Idiomatic American English - Lesson 15 High off the hog - Thấm Tâm Vy

Thẩm Tâm Vy, July 11, 2019 PRACTISE AMERICAN ENGLISH

IDIOMATIC AMERICAN ENGLISH 8

Lesson 15. High Off the Hog Dialogue Grace: Somedayyou'll be living high off the hog but right now I know you’re strapped. Kay: Don't worry. I'll land on my feet. Grace: You're always in there pitching. You don't let any grass grow under your feet. Kay: That's true. Even if a job's not so hot, I'il take a crack at it. Grace: I know. You've worked in a sweatshop and now you're slinging hash. Vocabulary - live high off the hog: (v.) have many luxuries, be very comfortable - strapped: (adj.) having no money available - land on one's feet: (v.) come out of a bad situation successfully - in there pitching: (adj.) making an effort, trying - let grass grow under one's feet (neg.): (v.) waste time, be lazy - not so hot: (adj.) not very good - take a crack at: (v.) try, attempt - sweatshop: (n.) a factory that has poor conditions, long hours, low pay - sling hash: (v.) be a waitress

PRACTICE Exercise I. Complete the sentences with the correct idiom.

a) not sohot b) sweatshop c) let any grass grow under her feet d) slinging hash

e) land on his f'eet f) take a crack at g) living high off the hog

h) strapped i) in there pitching 1. She has four children, works full-time, and is active in politics. She doesn't .................... 2. If you can't understand that problem, let me.................... it. 3. Jane helped pay lbr some of her college expenses by working in a diner.................... 4. I know it's not easy getting a job. At least you are.................... 5. Even though he's having a difficult time financially, he will work it out and.............. 6. Before they won the lottery, they didn't have much money. Now they are.................. 7. His wife just had a baby. I wouldn't ask him to lend me money now. He's probably.... .................... 8. They told me the new restaurant had delicious food but the place is really................... 9. When he first came to this country, he found it difficult getting a job. He took a job in a factory where the conditions were poor. It was a .................... Exercise II. Rewrite the phrases in italics, using the proper idiomatic expression. 1. They spend a lot of money and live very well. 2. That factory has poor working conditions. 3. She's a waitress. 4. He doesn't have any money right now. 5. He may be having a little trouble now, but he'll be successful.

6. He goes from one project to another. He doesn't waste any time. 7. If he doesn't succeed, he'll try again. 8. That movie was prettty bad. 9. That subject is difficult, but he'll attempt to learn it.

Lesson 16. Straight from the Horse's Mouth Dialogue Artie: How did you get wind of that terrific business deal? Jason: I got it straight from the horse's mouth, and I'd like to get in on the ground floor. Artie: I hope nobody beats you to the punch. Maybe we should both jump on the bandwagon. Jason: Do you think we'll clean up? Artie: I'm sure we'll make a pretty penny. Vocabulary - get wind of: (v.) find out, hear gossip or rumors about - straight from the horse's mouth: (adv.) directly from the person involved - get in on the ground floor: (v.) do something before someone else can - beat someone to the punch (draw):(v.) start from the beginning so you'll have full advantage of any favorable outcome - jump (/ get / climb) on the band-wagon: (v.) join a popular activity - clean up: (v.) make a big profit - pretty penny: (n.) a lot of money

PRACTICE Exercise l. Complete the sentences with the correct idiom.

a) straight from the horse's mouth b) beat everyone to the punch

c) cleaning up d) get in on the ground floor e) got wind of

f) a pretty penny g) got on the bandwagon 1. That's a beautiful sports car. I'm sure it costs.................... 2. Let's be the first to sign up for the cruise to Bermuda.We'll.................... 3. That information is definitely true. I got it.................... 4. They made a lot of money investing in that …