14/09/2022
PHARASAL IDIOMS:
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⭕Most American idioms consist of phrases. Imagine that Henry Smith (the man we met in Lesson Three) has bought out his no-good partner and is trying to restructure his business. He calls his employees together for a meeting in an effort to get the company back on track (moving in the right direction again).
In the meeting, Mr. Smith speaks off the cuff. He says, "I'm not going to beat around the bush today. I'm going to lay the cards on the table. Our company is on the rocks financially, and if we don't get on the ball, we're going to lose everything. We blew it last year, and now we are facing the music. We're at the end of our rope. But if we put our shoulder to the wheel, I think we can keep this company from biting the dust.
"Here's the plan. Here's what I'm asking you to do: Keep your ear to the ground for new ideas. Pick the brains of people in-the-know. Then clue me in. That won't get under my skin. We're all in this thing together. We're all in the same boat. So, let's keep a stiff upper lip. And above all, let's keep our noses clean.
"If you hear gossip about a fellow-employee, keep it under your hat. If someone causes you a problem, go to him and mend your fences. But if you see someone stealing or doing something illegal, blow the whistle on him. That kind of person will pull the rug out from under all of us.
"When talking to a customer, try not to put your foot in your mouth. If a customer says something you don't like, don't get on your high horse and put him down. Listen to him, and try to be patient and kind.
"We'll be operating on a shoestring, but I think we can pull this thing together. And we can have a ball doing it. So, let's take the bull by the horns, tighten our belts, and turn over a new leaf. We're going to pass this test with flying colors. By this time next year, we'll be singing a different tune. Well, are you with me? Are you ready to get your feet wet?"
As Mr. Smith finished his pep-talk, his employees burst into applause. His speech brought down the house.
🔘Vocabulary Study:
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✔1. OFF THE CUFF (adverb): informally, without advance preparation.
✅2. BEAT AROUND THE BUSH (verb): slang for talking in circles.
✔3. LAY THE CARDS ON THE TABLE (verb): to let people know exactly what you are thinking.
✅4. ON THE ROCKS (adjective): ruined, destroyed, wrecked.
✔5. GET ON THE BALL (verb): slang for being alert and getting to work.
✅6. BLOW IT (verb): slang for making a serious mistake.
✔7. FACE THE MUSIC (verb): to pay the consequences.
✅8. END OF ONE'S ROPE (noun): the end of one's ability and ideas.
✔9. PUT ONE'S SHOULDER TO THE WHEEL (verb): putting one's total energy and effort into a task.
✅10. BITE THE DUST (verb): to fall in defeat.
✔11. PUT ONE'S EAR TO THE GROUND (verb): give attention to what is going on and to what people are saying.
✅12. PICK THE BRAINS OF (verb): To borrow ideas from someone.
✔I13. IN THE KNOW (adjective): expert; someone with knowledge.
✅14. CLUE ONE IN (verb): to inform someone.
✔15. GET UNDER ONE'S SKIN (verb): to irritate and upset someone.
✅16. KEEP A STIFF UPPER LIP (verb): to face trouble courageously.
✔17. KEEP ONE'S NOSE CLEAN (verb): slang for staying out of trouble.
✅18. KEEP UNDER ONE'S HAT (verb): to keep something a secret.
✔19. MEND ONE'S FENCES (verb): to make amends and restore friendship.
✅20. BLOW THE WHISTLE ON (verb): slang for informing on someone.
✔21. PULL THE RUG FROM UNDER (verb): to suddenly remove someone's support.
✅22. PUT ONE'S FOOT IN ONE'S MOUTH (verb): to carelessly say things that hurt someone's feelings.
✔23. ON ONE'S HIGH HORSE (adjective): acting superior to others and becoming angry and unfriendly.
✅24. PUT ONE DOWN (verb): to belittle someone with insults.
✔25. ON A SHOESTRING (adverb): on a low budget; with no money to waste.
✅26. HAVE A BALL (verb): slang for enjoying oneself.
✔27. TAKE THE BULL BY THE HORNS (verb): to act decisively.
✅28. TIGHTEN ONE'S BELT (verb): to spend less money than usual.
✔29. TURN OVER A NEW LEAF (verb): to start agai