Daily Conversation Part 3

7/30/2019 Daily Conversation Part 3

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Daily conversation (Part 3)

Looking back on his life in flashback !!!

Graham I've just seen a really interesting foreign movie.

Eliza Really ? Where was it made ?

Graham In Iran. I didn't even know it had a movie industry.

Eliza Neither did I. What was it about ?

Graham It was about an old man on his deathbed looking back on his life inflashback.

Eliza Sounds a bit depressing.

Graham Not at all, he had had a very exciting life.

Explanation :

Flashback - In a film, novel, or play, a flashback to the past is a scene that returns toevents in the past.

Example : There is even a flashback to the murder itself.

There'll be just a few trailers !!!

Walt Thank goodness the ads are over. They go on for far too long.

Ingo Yes, there'll be just a few trailers and then the movie will start.

Walt I don't mind trailers, at least they're not trying to sell you anything.

Ingo Of course, they are, they're trying to sell you the latest movies.

Walt Well, I suppose so, but they're a lot more exciting than the ads.

Ingo If you ask me, they're sometimes a lot more exciting than the moviesthemselves.

Explanation :


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A trailer for a film or television program is a set of short extracts which are shown toadvertise it.

Example : .... a misleadingly violent trailer for the film.

Where are you off to !!!

Augus Where are you off to in such a hurry ?

Martin I'm just off to the movie theater to see the latest Nicole Kidman movie.

Augus I've seen it, it's really good. Have you got a ticket ?

Martin No, I'll buy one at the box office.

Augus You could have saved yourself a lot of time by buying it on the internet.

Martin I didn't know you could do that. You must show me how to do it.

Explanation :

Off- away from a place or position, especially the present place or position

I got them through my friend !!!

Melanie You're looking very pleased with yourself ? How come ?

Jim Look what I've got - two tickets for the premiere of the latest Tom Cruisemovie and the reception afterwards.

Melanie Wow! How did you get them ?

Jim I got them through my friend. His brother's in the movie distributionbusiness.

Melanie Are they good seats ?Jim I'll say. They're in the front row of the balcony, right in the middle.

Explanation :


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If you do something through someone else, they take the necessary action for you.

I've still got a long way to go !!!

Shawn Did you enjoy our round of golf ?

Jack I certainly did. It's the first time I've managed to break 75 for the course.

Shawn That's true, so well done ! It shows how much you've improved.

Jack Perhaps, but I've still got a long way to go before I can be really satisfiedwith my game.

Shawn What aspect of your game do you think needs improving most ?

Jack Oh, without doubt my short game. I seem to drive reasonably well but I

tend to drop shots around the green.

The camera zoomed in on the girl's face !!!

Rosalind I've just seen an absolutely wonderful movie, so romantic.

Fiona What was it about ?

Rosalind It was a very sad love story.

Fiona How did it end ?

Rosalind The camera zoomed in on the girl's face as her lover was being forced toleave her, probably forever. Tears were just beginning to roll down hercheeks.

Fiona Too gloomy for me I'm afraid. I like comedies.

Explanation :

If a camera zooms in on something that is being filmed or photographed, it gives a close-up picture of if.

Example : ..... a tracking system which can follow a burglar round a building andzoom inon his face ......

They were all dubbed into German !!!


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Simon I've just come back from a great week in Germany staying with my friend,

but there was one thing I didn't like much.

Martin Don't tell me it was the beer ?

Simon No, of course not; that was great. It was when they showed English-language movies on TV. They were all dubbed into German, whichrather spoiled them for me.

Martin Your German's very good, so what was the problem ?

Simon It just seemed a bit unnatural to see Tom Hanks in an American scene withGerman coming out of his mouth.

Martin But that's done for the Germans' benefit, not yours.

Explanation :

If a film or soundtrackis dubbed, a different sound track is added with actors speaking atranslation of the dialogue.

Example : It was dubbed into Spanish for Mexican audiences.

She sounds really star-struck !!!

Jack My teenage sister really gets on my nerves at times.

Bill Why's that ? Does she spend hours making up in the bathroom ?

Jack No, it's not that, she just keeps going on and on about how wonderfulLeonardo Di Caprio is.

Bill Well, a lot of girls really go for him.

Jack But she's got dozens of his picture all over her bedroom wall and shewatches his movies over and over again on her DVD player.

Bill She sounds really star-struck.

Jack That's putting it mildly.

I want to see the credits !!!


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Vivienne Come on, let's go, the movie's over.

Zelda No, wait, I want to see the credits right through to the end.

Vivenne Why, they list everybody including the studio cleaner. It'll take forever.

Zelda My sister's in the movie business and she worked on this movie.

Vivenne Really, what does she do ?

Zelda She's a make-up artist. Look, there she is, that's her name just coming upnow. My mother will be so pleased when I tell her.

Explanation :

The list of people who helped to make a film, a record, or a television program is called

the credits.

Example : The star Marlon Brando wants his name removed from the credits.

For a time we thought ... !!!

Jules Has everything been dealt with now ?

Marcel Yes, the casualties have all been taken to hospital, the electricity supplyhas been restored and traffic is now flowing normally.

Jules What a difference from the chaos and confusion of two hours ago.

Marcel Yes, for a time we thought we might have to call for reinforcements, butthank goodness in the end we didn't' have to.

Jules Well it just remains for me to express our admiration for the exemplaryway in which you dealt with a difficult and dangerous situation.

Marcel I was just doing my job and I'm very glad that there were no fatalities.

Explanation :

For a time = for a short period

A good cause !!!


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Becky How many kilometers did you run ?

Joe I ran the full course, which is just over 40 kilometers.

Becky And how much money did you raise for our charity ?

Joe Almost $2,500. People were very encouraging and generous.

Becky Well, we'd all like to congratulate you on your achievement.

Joe I'm just glad to be able to contribute to a good cause.

Explanation :

If you say that something is in a good cause, or for a good cause, you mean that it isworth doing or contributing to because it will help other people for example by raising

money for charity.

Example : The Raleigh International Bike Ride is open to anyone who wants to raisemoney for a good cause.

You're the tops !!!

Veronica I'm so fed up with being stuck in the house all day.

Raquel Well you can't expect to be up and about so soon after breaking your leg.Veronica I suppose not, but it is very frustrating. I can't wait to get the plaster off.

Raquel I know, I know, but I've brought something to cheer you up.

Veronica What is it ? Don't keep me in suspense.

Raquel It's a bottle of the very latest French perfume.

Veronica Oh, how thoughtful of you. Raquel, you're the tops.

Explanation :

The tops = the best

Example : You are the tops, Linda !


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Example : The food was first-class.

You don't look a day over forty !!!

Jean So you're Mary's friend. I'm very pleased to meet you.

Marion It's a pleasure to meet you too. Mary has told me that you also working inmarketing.

Jean Yes, but as you know, she is in shoes, while I'm in cosmetics.

Marion Were you at school together with her ?

Jean No, no, I'm ten years older. We met much later.

Marion What ! I can't believe it. You don't look a day over forty.

The dish is too hot !!!

Rita I'd like to order the special please.

Waiter I'm sorry you can't do that. The dish is too hot.

Rita Please don't tell me what I can or cannot eat. I love spicy food. I can eat itso bring me the special no matter how hot it is.

Waiter It's not spicy, I meant it's a hot item tonight and we've sold out. The specialis unavailable

Rita Ah, sorry.

I can't praise the quality of your advice too highly !!!

John Did you get the result you were hoping for ?

Vera Yes we did, and largely thanks to you.

John What do you mean ?

Vera Well, it was largely your guidance that made it possible.

John Well, I'm sure that wasn't the most important thing.

Vera Yes, it was, and I can't praise the quality of your advice too highly.


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You have such good taste !!!

Tracy So this is your new apartment.

Charlene Yes, I moved in a month ago.

Tracy Well, I have to say it looks fantastic. Did you decorate and furnish ityourself.

Charlene Yes, I did. It took me quite a lot of time.

Tracy Well, I must say you have such good taste in interior decor. It could havebeen done by a professional designer.

Charlene Oh ! I don't think so, but I'm glad you think it's nice.

Explanation :

Taste - A person's ability to judge and appreciate what is good and suitable, especially inart, beauty, style and manners.

Example : Barbara has good taste in clothes.

You could do just as well !!!

Jack Those watercolors are really beautiful.

Caroline I'm glad you like them. I painted them last year.

Jack You painted them yourself ? I can't believe it, they're so good.

Caroline They're not that good, but I'm glad you like them.

Jack You're so talented, I wish I had your skill.

Caroline You should try your hand yourself, I'm sure you could do just as well ifnot better.

You've excelled yourself !!!

Al That was an absolutely delicious meal.

Isabel I'm glad you enjoyed it. It's a recipe I haven't tried before.


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Al Your cooking is always superb but this time you've excelled yourself.

Isabel Sounds like you want to get something out of me.

Al Don't be suspicious, I really meant it.

Isabel Well, they always say that the way to a man's heart is through his stomach.

Explanation :

Ifone excels himself, he does better than what he is regularly doing.

Example : You have excelled yourselfwith this feat of courage.

Minimize the capital gains tax !!!

Kathleen Have you finished my accounts yet ? I sent you all the paperwork threeweeks ago.

Damien Well, almost but I've still got some work to do on your investments andyour real estate.

Kathleen What's the problem ?

Damien There's no problem, but you sold some shares during the financial year atquite a profit and you also made a lot of money on the apartment you

sold. Those were capital gains.

Kathleen So what you are trying to do ?

Damien Well I'm working on how I can minimize the capital gains taxyou'regoing to have to pay on the money you made from the sale of those assets.

Explanation :

Capital gains are the profits that you make when you buy something and then sell it

again at a higher price.

Example : Gains from the sale of privately-owned cars and household goods are exemptfrom capital gains tax.

Cut to the bone !!!


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Coral Morale is a bit low in our company at the moment, especially in the HR

department where I work.

Shelby I'm not surprised, business hasn't been good at all lately.

Coral It certainly hasn't and it's forecast to get worse.

Shelby What effect will that have on your plans for the next financial year ?

Coral Well, all departments are being told to economize, and the HRdepartment's training budget is being cut to the bone.

Shelby That's surely a bit short-sighted. I would have thought that upgrading theskills of its staff should be a high priority for any company.

Explanation :

If something such as costs are cut to the bone, they are reduced to an absolute minimum.

Example : Profit margins have been slashed to the bone in an attempt to keep turnovermoving.

Splashing his money around !!!

Scot That's the third round of drinks that Melvyn has bought in the club thisevening.

Kyle He was doing the same the day before yesterday.

Scot He's not normally so generous. What's going on ?

Kyle He's not, but he's trying to get elected to the club committee. Theelections are next week at the AGM.

Scot So that's why he's splashing his money around. I'd call that attemptedbribery.

Kyle I wouldn't worry. He's not that popular and it'll take more than a few

drinks to buy members' votes.

They're mortgaged up to the hilt !!!

Sandy I'm a bit worried about our son and his wife.

Desmond Is their marriage going rocky ?


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Sandy No, not at all. But they've just bought a large apartment nearer the citycenter and it cost them an absolute fortune. They've both got to beworking to afford the mortgage payments.

Desmond So they're mortgaged up to the hilt.

Sandy Too true and what I'm worried about is what would happen if either ofthem lost their jobs.

Desmond Yes, if that happened, they would really struggle to keep up the monthlypayments on their mortgage.

Explanation :

' To the hilt ' and ' up to the hilt ' mean to the maximum extent possible or as fully aspossible

Example : She was in this right up to the hilt.

Like there is no tomorrow !!!

Libby What's in that bag ? Whatever it is, I bet it was expensive.

Penny It's a new cocktail dress, absolutely irresistible.

Libby That's the second dress you've bought this month and you've already

bought three pairs of new shoes.

Penny A girl needs to look her best at all times.

Libby But you've been spending like there's no tomorrow.

Penny Do you want me to go round looking like a tramp ?

Explanation :

If someone does something like there is/was no tomorrow, they do it very fast, in largeamounts and without thinking carefully

Example : After his win on the football pools, he began spending money like there wasno tomorrow.

Pay through the nose !!!


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Teddy Did you have a good time in Thailand ?

Martin We did. We traveled all over the country and saw some fantastic sights.

Teddy What was the accommodation like ?Martin Very good everywhere we went. And the people were very friendly.

Teddy Sounds perfect.

Martin It was, almost. But I had to make a couple of international phone callsfrom one of the hotels and I really had to pay through the nose forthose.

Explanation :

If you say that you paid through the nose for something, you are emphasizing that youhad to pay what you consider too high a price for it.

Example : We don't like paying through the nose for our wine when eating out.

Shell out a lot more money for extras !!!

Billie Did you enjoy your theme park visit ?

Vaughan On the whole yes; there was certainly a lot to see and we had a very fullday.

Billie You don't sound totally enthusiastic.

Vaughan Well that's because the entrance fee was quite high, but once inside wehad to shell out a lot more money for extras which I think ought to havebeen included in the ticket price.

Billie What sort of extras ?

Vaughan Well, for example, traveling between the different attractions on the

electric bus. We had to pay for each separate journey.

Explanation :

If you shell out for something, you spend a lot of money on it.


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Example : Do you expect me to shell out to gratify your vanity ?

She blows all her money !!!

Terri Hettie was complaining to me yesterday that there's always so muchmonth left at the end of the money.

Marlene She's always moaning like that. She just can't manage her money.

Terri But she's always dressed like a film-star.

Marlene Well, that's just it. She blows all her money on clothes and shoes andwonders why she's always so short of cash at the end of the month.

Terri I suppose she is rather extravagant.

Marlene She certainly is. She needs to learn how to budget.

Explanation :

If you blow a large amount of money, you spend it quickly on luxuries.

Example : Before you blow it all on a luxury cruise, give a little thought to the future ...

Made an absolute mint !!!

Vera Have you seen Henry lately ?

Sally Yes, I saw him only yesterday driving around in a brand-new, top-of-therange Mercedes.

Vera My sister's in real estate and she told me that he had also just bought aluxury penthouse apartment.

Sally Where does he get the money from for all that ?

Vera Haven't you heard ? He's made an absolute mint from property deals.

Sally He really is a shrewd operator.

Explanation :

If you say that someone makes a mint, you mean that they make a very large amount of


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money.

Example : He made a mint in the computer industry.

Throwing good money after bad !!!

Rudy We're having such problems with our database software.

Diane Does it crash a lot ?

Rudy It does but it also seems to be full of bugs, which gives us inaccurateresults at times.

Diane That's bad. What are you going to do about it ?

Rudy Well we're thinking of getting a software consultant in to get the bugs out

of the system.

Diane That could be throwing good money after bad. Why don't you buynewer and more reliable software ?

Explanation :

If you say that someone is throwing money after bad, you are critical of them for tryingto improve a bad situation by spending more money on it, instead of doing morethoughtful of practical things to improve it.

Example : Do you know that he has gambled away the $5,000 you lent him last time ? Ifyou lend him any more money, you are throwing good money after bad.

He really played hardball !!!

Kevin Did you sign the star mid-fielder from Brazil ?

Alex We did, but it took hours of really tough negotiation.

Kevin Was he making really big demands ?

Alex It wasn't him, it was his agent. He really played hardball.

Kevin So he was after the maximum he could get for the star and himself.

Alex Absolutely and he threatened to pull out of negotiations if he didn't getwhat he wanted.


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our managing director is very much against.

Wensley So health insurance is the sticking point. How are you going to getround it ?

Marnie We're working on that right now.

Explanation :

A sticking point in a discussion is a point on which it is not possible to reach anagreement

Example : The sticking point in the negotiations proved to be the money question.

A sense of what their bottom line is !!!

Jean So how are we going to conduct this negotiation ?

Angus Well, obviously we're not going to put our cards on the table straightaway.

Jean No, that would be naive. We've got to get a feel for what their negotiatinglimits are.

Angus That's right. We really need to get a sense of what their bottom line is.

Jean Then we'll know how far we can push them.

Angus Yes, but remember they will be doing the same in relation to us.

Explanation :

The bottom line in a business deal is the least a person is willing to accept.

Example : She says $95,000 is her bottom line.

Haggle over every penny of the deal !!!

Virginia Did you get that fashion order from Fashion International ?

Alice Yes, but it was really hard work.

Virginia I'm not surprised. They're known to be a tough bunch to do business with.


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Alice They certainly are. Their buyer haggled over every penny of the deal.

Virginia That's why the company's so profitable.

Alice Too right. Still their order will give us work for the next three months.

Explanation :

If you haggle, you argue about something before reaching an agreement, especially aboutthe cost of something that you are buying.

Example : Of course, he'll still haggle over the price.

We've got a win-win situation !!!

Jason We'll give you the order if you can guarantee delivery in three weeks.

Keith If you confirm the order today, we'll deliver in two weeks. We'll have tobecause we have an urgent order that we must start working on in twoweeks' time.

Jason If you can deliver in two weeks, that would give us a big advantage overour competitors.

Keith We definitely can, our workers are very experienced and we have thelatest equipment.

Jason Looks like we've got a win-win situation here. You've got our order.Keith That's great. We'll start on it straight away.

Explanation :

A win-win situation is one in which an agreement is reached that is beneficial to bothsides.

Give me 10% off !!!

Vernon So you want to book ten people in for three nights, 1st to 3rd December ?

Elizabeth That's right, what would your rate be for a group of that size ?

Vernon Eighty dollars per person per night.


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Elizabeth That's only 5% less than your individual rate. Give me 10% offand I'llconfirm the booking.

Vernon A 5% reduction for groups is company policy. I can't offer any more thanthat.

Elizabeth So that's your final offer ?Vernon Yes.

Elizabeth Let me think about it.

Explanation :

10% off - 10% less than the original price

Example : There's 10% offthis week on all winter coats.

There was no give and take at all !!!

Paul That was a really hard negotiation.

Kate I can see; you look really exhausted. What was the problem ?

Paul They were very inflexible and just stuck to their original position.

Kate So there was no give-and-take at all.Paul No, none at all, because they knew they were in a very strong position.

Kate No wonder you had such a hard time.

Explanation :

If you say that something requires give and take, you mean that people mustcompromise for it to be successful.

Example : If the dispute is to be resolved there must be some give and take.

They used pressure tactics !!!


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Gordon You don't look too pleased. What happened ?

Chris They gave us a really tough time and forced us to agree to sell at thelowest possible price.

Gordon Couldn't you have done better than that if you'd tried harder ?

Chris Not really, they used pressure tactics.

Gordon What do you mean ?

Chris They said that if we didn't agree to their terms they would take all theirexisting business with us away. So we really had no choice.

Explanation :

Tactics are the methods that you choose to use in order to achieve what you want in aparticular situation.

Example : He pressed on in the hope that a few others would join him. Thetactic paidoff.

They beat us down as far as they could !!!

Guy Which company were you selling to ?

Harry Compexon, it's a number one in automotive components.

Guy Did you get a good deal ?

Harry Not really. They beat us down as far as they could.

Guy That's tough. Where do you go from here ?

Harry We'll have to reduce our costs a lot to make any real profit on the deal.

Explanation :

If you beat down a person who is selling you something, you force them to accept alower price for it than they wanted to get.

Example : Beat down the seller to the price that suits you.


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The going rate for my job !!!

Manager So what makes you think you're worth a raise in salary ?

James Well, first of all I've been responsible for a ten per cent increase in sales

since I joined the company.

Manager That may be true, but the market in general has been expanding in thatperiod.

James I've also improved my department's efficiency and cut its costs by sevenper cent.

Manager OK, OK, what are you looking for ?

James I want an annual salary that at least matches the going rate for my job,which is currently $80,000. That means a raise of $ 7,500.

Explanation :

The going rate or the going salary is the usual amount of money that you expect to payor receive for something.

Example : That's about half the going price on world oil markets.

We'll meet you halfway !!!

Mr. Armstrong We can offer you ten thousand pieces for immediate delivery at $500per thousand.

Mr. Hawkins Four hundred fifty dollars would be a fairer price. We could get themfrom Vortex for that price.

Mr. Armstrong But you know as well as I do that the Vortex company is in no positionto offer immediate delivery.

Mr. Hawkins Five hundred dollars is considerably more than the market rate andwe're not going to pay more than that.

Mr. Armstrong OK, we'll meet you halfway : $475

Mr. Hawkins We can live with that. You've got a deal.

Explanation :


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If you meet someone halfway, you accept some of the points they are making so thatyou can come to an agreement with them.

Example : The Democrats are willing to meet the president halfway.

You drive a hard bargain !!!

Mr. Klein This price leaves us with a very small margin.

Ms. Johnson It's the best price that I can offer.

Mr. Klein What about another two per cent. It's not much to ask.

Ms. Johnson No, as I said, that's our best price.

Mr. Klein You drive a hard bargain.

Ms. Johnson Not hard, just fair.

Explanation :

If people drive a hard bargain, they argue with determination in order to achieve a dealwhich is favorable to themselves.

Example : Ukraine was always gong to drive a hard bargain before signing the treaty.

Put your cards on the table !!!

Gavin We've put forward a number of possible options for an agreement. Nowwe need you to make a decision.

Jake None of them seem to us completely satisfactory. We'd like to exploreother possibilities.

Gavin Look, there's no point in dragging this negotiation out, and we need a

decision by the end of the day.Jake We would like to consider all possible options.

Gavin We've considered all the realistic ones. It's time to put your cards on thetable and make your position clear.

Jake At this point I think our side had better take some time out so that we candiscuss among ourselves.


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Make the shortlist !!!

Eva Victoria's done ever so well, hasn't she ?

Loretta Yes, to make the shortlist for a manager's job in our biggest bank is a realachievement.

Eva When's the interview ?

Loretta Next week. She told me that it's not just an interview, but a whole day withtests and exercises as well.

Eva Sounds really tough. Rather her than me.

Loretta Yes, but she's very capable and pretty resilient, so I think she'll do well.

Explanation :

If someone is on a shortlist, for example for a job or a prize, they are one of a smallgroup of people who have been chosen from a larger group. The successful person is thenchosen from the small group.

Example : If you've been asked for an interview you are probably on a shortlistof nomore than six.

I'm still working on my career portfolio !!!

Greta How is your job hunting going ?

Orlando I haven't really started yet because I'm still working on my careerportfolio.

Greta Is that the same as a resume or c.v. ?

Orlando It's similar but it's more detailed. It will give potential employers acomplete picture of my qualifications, experience and capabilities.

Greta That will be quite a folder.

Orlando Not only a folder. I'm planning to upload it to my website.

Greta Wow ! That sounds really impressive.

Explanation :


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Job hopper - Someone who keeps changing jobs.

Fill the gaps !!!

Adrienne Would you mind looking over my resume, I'm thinking of applying for ajob near my boyfriend.

Tessa Not at all, let's have a look.

Adrienne What do you think ?

Tessa Well, overall I think it's very impressive. But there are one or two gaps ofseveral months in your resume where you don't list what you were doing.

Adrienne Does that matter ? I was traveling actually.

Tessa Well it might make a potential employer suspicious and they ask a lot ofquestions about it in a job interview. So I think it's best to fill the gaps andlist what you were doing.

Explanation :

Gap - If there is something missing from a situation that prevents it being complete orsatisfactory, you can say that there is a gap.

Example : China can't fill the economic gap left by the cut in Soviet support ...

Tailor your resume to fit the job !!!

Danny I'm thinking of applying for a marketing manager's job.

Victor Well you've got plenty of experience, so you should have a good chance.

Danny I'm going to work on my resume tonight after work.

Victor I'd wait until you get the job description if I were you.Danny Why do you say that ?

Victor Well then you'll be able to tailor your resume to fit the job.

Explanation :


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If you tailor something such as a plan or system to someone's needs, you make itsuitable for a particular person or purpose by changing the details of it.

Example : ... scripts tailored to American comedy audiences.

I've just put in an application !!!

Eddie I'm really fed up with my present job.

Samantha Really ? What's the matter with it ?

Eddie It's so boring, the pay's miserable and there's no appreciation.

Samantha I'm sorry to hear that. What are you going to do about it.

Eddie I've already done something. I've just put in an application for a betterpaid and higher status job in the company where my brother works.

Samantha Well I hope you get an interview. I'm sure you will.

Explanation :

If you put in a request ( application ) or put in for something, you make a formalrequest or application.

Example : I decided to put in for a job as deputy secretary.

It must have finally given up the ghost !!!

Harley This fax machine's suddenly started making a strange noise in the middleof my fax job.

Julia Look, the screen has gone blank too.

Harley Oh no ! It's stopped dead and this is a really urgent job.

Julia It's quite an old machine. I thinkit must have finally given up the ghost.

Harley Just my luck ! What am I going to do now ?

Julia There's another fax on the next floor down. Why don't you try that one.


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Explanation :

If someone gives up the ghost, they stop trying to do something because they no longerbelieve they can do it successfully ...

Example : Economics required George Bush to give up the ghost on what was acampaign pledge.

From telephone to fax mode !!!

Susie I need to send this fax to my brother but I'll have to telephone him first.

Leo Why do you have to do that ?

Susie He's only got an old-fashioned fax machine and one telephone line so I'vegot to ask him to switch his machine from telephone to fax mode before Istart.

Leo He must have a pretty ancient machine.

Susie It's not that old and it still does the job.

Leo But it's very inconvenient. You should persuade him to buy a more modernmachine with automatic switching.

Space is at a premium !!!

Zara I'm going to start working from home in a few weeks. I've already got acomputer. What other equipment do you think I'll need ?

Otis Well apart from a telephone of course, you'll need a fax, a printer and away of copying documents.

Zara My home office is quite small. Will they take up much room on my desk ?

Otis They will take up a certain amount of room. But ifspace is at a premium,you could get one of the all-in-one machines.

Zara What advantage do they have ?Otis You get a telephone, fax machine, document scanner and printer all

combined into one fairly compact unit.

Zara That sounds just what I need.

Explanation :


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Elvira Try telling him that the new machines are a lot cheaper to run.

Explanation :

If you are fed up, you are unhappy, bored, or tired of something, especially somethingthat you have been experiencing for a long time.

Example :I am fed up with reading how women should dress to please men ...........

I've got a spare one !!!

Bertie Do you mind if I use your fax to make a quick copy ?

Louise Not at all. Help yourself.

Bertie I've put the document in and pressed the button, but nothing's happening.

Louise Let me have a look. Ah, that winking red light means the ink cartridge isempty.

Bertie Oh, what a shame !

Louise No, don't worry. It doesn't take a second to replace the ink cartridgeand I've got a spare one here.

Explanation :

Spare - An extra thing which is not being used and which can be used instead of a partwhich is broken, lost, etc.

I'll go for the entry-level model !!!

Carl I'm thinking of buying a fax machine.

Denis That's a good idea. They are still quite useful, even though peopleincreasingly send documents via computer these days.

Carl I have been having a look around and there seem to be so many differentmodels on the market.

Denis So what kind are you going to buy ?

Carl Well I thinkI'll go for an entry-level model because our requirements are


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Caroline I never liked him anyway. I just hope she has better luck next time.

Explanation :

Turn tail - To turn around and run away, usually because you are frightened

I left it too late !!!

Lily How are your shares doing this year ?

Kevin Not as well as I expected. Over half of them are down.

Lily What were you hoping for ?

Kevin Well I hit the bull's-eye with hotel shares last year. They went up a lot andI was expecting them to do even better this year.

Lily Hotel shares are well down this year. You should have sold them beforethey dropped so far.

Kevin I know, but I left it too late. Now nobody wants them. Just my luck.

Explanation :

If you leave something too late, you delay doing it so that when you eventually do it, it isuseless or ineffective.

Example : I hope I haven't left it too late.

I'd take that with a pinch of salt !!!

Lennie I've just been talking to John James.

Peter That's interesting. What did he say ?

Lennie He told me how well his company was doing.

Peter Really ? I'm surprised. From what I've heard things aren't going well forhim.

Lennie Well he told me that he expects his order book will soon be full.

Peter I'd take that with a pinch of salt if I were you. He's known for being


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Maxine You don't look too cheerful, what's the matter ?

Jeanie I've just moved in with a new roommate and she smokes quite a lot.

Maxine Oh dear, that's not very healthy for either of you. You should have a wordwith her about it.

Jeanie I know, but I don't want to offend her, she's very nice otherwise.

Maxine Look, it's so important that you'll just have to take the bull by thehorns and suggest that she smoke outside.

Jeanie Well, I'll think about it.

Explanation :

If you take the bull by the horns, you do something that you feel you ought to do eventhough it is difficult, dangerous, or unpleasant.

She needed a shoulder to cry on !!!

Oliver Why are you so late ? Problems with your make-up ?

Dodie Don't be sarcastic. It was my girlfriend Susie.

Oliver What's her problem this time ?

Dodie She's just broken up with her boyfriend so she needed a shoulder to cryon.

Oliver She never seems to be able to hang on to anyone for very long.

Dodie It's not her fault, she just seems to have bad luck with men.

Explanation :

If someone offers you a shoulder to cry on or is a shoulder to cry on, they listen

sympathetically to all your troubles.

Example : Roland sometimes saw me as a shoulder to cry on.

She's got a bee in her bonnet !!!


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Veronica My mum's making life difficult for my dad at the moment.

Julie Why, what's she doing ?

Veronica She's got a bee in her bonnet about healthy eating after reading a dietbook and she's trying to make him eat a more healthy diet.

Julie What's wrong with that ?

Veronica Well, a lot of the stuff he likes, she won't let him eat because she says it'sbad for him.

Julie He's going to have to do as he's told. Your mother's a determinedcharacter.

Explanation :

A bee in one's bonnet - If you have a bee in your bonnet about something, you keepmentioning it or thinking about it.

Example : He's got a bee in his bonnet about factory farming.

Looks like the cat that swallowed the canary !!!

Mollie I've just seen Winnie. She gets all the luck.

Anne Why, what's happened ?Mollie She's just got a fantastic job as a top fashion buyer.

Anne Well that was always her dream. She must be very pleased.

Mollie More than that; she looks like the cat that swallowed the canary.

Anne You can't blame her, she's done very well for herself.

Explanation :

Looks like the cat that swallowed the canary - to look smug or smugly guilty

He's got his head screwed on !!!

Samantha This stock market crash is really bad.


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Edgar This is our new photocopier. What do you think of it ?

Cathy It looks very compact and stylish but how easy is it to use ?

Edgar It's a lot easier than previous models. The designers have put a lot ofthought into making it easier to use.

Cathy What's the main thing they have done ?

Edgar They've made the control panel very clear and intuitive, so that you won'twaste a lot of time working out how to operate it.

Cathy The proof of the pudding is in the eating. Let me have a try.

Explanation :

Thought - Thought is the activity of thinking, especially deeply, logically, or withconcentration.

Example : He had given some thought to what she had told him.

Have your work cut out !!!

Fay I've got 40 copies of this draft report to make by lunchtime.

Ingrid It's huge. It must be at least 100 pages. You'll have your work cut out.

Fay When the committee has made all the changes it considers necessary. I'llhave to print out another 40 copies of the final version.

Ingrid If it's only the draft report this time, why don't you copy it using the toner-saving mode ?

Fay What's the advantage of that ?

Ingrid The photocopier will use a lot less toner and the job will be done quicker.

Fay Will the text still be legible ?

Ingrid Of course. I use toner-saving mode all the time without any problems.

Explanation :

Have your work cut out - If you say that you will have your work cut out to dosomething, you mean that it will be a very difficult task.


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Example : The new administration has its work cut out for it. Creating jobs in this kindof environment is not going to be easy .....

A multifunctional photocopier !!!

Aaron Our photocopier has just about reached the end of its useful life.

Yasmin I know, the boss has already decided to replace it.

Aaron Do you know what he's going to replace it with ?

Yasmin Yes, he said he's going to go for a multifunctional photocopier.

Aaron I've never heard of those. What do they do ?

Yasmin They both photocopy and print so you get a photocopier and printertogether for not much more than the price of one machine.

On the blink !!!

Marvin Just what I need ! I've got a really urgent copying job and thephotocopier's on the blink.

Cherie What's the matter with it ?

Marvin I'm not sure, but when this light is blinking, it means the machine is out of

order.

Cherie Don't worry, I'll call the Service Department. They can normally get atechnician here in under half and hour.

Marvin Thanks a lot. This sort of things always seems to happen when I've got anurgent job to do.

Cherie I know. It can be really frustrating at times.

Explanation :

On the blink - If the machine goes on the blink, it stops working properly.

Example : ....... an old TV that's on the blink.


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Made mincemeat of !!!

Babs Well that was one of the more lively committee meeting I've attended.

Eamonn Yes, the discussion became quite heated at times.

Babs I felt a bit sorry for David when he challenged the chairman about theaccounts.

Eamonn I did too. The chairman really made mincemeat ofhim.

Babs That was because David hadn't got all his facts right.

Eamonn That's right. I think he'll prepare a bit more thoroughly next time he thinksabout doing something like that.

Explanation :

Make mincemeat ofsb - To defeat someone very easily in an argument, competition orfight

Example : The Brazil National Team made mincemeat ofthe Hong Kong Team on 9February 2005, when they won with a score of 7 to1.

Went up the wall !!!

Sidney Gordon's really in trouble with his father.

Jerome Yes, his sister told me. Still it's his own fault.

Sidney Yes, fancy borrowing his father's car without permission.

Jerome And then crashing it into the garage door.

Sidney No wonder his father went up the wall.

Jerome It's understandable; the repairs are going to cost him a fortune.

Explanation :

Drive sb up the wall - To make someone extremely angry

Example : When his son fails an examination, he runs up the wall.


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Explanation :

If you say that someone or something gets up your nose, you mean that they annoy you.

Example : He's just getting up my nose so much at the moment.

You really are an eager beaver !!!

Gerard Could you take the documents to the copy bureau and get two sets please?

Fiona I've already done that. They're on your desk.

Gerard Oh well done. In that case, I'd like you to book the flights and hotel formy San Francisco trip next week.

Fiona I did that yesterday. I also got you a great deal on a hire car while you'rethere. I'm now working on the preparations for your meetings when youget back.

Gerard That's fantastic. You really are an eager beaver.

Fiona Just doing my job.

Explanation :

Eager beaver - An exceptionally zealous person, one who habitually takes on more tasksor works harder than others

Example : Our new colleague is a real eager beaver, and seems to work with boundlessenergy.

Cut me dead !!!

Melanie Well I just couldn't believe it.

Imogen You don't look best pleased. What happened ?

Melanie I bumped into Dana in the street just now and started to talk to her but shejust cut me dead.


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Daily Conversation Part 3

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Transcript of Daily Conversation Part 3