All in a Day's Work

Level: B2

A. … So how did it go?

B. Well, at first he wouldn't open up, and I had to try to draw him out. He's a bit shy, you know, and calms up easily, but between you and me, I reckon he fancies me. Then, I was about to ask him to stop beating about the bush and tell me how he really felt about me when Jenny butted in on us-

A. Uh oh. Here comes my boss. I'll have to go.

B. Okay. I'll call later to pick up on-

A. Bye. [Hangs up.] Good morning, ma'am.

C. Morning. Was it Martha in Human Resources?

A. Yes, ma'am.

C. Don't let that girl bend your ear about her silly problems. And don't let her in on what we're planning.

A. No, ma'am. I can hold my tongue.

C. I hope so. You were supposed to touch base with her boss, Mr. Parker.

A. I tried but couldn't get through to him.

C. All right. Any calls?

A. Yes, ma'am. Ms. Bennett from Accounting made an early call.

C. Oh, her. She badly wants to be in the loop on our campaign, but I can't possibly let her get wind of our plans.

A. Yes, she definitely said you are actively cutting her out of the loop.

C. Now, lend an ear to me, Margaret. Bennett's a cunning woman, and very persuasive. Even I had to bit my tongue once while talking to her on the phone the other day.

A. I'll be careful, ma'am.

C. Good. Now, get in touch with Mr. Parker asap. Tell him I'll see him after the management meeting this afternoon to compare notes with him.

A. I'll call him right away. Is that all, ma'am?

C. Yes, for now.

Glossary

open up (to someone) (about something)- stop being shy and talk freely;

draw someone out- encourage someone to talk and express themselves freely;

calm up- refuse to talk;

between you and me- this is private;

beat about/around the bush- talk about something for a long time and avoid to talk about the main point;

butt in (on someone)- rudely interrupt a conversation;

pick up on something- return to a point or subject already mentioned or discussed;

bend someone's ear (about something)- talk for a long time;

let someone in on something- tell a secret to someone;

hold your tongue or bite your tongue- stop yourself from saying something that may cause a problem;

touch base (with someone)- talk to someone briefly to find out about something;

get through (to someone)- reach someone on the phone;

in the loop/out of the loop- included in/excluded from those people that deal with something important;

get wind of something- find out about a secret;

lend an ear (to someone)- listen to someone;

in touch (with someone)- communication with someone;

compare notes (with someone)- share opinions about the same event, situation, etc.

Eyes Bigger than Stomach

Level: B2

You say she's furious? I don't see why she should be! I mean we just had a small party with the guys. Man, I love breaking bread with my buddies. We occasionally get together and whip up something and drink to each other's health. That's all. We don't usually pig out. Last night, of course, was a bit different. Your favourite team doesn't win every day, right? So we put away pizza and Chinese takeaway, and we broke out champagne to wash down the sausages and burgers we found in the fridge. Furious, is she? Well, maybe we stuffed ourselves a little bit; Doug definitely ate like a horse, as usual; there's no denying that. But Bryan didn't. His girlfriend had dumped her, and all he did last night was to sit quietly and pick at his food. He tanked up on the booze, though, surely to drown his sorrows. Did she say why she's so mad at me? What? I'm eating her out of house and home? Come on! It's not fair! Not fair at all! And after all we've been through. How long have I known her? Oh, we met at the game last night.

Glossary

break bread with someone- eat together;

whip up something- quickly make something to eat;

drink to someone/something- wish someone success, health, etc. before having an alcoholic drink;

pig out- eat a lot of food all at once;

put something away- eat or drink a lot;

break something out- serve food or drink;

wash something down- drink something to help you swallow food or medicine;

stuff yourself or stuff your face- eat so much that you cannot eat anymore;

eat like a horse- eat a lot;

pick at something- eat small amounts with no enjoyment;

tank up on something- drink a lot;

drown your sorrows- drink a lot of alcohol to forget your problems;

eat someone out of house and home- eat a lot in someone’s home;

Fiona's Presentation

Level: B2

A. How did you like the meeting yesterday?

B. Well, Fiona's presentation was fantastic!

A. You can say that again! Her performance was brilliantly flawless, her report was amply informative and her poise was admirable!

B. And how! The boss must have loved it, too.

A. On the contrary. He doesn't seem to see eye to eye with Fiona on several points.

B. He doesn't? But he looked so interested at the meeting.

A. You've got to be kidding! He was deliberately playing games on his phone during her presentation. Anyway, I don't reckon he'll be around for long.

B. No?

A. Of course not. He's at odds with the board of directors on almost everything. They have taken issue with him over his latest changes in the Public Relations Department. They feel he should have sounded out the board about the changes first.

B. You seem so well-informed.

A. You bet I am! I'm his secretary after all. And I can assure you he's in for it really soon. But I'm glad I said my piece at the meeting. Fiona gave a dazzling performance, and the staff had to speak up. I'm convinced she has won over the board of directors. I wish you had put in your two pennyworth, too.

B. You must be kidding! You know I can't be on a different wavelength from the boss.

A. I can understand where you're coming from, but he's your husband only at home; you do have the right to disagree with him at work.

B. Well, maybe you're right.

Glossary

You can say that again!- I agree with you completely.
And how!- I agree with you strongly.
On the contrary- the opposite of the last thing said;
(not) see eye to eye with someone (on/about something)- (not) agree with someone;
You've got to be kidding! or You must be kidding!- I don't agree; you are joking.
be at odds with someone (over/on something)- disagree with someone;
take issue with someone/something- start disagreeing with;
sound someone/something out (about something)- try to find out what someone thinks about a plan or idea;
You bet- I agree; I'm willing to do what you suggest.
be in for it- be going to experience something unpleasant very soon;
say your piece- say exactly what you think or feel;
speak up (for someone/something)- say what you think clearly and freely especially in order to support or defend someone/something;
win someone over- get someone's support or approval by persuading them that you're right;
put in your two pennyworth (UK) or put in your two cents’ worth (US)- give your opinion about something even if other people do not want to hear it;
be on the same/a different wavelength as/from someone- have the same or different opinions and feelings;
where someone is coming from- what causes someone to have a particular opinion or say or do something;