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| The horse on the right has the inside track. (Wikipedia) |
Note: This column and the three others (#01-094, #01-095, and #01-096) were written as the Olympic Torch toured the world in 2008. It seemed fitting, then, that we again turned to sports-inspired idioms.
Get Ready: Have you ever been to a horse race? Have you ever betted on one (or anything else)?
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| Someone has been fouled. (Wikipedia) |
Note: This column and three others (#01-094, #01-095, and #01-097) were written as the Olympic Torch toured the world in 2008. It seemed appropriate at that time to examine some sports-inspired idioms.
Get Ready: Do you play basketball? Or watch it on TV? What do you like about it? What don't you like?
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| A quarterback is about to receive the ball. (Wikipedia) |
Note: This column and three others (#01-094, #01-096, and #01-097) were written as the Olympic Torch toured the world in 2008. It seemed fitting to look at some sports-inspired idioms at that time.
Get Ready: Have you ever watched a game of American football? What can you say about it?
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| All kinds of balls (Wikipedia) |
Note: This column and the following three (#01-095, #01-096, and #01-097) were written as the Olympic Torch toured the world in 2008. It seemed fitting, then, that we again turned to sports-inspired idioms.
Get Ready: Do you play any sports? Do you know any idioms that come from sports you play (or used to)?
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| When some people hear "A Team," they think of these guys. (Wikipedia) |
Note: Jordan and Joanne have to recommend someone from their sales department to be a new rep. Meet ten more "Office Animals."
Get Ready: Have you ever had to work with a do-nothing, a has-been, or a know-it-all? Which do you think is the worst?
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| A green light means "GO!" (Wikipedia) |
Note: A paragraph on negotiation uses slang terms that can help you understand the world of business. Pick up ten more terms in this lesson.
Get Ready: Which do you think is the better result of a negotiation: win-win, or win-lose? In other words, do you think it's best if both sides get what they want? Try to think of some examples.
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| The literal back burners on a stove (Wikipedia) |
Note: David, Mike, and Ann have a bull session--a fairly informal meeting--and naturally use lots of slang!
Get Ready: Have you ever had to "go back to square one" with something you were working on? How did it make you feel?
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| Muhammad Ali, three-times heavyweight champion of the world (Wikipedia) |
Note: A final lesson on terms used in boxing, the so-called "sport of kings." Here's a mixed bag of various idioms. See Lessons #01-079 and #01-080 for more boxing idioms.
Get Ready: Why do you think a brutal sport like boxing was called "the sport of kings"?
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| Famous boxing announcer Howard Cosell gave "blow-by-blow" coverage. (Wikipedia) |
Note: American English is filled with a surprising number of idioms drawn from the world of boxing. Here are some about hitting people. The following two lessons, #01-080 and #01-081, will also be about boxing.
Get Ready: Have you ever punched somebody, or been punched? Why?
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| We all know how it feels... (Wikipedia) |
Note: If your boss has too short a fuse, you might end up getting your walking papers--but don't get stressed out!
Get Ready: What do you find is the best way to relax when you feel stressed out?
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| Poster of a film titled with the newly-popular phrase "Gung ho!" (Wikipedia) |
Note: Would you rather have a "golden parachute" or "get the old heave-ho"? In this lesson and #01-074, we'll learn some idioms often used in business.
Get Ready: How would you tell someone he or she is fired? Have you ever been fired?
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| John Wayne, the greatest cowboy star of all time (Wikipedia) |
Note: Many of the colorful expressions used by America's cowboys can--spice up your speech--if used with caution!
Get Ready: Have you ever heard "cowboy talk" in a movie or TV show? What is it like?
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| Reporters take part in a public relations event. (Wikipedia) |
Note: Like any aspect of culture, the business world is filled with idioms. Let's learn ten more, this time terms that can be used in "PR" or public relations.
Get Ready: Why is it necessary for companies to specifically nurture their relationship with the general public (beyond their own customers)?
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| Tom Cruise starred in Jerry Maguire, the film that suggested the title for this lesson. (Wikipedia) |
Note: English has a lot of idioms regarding money. Let's learn a few!
Get Ready: After his meal, a man says to his waiter, "Can I use plastic?" What do you think he means?
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| Which of these gents do you think is the "bigwig"? (Wikipedia) |
Note: Let's go back to the Human Zoo from Lesson #01-050 and visit ten more strange animals. They may be found in the office, or even on the loose out in the world!
Get Ready: The two words in the title describe different kinds of people. Do you know other funny words to describe people?
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| Is one of these people a bean counter? Or a pencil pusher? (Wikipedia) |
Note: White-collar types come in many types, from "office boys" and secretaries to top executives. Inthis lesson and the nexty, we'll look at nicknames for all kinds of "office animals."
Get Ready: What sounds like an exciting job in an office? What sounds like a boring one? Is there any office job you would like to have?
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| How much would you pay for this car? (Wikipedia) |
Note: Let's find out the differences--and the risks--of buying a used car from a private party instead of a dealer.
Get Ready: Have you ever sold a used car? How would you write an ad for your car (real or imaginary)?
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| A small used car lot (Wikipedia) |
Note: In May of 2007, the newspaper I worked for in Shenzhen, China, reported that over a million cars had been registered in that city, and new cars were being sold at a rate of over 200 per day. (Quick math: six months later--when I wrote this lesson--times 30 days times 200 cars equals over 36,000 more cars in the hands of Shenzheners!)
Get Ready: Have you ever bought a used car? What might an ad for such a sale look like?
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| What a "hottie" looked like in the Renaissance (Wikipedia) |
Note: We continue listening in on Brad and Jeff from the previous listen, hoping to learn some more general slang terms.
Get Ready: What would cause you to quit a job (or change schools)? In other words, when would a boss's or teacher's requests become too much?
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