Reading Speak English Like an American(2) Bob Returns Home with

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Lesson Two Bob Returns Home with Bad News

Bob tells his wife Susan that he lost his job. Susan suggests that he start his own business.

Susan: What’s the matter, dear?
Bob: Susan, I got canned today at work.
Susan: But Bob, you were Peter’s right-hand man!
Bob: Yes, and he stabbed me in the back.
Susan: Keep your chin up. Maybe he’ll change his mind and take you back.
Bob: When pigs fly! Once he makes up his mind, he never changes it. Besides, I told him off.
Susan: Look on the bright side: you won’t have to set eyes on Peter ever again.
Bob: Thank goodness for that!
Susan: Hang in there. I’m sure you won’t be out of work for long.
Bob: In the meantime, we’ll have to live from hand to mouth.
Susan: Don’t get too stressed out, Bob. We’ll make ends meet.
Bob: I can always get a job at McDonald’s as a last resort.
Susan: I don’t think they’re hiring right now.
Bob: If worse comes to worst, we can sell our home and move into a tent.
Susan: Let’s think big! Maybe you can start your own business.
Bob: Easier said than done!


Idioms – Lesson 2

(to) change one’s mind – to change one’s opinion or decision

改變主意或決定

easier said than done – more difficult than you think
比想像中困難得多65533;;說起來容易做起來難

(to) get canned [slang] – to lose one’s job; to get fired
[俚語] – 丟掉工作;被解雇

(to) hang in there – to persevere; to not give up
堅持;不放棄

if worse comes to worst – in the worst case; if absolutely necessary
在最糟糕的情況下,如果有必要的話…

(to) keep one’s chin up – to stay positive
保持積極的態度

last resort – if there are no other alternatives left; the last solution for getting out of a difficulty
如果別無他法;走出困境的最後手段

(to) live from hand to mouth – to barely get by; to be poor
勉強糊;生活拮據

(to) look on the bright side – to be optimistic; to think about the positive part or aspect of a situation
樂觀看待;考慮積極的方麵

(to) make ends meet – to manage one’s money so as to have enough to live on; to be okay financially
量入為出

out of work – unemployed; not working
失業;

right-hand man – the most helpful assistant or employee
(左右手)– 最得力的助手或雇員

(to) set eyes on – to look at; to see for the first time

(to) stab someone in the back – to betray someone
(背後捅人一刀) – 背叛某人    

(to be) stressed out – under severe strain; very anxious
承受極大壓力;十分焦慮

(to) tell off – to scold; to tell someone what one really thinks
責備;以強硬口吻將真實想法告訴某人

thank goodness – I’m grateful; I’m relieved
謝天謝地;鬆了一口氣

(to) think big – to set high goals
製定遠大目標

What’s the matter? – What’s the problem?
發生什麼事情了?

When pigs fly! [slang] – never
[俚語] – 不可能的事    



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