[Unit 2C] It's like walking on eggshells

Question 1

Emma doesn’t want to b_ her brother _. (= kick him out of the flat)

Answer 1

Emma doesn’t want to boot her brother out.

Question 2

And and he’s just so v_ (his moods change all the time and he might get extremely upset or even aggressive) - it’s like walking on eggshells half the time.

Answer 2

And and he’s just so volatile (his moods change all the time and he might get extremely upset or even aggressive) - it’s like walking on eggshells half the time.

BrE /ˈvɒlətaɪl/
AmE /ˈvɑːlətl/

Question 3

In what cultures do they tend to beat around the bush and in what cultures do they tend to g_ s_ _ _ point?

Answer 3

In what cultures do they tend to beat around the bush and in what cultures do they tend to get straight to the point?

Question 4

What else is going on today, then?
N_ m_.

Answer 4

What else is going on today, then?
Nothing much.

Question 4

He g_ _ _ nerves, (меня подбешивает) to be honest. There’s just not enough space!

Answer 4

He’s getting on my nerves, (меня подбешивает) to be honest. There’s just not enough space!

Question 5

And he’s so volatile - it’s like w_ _ e_ half the time! (= to be very careful not to offend or upset someone)

Answer 5

And he’s so volatile - it’s like walking on eggshells half the time!

Extra example: I was always on eggshells when my family came to stay.

Question 6

Isn’t it about time you asked him to leave?
Well, I keep _ hints, but he doesn’t seem to notice.

Answer 6

Isn’t it about time you asked him to leave?
Well, I keep dropping hints, but he doesn’t seem to notice.

or: keep giving him hints

Question 7

Isn’t it about time you asked him to leave?
Well, I keep dropping hints, but he doesn’t notice [add ‘seem’].

Answer 7

Isn’t it about time you asked him to leave?
Well, I keep dropping hints, but he doesn’t SEEM TO notice.

Question 8

[talking about being direct] Why don’t you just t_ him s_, then? Don’t beat around the bush.

Answer 8

[talking about being direct] Why don’t you just tell him straight, then? Don’t beat around the bush.

notice that there’s no /h/ in ‘him’ here!

Question 9

[talking about being direct] Why don’t you just tell him straight, then? Don’t b_ a_ the _ (не ходи вокруг да около).

Answer 9

[talking about being direct] Why don’t you just tell him straight, then? Don’t beat around the bush (не ходи вокруг да около).

Or: beat about the bush

Question 10

There’s a lot to be said for being u_ a_ th_. [= being direct, not concealing anything]

Answer 10

There’s a lot to be said for being upfront about things.

Question 11

You just c_ _ a _. (не понимаешь намёков) That’s your problem. [notice that ‘that’s your problem’ is pretty aggressive!]

Answer 11

You just can’t take a hint. (не понимаешь намёков) That’s your problem. [notice that ‘that’s your problem’ is pretty aggressive!]

Question 12

Yeah. But I h_ _ be upfront _ s_.
(я должнен быть с тобой откровенным)

Answer 12

Yeah. But I have to be upfront about something.
(я должнен быть с тобой откровенным)

Question 13

Она не понимает намёков, + a tag question.

Answer 13

She can’t take a hint, can she.

Question 14

I’ve been telling her to tell them, but she _ (меня не слушает и всё тут).

Answer 14

I’ve been telling her to tell them, but she won’t listen [to me]. (меня не слушает и всё тут).

Question 15

Look, Dick. I’m not gonna b_ a_ the b_ with you.

[This is extremely straightforward, and probably the person speaking is in the position of power, OR they have a very close relationship.]

Answer 15

Look, Dick. I’m not gonna beat around the bush with you.

[This is extremely straightforward, and probably the person speaking is in the position of power, OR they have a very close relationship.]

Question 16

Listen, Maria. There’s something I m_ tell you st_ o_ the b_. (without waiting, immediately)

Answer 16

Listen, Maria. There’s something I must tell you straight off the bat. (without waiting, immediately)

Notice the strategic use of ‘must’ here.

Question 17

It’s just that… Well…
Bess, Bess, don’t beat around the bush. >>
soften the expression by replacing the imperative verb (‘don’t’) by another expression to include the speaker.

Answer 17

It’s just that… Well…
Bess, Bess, let’s not beat around the bush.

Question 18

I sh_ tell you st_ _. I’m not around a lot. In and out. No strings.

Answer 18

I should tell you straight out. I’m not around a lot. In and out. No strings.

Glossary: I’m not around a lot = постоянно в разъездах
No strings = no strings attached - никаких обязательств

Question 19

All right, let’s not beat around the bush, whatever that might mean, and g_ right d_ to it. (= приступим)

Answer 19

All right, let’s not beat around the bush, whatever that might mean, and get right down to it. (= приступим)