Speak English Around Town Lesson 25 Idioms, Proverbs, Expressions MCQ Test

LESSON 25 – Reacting to Bad News

REACTING TO BAD NEWS 

Jenny runs into her friend Carol in the supermarket. Jenny asks. Carol how she’s been and Carol tells her all her bad news. Jenny responds with sympathy and offers her support.

Jenny: Hi, Carol. How’s life been treating you?

Carol: I’ve been better. I’m going through a rough patch.

Jenny: Sorry to hear that. What’s going on?

Carol: My husband and I are splitting up. I found out he’s been cheating on me for years with his receptionist.

Jenny: I’m speechless!

Carol: Fortunately, I wasn’t speechless when I found out. I gave him a piece of my mind!

Jenny: Good! And how’s your son John doing? Did he manage to find a job since we last spoke?

Carol: No such luck. Poor John fell off the roof a couple weeks ago while doing some repairs and broke both his legs!

Jenny: You must’ve been beside yourself!

Carol: I was a basket case for several days. Now he’s on the road to recovery, but it’s going to take a while.

Jenny: If you ever want to talk, just give me a call.

Carol: I would enjoy getting together.

Jenny: Okay. I’ll stop by later this week.

Language Lens: When Two Verbs Are Together

When there are two verbs in a row (one after the other), the second verb is sometimes in the infinitive form (“to” form) and sometimes in the gerund form ( ending in -ing). The first verb determines (Verb 1) the form of the second verb (Verb 2). Study these two tables with common verbs.

IDIOMS

• basket case

→ an emotional and/or physical mess

Example: After her house burned down, Donna was a basket case.

• beside oneself

→ very upset

Example: When Tracy’s boss told her she wasn’t doing a good job, she was beside herself.

• (to) cheat on someone

→ to have romantic relations on the side, with somebody other than one’s partner

Example: After Nancy read the text messages on her husband’s cell phone, she realized he was cheating on her.

• (to) find out

→ to discover facts about someone or something

Example: I just found out that Tanya is pregnant.

• (to) get together

→ to meet with someone (usually socially)

Example: I’d love to get together on Saturday if you have time.

• (to) give someone a piece of one’s mind

→ to tell someone what one really thinks

Example: Our waiter has been really slow all evening. I’m going to give him a piece of my mind!

• (to) go through a rough patch

→ to have a lot of problems during a time period; to experience a period of bad luck

Example: Joe lost his job last week and this week his girlfriend broke up with him. He’s going through a rough patch.

• How’s life been treating you?

→ How are you?; How’ve you been?

Example: “How’s life been treating you?” – “Can’t complain.”

• I’ve been better

→ things are not going well for me

Example: “How are you doing?” – “I’ve been better.“

• no such luck

→ we haven’t had good fortune in that area; we haven’t been so lucky

Example: “Did your boss let you out early for the holiday weekend?” – “No such luck.“

• (I’m) sorry to hear that

→ that’s too bad; I feel bad for you

Example: “I got fired yesterday.” – “Sorry to hear that.“

• speechless

→ unable to speak due to surprise; shocked

Example: After being fined $300 for a speeding ticket, Wendy was speechless.

• (to) split up

→ to break up; to end a marriage or other intimate relationship

Example: After years of fighting, Irene and her husband finally split up.

• (to) stop by

→ come over (often for a short visit)

Example: If you’re in my neighborhood on Saturday, please stop by.

• on the road to recovery

→ starting to get better

Example: Stephanie was sick with the flu for a week, but now she’s on the road to recovery.