Idiomatic American English - Lesson 17+18 - Thấm Tâm Vy

Thẩm Tâm Vy, July 12, 2019 PRACTISE AMERICAN ENGLISH 9

IDIOMATIC AMERICAN ENGLISH 9

Lesson 17. Play It by Ear Dialogue Don: He butted in and loused up the deal. Scott: Don't worry. We'll iron out the problems. Just play it by ear. Don: Do you think we'll still get our foot in the door? Scott: Oniy if we handle them with kid gloves. We don't want to get the brush-off. Don: I'll make sure he doesn't put his foot in his mouth again. Vocabulary - butt in: (v.) interfere - louse up: (v.) ruin - iron out: (v.) work out - play it by ear: (v.) make your decision according to the situation - foot in the door: (n.) opening; hopeful beginning of success - handle with kid gloves: (v.) be very careful, tactful - get the brush-off: (v.) be ignored or dismissed - make sure: (v.) see about something yourself, check - put one's foot in one's mouth: (v.) speak carelessly, make a rude or insensitive comment

PRACTICE Exercise I. Complete the sentences with the correct idiom. a) iron it out b) play it by ear c) lousedit up d) handle them with kid gloves e) the brush-off f) foot in the door g) puts his foot in it h) butt in i) make sure 1. Before I go out, I.................. have my keys and money. 2. They're very sensitivepeople.You have to...................... 3. He doesn'tthink of what he'ssayingand usually...................... 4. When two peopleare arguing,You should not...................... 5. They had a big fight, but now they want to...................... 6. She didn't want to speak to him, so she gave him...................... 7. She asked me to type the letter for her. I made so many mistakes. I...................... 8. That companywon't give me any business. Maybe if I take their executivesout to dinner, I'll get...................... 9. I'm not sure we should tell them our plans. We'll have to...................... Exercise II. Rewrite the phrases in italics, using the proper idiomatic expression. 1. You have to be very careful what you say to her. 2. Try to work out your differences. 3. Don't ruin my plans. 4. Please don't interfere with my life. 5. If I'm granted an interview for that job, it's the only opening I'll need. 6, Don't speak carelessly because you may hurt someone. 7. They ignored me. 8. Wait until you find out what's happening before you decide what to do. 9, Before you leave the house, check that the door is locked.

Lesson 18. A Song and Dance Dialogue Mark: Don't give me a song and dance. It's time you stood on your own two feet. Phil: I gave it my best shot but any ideas I've had, you've shot full of holes. Mark: Your ideas haven't been up to par lately. That's why I've thrown cold water on them. Phil: I've been upset because I've been called on the carpet. The boss is cracking down. Mark: I heard. I'll try to smooth things over. Vocabulary - song and dance: (n.) excuses - stand on one's own two feet: (v.) be independent - give it one's best shot: (v.) try very hard - shoot f'ull of holes (v.) find great fault with - up to par (neg.): (adv. or adj.) meeting normal standards - throw cold water on: (v.) discourage - call on the carpet: (v.) reprimand - crack down: (v.) become more strict - smooth something over: (v.) make better or more pleasant

PRACTICE Exercise I. Complete the sentences with the correct idiom.

a) give it my best shot b) stand on your own two feet c) a song and dance

d) throwing cold water on e) shot it full of holes f)up to par g) called him on the carpet h) smooth things over i) crack down 1. I want you to clean your room and then do your homework. I don't want to hear...................... 2. I have a headache and don't feel...................... 3. I've never done that work before, but give it to me and I'll...................... 4. She wants to move into her own apartment but her parents are the idea. 5. He is a very poor worker and he's absent a lot. Yesterday the boss...................... 6. They had a big fight but they're trying to...................... 7. You can't be dependent on …