little difficult, so I guess I'll just speak directly. I've been offered another job, and I think I'm going to accept it.

m: Well, this is a surprise. You've been my [right-hand woman] for almost 5 years. I'll miss you.

w: Thank you, Mr. LaSalle. I've really enjoyed working [hand in hand] with you. We've accomplished a lot together.

m: Yes, we have. You've [given me a hand] with a lot of difficult situations, especially with that Smith contract. I couldn't have succeeded without your help.

w: That's not quite true. You and Smith were able to [meet each other halfway]. That's what made the agreement possible.

m: Yes, well I'll miss your help, nevertheless. Whenever we had problems around here, you always [came through for] us. What kind of offer did you get?

w: I've been asked to assist the city's special investigator. It should be a good opportunity for me. But don't worry. I won't forget that you [gave me my first break]. Working with you has been a wonderful opportunity for me.

m: Are you sure you want to leave? I would [bend over backwards] to keep you here. Isn't there anything I can do to stop you?

w: That's very kind of you, but I'm not. I'm very glad to have had the opportunity to work with you.

m: Well, Pat, if I can ever [do you a favor], please be sure to call me. I'll be happy to help you.

w: Thank you, Mr. LaSalle.


[B]Conversation 2: A Great Apartment[/B]

m: You look tired! What've you been doing?

w: Looking for an apartment.

m: No luck?

w: Actually, I find a few, but I want to be sure I find the right place.

m: There's an empty apartment in my building.

w: Oh yeah? What's it like?

m: The usual, I guess. Nothing fancy, but it's in good condition, a good size, and not too expensive.

w: Sounds good so far. What about the neighbors?

m: They're great.

w: Oh yeah?

m: Sure. For example, we all [take turns] in the laundry room. Monday is my day to wash clothes.

w: So there's only one washer and dryer?

m: And we all [pull together] to keep the building in good condition. My next-door neighbor paid for the paint I used to paint our apartments.

w: You call that "pulling together」? You did all the work!

m: And there's real [give and take] in the building. Everyone helps everyone else. Just last week my neighbor collected enough money to buy a new lawn mower, so it'll be easier for me to cut the grass.

w: Sounds to me like you do all the giving and they do all the taking.

m: No, no. They're always [helping me out]. When I was sick last month, they let me wait an extra week to cut the grass.

w: How kind of them.

m: What's wrong? You don't seem impressed.

w: I guess we don't [see eye to eye] on the definition of good neighbors. You're not lucky to live there!

m: Well, talk to Tom. He used to be my roommate. He can [back me up]. He'll tell you how nice it is to live here.

w: If it's so nice, why did he leave?

m: It was his fault he had to leave.

w: He had to leave?

m: Well, he promised to help with the work---like everyone else, but he didn't [keep his word]. He just stopped helping.

w: Gee, I wonder why!


[B]Idioms Explanation[/B]

meet one halfway: compromise
take turns (V ing): alternate one after another
bend over backwards to: try very hard to accomplish sth.
give a hand: help
pull together: cooperate (requires plural subjects)
right-hand man/woman: most helpful assistant
back up: support
see eye to eye (on sth. with sb.): agree
hand in hand: together
keep one's word: fulfill a promise
help out: give assistance
do a favor(for sb.): do a kindness
give and take: sharing
give a break: give a chance
come through (for someone): satisfy someone's need, often with difficulty

[B]Idioms[/B]

lay off, in the red/black, make ends meet, be/go broke, do without, live it up, run out of, get out under, make living, run, land on one's feet, break even, be a steal, wear out, come up in the world


[B]Conversation: lay off[/B]

m: Terry, what's wrong?

w: I got [laid off] from my job.

m: Oh, no. Why?

w: The company has decided to decrease production. That means they need fewer workers for the time being.

m: I'm so sorry. You must feel awful. Maybe you'll get your job back soon.

w: No. Probably not. Actually, I'm not very surprised. I've known for some time that the company was [in the red]. It started losing money 3 years ago.

m: What will you do? How will you [make ends meet]? Would you like to borrow some money from me?

w: Thanks, but [I'm not broke]. I've been saving money for emergencies. I guess this is an emergency.

m: How did you manage to save money? Didn't you say your job didn't pay a lot?

w: Yes, but I [did without] a few things-- like fewer movies, fewer dinners in restaurants. In other words, I stopped [living it up] after I realized the company was in trouble. I just stopped spending so much money.

m: That was smart. But what will you do after you [run out of] the money you saved?

w: I'll have to get another job. Don't worry. I'll find a way to [get out from under]. I won't have to live on the street.

m: Maybe you can [make a living]by selling your breads and cakes. Everyone says they love them.

w: That's great idea. I wonder how much money it would [run] to start my own business? Do you think it would cost a lot?

M: I don't know. But I'm sure you're not going to let this job layoff destroy your life. You're going to [land on your feet].

w: Absolutely. But I have to find a way to get enough money to start a business.

m: I guess you could sell your car. It's worth about $10,000, isn't it? If someone bought it for about $7,500, it would [be a steal]. Who wouldn't want a bargain like that?

w: Yeah, but there's a problem. I couldn't [break even] if I sold my car. I still owe the bank a lot of money for it.

m: Oh, well, anyway, you would need your car to deliver all the breads and cakes.

w: Good point! I wouldn't want to [wear out] a new pair of shoes every month. Shoes are almost as expensive as cars!

m: You're crazy! Listen, I think you need some help. Why don't we go into business together? You can be the creative genius, and I'll take care of the business end. I have enough money saved to help to start the business.

w: Really? What a great idea. Then we can [come up to the world] together.

m: Of course! We're gonna be rich!



[B]Idiom explanantion[/B]


make ends meet: have enough money for expenses
run out of: have no more in supply
wear out: no longer function
be a steal: be surprisingly cheap
get out from under: pay all of one's bill
land on one's feet: get out of trouble
lay off: temporarily dismiss someone from a job
live it up: spend money freely
make a living: earn enough money to pay one's living expenses
run: cost
in the red: in debt
be/go broke: have no money
come up in the world: gain wealth, success, importance
break even (on sth.): sell for the amount of money invested

good dialogues and lots of idioms to remember (and learn to use in daily dialogue).

[:801:]

thanks!