Lesson 16 -- Bob Brings the Cookies to the Village Market

 

Lesson 16 -- Bob Brings the Cookies to the Village Market

Speak English Like an American -- Lesson 16

Bob brings Carol the cookies. He tells Carol that baking the cookies was easy because he had lots of help.

 

Carol:  Bob, how did the baking go?

Bob:    Slow at first, but we are getting the hang of it.

Carol:  Once you learn the ropes, it becomes second nature.

Bob:    To tell you the truth, I thought that baking 2,000 cookies
           would be a pain in the neck. But we managed to round up
           some helpers, and it was a piece of cake.

Carol:  Well, thanks for coming in person with the cookies.

Bob:    No problem. When will you need more?

Carol:  It depends on how many we sell today.

Bob:    How many do you think you'll sell?

Carol:  Maybe 500, maybe 2,000. Your guess is as good as mine.
           In any case, I'll keep you posted.

Bob:    Okay, just give me a ring as soon as you know.

Idioms,

At first – in the beginning

(to) get the hang of (something) – to learn how to do something; to acquire an effective technique

(to) give (someone) a ring – to telephone someone

In any case – whatever the fact is; certainly

In person – personally; in one’s physical presence

(to) keep posted – to provide up-to-date information

(to) learn the ropes – to learn the basics

Pain in the neck – an annoyance

Piece of cake – very easy

(to) round up – to gather people together

Second nature – a behavior that has been practiced for so long, it seems to have been there always

To tell you the truth – to speak openly; to admit

Your guess is as good as mine – I don’t know; I don’t know any more than you do