More Speak English Like an American Lesson 5 Idioms and Expressions MCQ Test
Lesson 5: Mark Cancels His Date With Sara
MARK CANCELS HIS DATE WITH SARA
Mark has to tell Sara, his current girlfriend, tha bad news: he has to cancel their date for Saturday night. He makes up a story about a friend who needs his help. He invites Sara to go out for dinner on Monday night instead.
Mark: I’m afraid I’m going to have to cancel for tomorrow night.
Sara: What? I bought tickets for the Lenny Kravitz concert. I was going to surprise you!
Mark: Those must have cost a small fortune!
Sara: They did.
Mark: Well, I’m sorry to back out on you at the eleventh hour, but something came up. I can’t get out of it.
Sara: What came up?
Mark: An old friend of mine is in bad shape, and he really needs my help on Saturday night.
Sara: Oh, really?
Mark: I’ll make it up to you.
Sara: How?
Mark: How about I treat you to dinner at that new restaurant, Café Felix, on Monday night?
Sara: Well, I’m still PO’ed about Saturday. But, okay, I’ll take you up on your offer.
IDIOMS
- I’m afraid
→ I’m sorry to say (usually said before giving somebody bad news)
Example: I’m afraid I’m not going to be able to make it to your house for dinner on Friday night.
Example: “Can you attend the conference?” – “I’m afraid not.”
- (to) cost a small fortune
→ to be very expensive
Example: We tried to do it as cheaply as possible, but remodeling our kitchen ending up costing a small fortune.
- (to) back out
→ to cancel a plan; to refuse to do something already agreed to
Example: You said you’d host the group of 10 visiting dancers from Russia. Don’t try to back out now.
- at the eleventh hour
→ at the last minute; right before an activity is to happen
Example: I’m sorry to cancel at the eleventh hour, but I’m not going to be able to drop you off at the airport this afternoon.
- something came up
→ an unexpected activity or obligation has arisen (often used when you need to cancel another plan and you don’t want to say exactly why)
Example: I know I promised to take you to San Francisco next weekend, but something came up.
- (to) get out of it
→ to free oneself from an obligation or activity
Example: What do you mean you can’t take me to the movies tonight? You promised me a week ago you’d take me. Don’t try to get out of it!
- in bad shape
→ not doing well, either physically or mentally
Example: Kevin was in bad shape after the car accident.
Example: After her dog died, Heidi was in bad shape.
- (to) make it up to you
→ to do something nice for you (said when you have to cancel an arrangement and want to offer to make the same or similar arrangement in the future)
Example: Sorry I have to cancel our trip to London, but let me make it up to you. I’ll take you to New York next weekend.
- how about
→ what if; let me
Example: I don’t like the ballet. How about we go to the opera instead?
- (to) treat someone to (dinner, lunch, drinks, etc.)
→ to take somebody to a meal, etc., at one’s own expense
Example: I’d like to treat you to dinner on Saturday.
- PO’ed
→ angry; annoyed
Example: When Amanda found out that her boyfriend Tyler had invited Megan to the school dance, she was really PO’ed.
Note: This slang term is short for “pissed off” and is considered vulgar by some.
- (to) take someone up on an offer
→ to accept an offer
Example: You’re willing to translate this report into Spanish? Okay, I’ll take you up on your offer.
