Speak Business English Like an American Lesson 22 Idioms and Expressions Test
LESSON 22 – Calling in Sick
CALLING IN SICK
Maria calls her boss, Scott, to tell him she’s not feeling well and that she s going to have to take a sick day. Fortunately, Scott is an understanding boss.
Maria: Hi, Scott, it’s Maria.
Scott: Hey Maria. What’s up?
Maria: I’m not feeling well today.
Scott: Oh yeah? What’s wrong?
Maria: My stomach is killing me. Maybe it’s the sushi I ate last night. I’m as sick as a dog.
Scott: Sara called in sick today also. And Kurt just told me he was feeling under the weather today. I’m not feeling so hot myself. Maybe there’s something going around.
Maria: Well, I hope you don’t catch it too.
Scott: I can’t afford to get sick. I’m up to my ears in work.
Maria: I should be back in the office tomorrow.
Scott: Don’t worry about that. You should stay home until you feel better.
Maria: I’ll try to work from home this afternoon if I feel better.
Scott: Take it easy today. We want you back in tip-top shape.
IDIOMS
- What’s up?
→ 1) What’s happening? What’s new?. 2) A polite way of asking “What do you want?” when somebody calls or comes into your office.
EXAMPLE1: What’s up? I haven’t seen you in a long time.
EXAMPLE2: “What’s up?” – “I came by to see if you’re free for lunch today.”
- my stomach (my head, my arm, etc…) is killing me
→ my stomach (my head, my arm, etc…) hurts very badly
EXAMPLE: Patricia left the office early today. Her stomach was killing her.
- as sick as a dog
→ very sick
EXAMPLE: Brent got the flu and was as sick as a dog for a week.
- (to) call in sick
→ to phone into the office and say you’re sick
EXAMPLE: Try not to call in sick too often. Employers don’t like it.
- under the weather
→ not feeling well
EXAMPLE: “You look pale. Is everything okay?” – “Not really. I’m feeling under the weather.“
- (to) not feel so hot
→ to feel sick; to not feel well
EXAMPLE: Jacob canceled our meeting for this afternoon. He said he wasn’t feeling so hot.
- there’s something going around
→ there’s an illness traveling around the office; many people are getting sick from some illness
EXAMPLE: Be sure to wash your hands often. There’s something going around the office, and you don’t want to catch it.
- can’t afford to
→ don’t have time for; don’t want to
EXAMPLE: Sorry, I can’t afford to sit here and argue with you. I’ve got a lot of work to do.
- up to one’s ears in work
→ to have a lot of work; to have too much work
EXAMPLE: Bill is up to his ears in work. He won’t be able to meet with you until next week.
- (to) take it easy
→ to relax; to rest; to not do too much
EXAMPLE: You worry too much about everything. You need to just take it easy.
- in tip-top shape
→ in great condition; completely healthy
EXAMPLE: Be sure you’re in tip-top shape next week for our trip to Beijing.
