Lesson 20 -- Bob Gets an Angry Call From Carol Speak English Like an American -- Lesson 20
Carol calls Bob to tell him that a customer found a hair in her cookie. Bob wants Carol to forget about this, but Carol thinks it's very serious. She refuses to buy any more cookies from Bob.
Carol: Bob, a lady came into the Villiage Market today ranting and raving. Bob: Oh yeah? What happened? Carol: She found a blue hair in her chocolate chip cookie. Bob: Aha, I can see how she'd be taken aback. Carol: Does anybody in your family have a blue hair? Bob: As a matter of fact, my son's girlfriend Amber has blue hair. Carol: Bob, I can't sell your cookies any more. Bob: Aren't you blowing things out of proportion? Carol: The health department would throw the book at me if they found out about this. Bob: Could we just sweep this under the rug? Carol: No, it's too serious. Bob: But I was just getting a handle on the cookie business. Now what will I do? I don't have any other way of making a living. Carol: My heart goes out to you, Bob, but you need to get your act together. I want to sell chocolate chip cookies, not hair cookies! Bob: I guess I just knocked myself out for the past week for nothing. Carol: Clearly!
Idioms,
As a matter of fact – in fact; actually (to)blow things out of proportion – to exaggerate; to make more of something than one should (to) find out – to learn ; to discover (to) get a handle on – to gain an understanding of (to) get one’s act together – to get organized; to start operating more effectively (to) knock oneself out – to work very hard at something (sometimes too hard) One’s heart goes out to (someone) – to feel sorry for someone (to) rant and rave – to talk loudly , often in anger (to) sweep (something) under the rug – to hide something, often a scandal
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