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

1
Q

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

A

Emma doesn’t want to boot her brother out.

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2
Q

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.

A

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/

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3
Q

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

A

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

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4
Q

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

A

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

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5
Q

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

A

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.

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6
Q

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

A

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

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7
Q

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

A

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

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8
Q

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

A

[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!

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9
Q

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

A

[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

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10
Q

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

A

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

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11
Q

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

A

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

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12
Q

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

A

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

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13
Q

Она не понимает намёков, + a tag question.

A

She can’t take a hint, can she.

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14
Q

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

A

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

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15
Q

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.]

A

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.]

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16
Q

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

A

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

Notice the strategic use of ‘must’ here.

17
Q

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.

A

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

18
Q

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

A

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

19
Q

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

A

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

20
Q

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

A

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

21
Q

[softening something bad you’re gonna say]
no / nice way / say

A

There’s no nice way to say that.

22
Q

I’m sorry to b_ this _ you all a week before Christmas, but since I’ll be seeing candidates for the job, I thought you should know.

A

I’m sorry to break this to you all a week before Christmas, but since I’ll be seeing candidates for the job, I thought you should know.

23
Q

[pronunciation]
be upfront about things

A

/ˌʌpˈfrʌnt/

24
Q

Carol, there’s n_ n_ way _ me _ d_ this. (= Кэрол, у меня неприятные новости.) Take your pension and go to that beautiful house of yours.

A

Carol, there’s no nice way for me to do this.

25
Q

Hey, I _ know _ _ break _ _ you…but I’m sick of hearing about her, okay?

A

Hey, I don’t know how to break this to you…but I’m sick of hearing about her, okay?

26
Q

If someone was to _ some bad news to you (= tell you about some bad news), would you prefer for them to drop some hints to soften the blow?

A

If someone was to break some bad news to you (= tell you about some bad news), would you prefer for them to drop some hints to soften the blow?

27
Q

If someone was to break some bad news to you (= tell you about some bad news), would you prefer for them to drop some hints to _ the blow? (=смягчить)

A

If someone was to break some bad news to you (= tell you about some bad news), would you prefer for them to drop some hints to soften the blow? (=смягчить)

BrE /ˈsɒfn/
AmE /ˈsɔːfn/

28
Q

I’m sorry to break this to you all a week before Christmas, but since I’ll be seeing candidates for the job, I th_ you _ know. (= the reason why you’re telling them)

A

I’m sorry to break this to you all a week before Christmas, but since I’ll be seeing candidates for the job, I thought you should know.

29
Q

Have you ever had the experience of guests who _ their w_?

= stayed too long so you wanted them to leave

A

Have you ever had the experience of guests who outstayed their welcome?

30
Q

Someone has accidentally caused damage at work wants to o_ _ (= признаться).

A

Someone has accidentally caused damage at work wants to own up.