Lesson 16

BOB BRINGS THE COOKIES TO THE VILLAGE MARKET

Bob brings Carol the cookies. He tells Carol that baking the cookies was easy because he had lots of help.

Carol: Bob, how did the baking go?
Bob: Slow at first, but we’re getting the hang of it.
Carol: Once you learn the ropes, it becomes second nature.
Bob: To tell you the true, I thought that baking 2,000 cookies would be a pain in the neck. But we managed to round up some helpers, and it was a piece of cake.
Carol: Well, thanks for coming in person with the cookies.
Bob: No problem. When will you need more?
Carol: It depends on how many we sell today.
Bob: How many do you think you’ll sell?
Carol: Maybe 500, maybe 2,000. Your guess is as good as mine. In any case, I’ll keep you posted
Bob: Okay, Just give me a ring as soon as you know.

IDIOM – LESSON 16

at first – In the beginning
Ex1: Nicole didn’t like Don Quixote at first, but after 200 pages she started to get into it.
Ex2: Don’t get discouraged if you don’t succeed at first. The important thing is that you keep on trying!
(to) get the hang of (something) – to learn how to do something; to acquire an effective technique.
Ex: Billy had trouble learning how to drive a bike, but after a few months he finally got the hang of it.
(to) learn the ropes – to learn the basic
Ex: David worked at a big law firm for 10 years where he learned the ropes. Now he runs his own law firm.
second nature – a behavior that has been practiced for so long, it seems to have been there always.
Ex: With practice, riding a unicycle become second nature.
To tell you the true – to speak openly; to admit
Ex: To tell you the true, Ted isn’t a very good student.
pain in the neck – an annoyance
Ex: Yesterday I had to stay home all day and wait for the repairman. What a pain in the neck
(to)round up – to gather people together
Ex: The town round up 200 volunteers to search for the hiker, who was lost in the woods of Yosemite National Park.
piece of cake – very easy
Ex: Nicole finished her physics test in just 25 minutes. It was a piece of cake.
in person – personally, in one’s physical presence.
Ex: After hearing so much about Donna’s boyfriend, I’m looking forward to meeting him in person
Your guess is as good as mine – I don’t know; I don’t know any more than you do
Ex: Will we ever find intelligent life on other planets? Your guess is as good as mine
In any case – what ever the fact is; certainly
Ex: We can either go to the new Star Wars movie or see a play tonight. In any case, you’ll need to be at my house by 6.00.
(to) keep posted – to provide up-to-date information
Ex: Keep me posted about your plans for the summer. If you’re going to be at your cottage on the lake, I’d love to come visit.
(to) give (someone) a ring – to telephone someone
Ex: Give me a ring tomorrow so we can discuss plans for this weekend.
Ex2: If you’re free on Saturday, give me a ring and we can go to the movie.


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Lesson 17

CAROL TELLS BOB THE GOOD NEWS

Carol phones Bob to tell him the cookies are selling very well and that she needs another 1,000 by the morning. Bob isn’t sure he can make the cookies so quickly, but Carol insists.

Carol: Bob, you wife’s cookies are selling like hotcakes!
Bob: How many did you sell, Carol?
Carol: We’ve sold out. I need more right away! Bring me another 1,000 by tomorrow at 9 a.m.
Bob: That’s a tall order, Carol.
Carol: Don’t blow it, Bob! Susan’s Scrumptious Cookies could really take off.
Bob: I know, but I am not sure we have enough time to bake all those cookies.
Carol: Bake all night if you have to. Burn the midnight oil! If you work hard now, you’ll be sitting pretty in a few years.
Bob: Rest assured that I’ll do my best to deliver the goods.
Carol: Okay, now let’s stop the chitchat. You’ve got work to do!

IDIOM – LESSON 17

(to) sell like hotcakes – to sell fast; to be a popular item
Ex: Those new Fubu blue jeans are selling like hotcakes. All