[Unit 2C] It's like walking on eggshells Flashcards
Emma doesn’t want to b_ her brother _. (= kick him out of the flat)
Emma doesn’t want to boot her brother out.
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.
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/
In what cultures do they tend to beat around the bush and in what cultures do they tend to g_ s_ _ _ point?
In what cultures do they tend to beat around the bush and in what cultures do they tend to get straight to the point?
He’s g_ _ _ nerves, (меня подбешивает) to be honest. There’s just not enough space!
He’s getting on my nerves, (меня подбешивает) to be honest. There’s just not enough space!
And he’s so volatile - it’s like w_ _ e_ half the time! (= to be very careful not to offend or upset someone)
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.
Isn’t it about time you asked him to leave?
Well, I keep _ hints, but he doesn’t seem to notice.
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
Isn’t it about time you asked him to leave?
Well, I keep dropping hints, but he doesn’t notice [add ‘seem’].
Isn’t it about time you asked him to leave?
Well, I keep dropping hints, but he doesn’t SEEM TO notice.
[talking about being direct] Why don’t you just t_ him s_, then? Don’t beat around the bush.
[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!
[talking about being direct] Why don’t you just tell him straight, then? Don’t b_ a_ the _ (не ходи вокруг да около).
[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
There’s a lot to be said for being u_ a_ th_. [= being direct, not concealing anything]
There’s a lot to be said for being upfront about things.
You just c_ _ a _. (не понимаешь намёков) That’s your problem. [notice that ‘that’s your problem’ is pretty aggressive!]
You just can’t take a hint. (не понимаешь намёков) That’s your problem. [notice that ‘that’s your problem’ is pretty aggressive!]
Yeah. But I h_ _ be upfront _ s_.
(я должнен быть с тобой откровенным)
Yeah. But I have to be upfront about something.
(я должнен быть с тобой откровенным)
Она не понимает намёков, + a tag question.
She can’t take a hint, can she.
I’ve been telling her to tell them, but she _ (меня не слушает и всё тут).
I’ve been telling her to tell them, but she won’t listen [to me]. (меня не слушает и всё тут).
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.]
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.]
Listen, Maria. There’s something I m_ tell you st_ o_ the b_. (without waiting, immediately)
Listen, Maria. There’s something I must tell you straight off the bat. (without waiting, immediately)
Notice the strategic use of ‘must’ here.
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.
It’s just that… Well…
Bess, Bess, let’s not beat around the bush.
I sh_ tell you st_ _. I’m not around a lot. In and out. No strings.
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
All right, let’s not beat around the bush, whatever that might mean, and g_ right d_ to it. (= приступим)
All right, let’s not beat around the bush, whatever that might mean, and get right down to it. (= приступим)
What else is going on today, then?
N_ m_.
What else is going on today, then?
Nothing much.
[pronunciation]
be upfront about things
/ˌʌpˈfrʌnt/
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?
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?
[softening something bad you’re gonna say]
no / nice way / say
There’s no nice way to say that.
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.
Carol, there’s no nice way for me to do this.
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.
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.
Hey, I _ know _ _ break _ _ you…but I’m sick of hearing about her, okay?
Hey, I don’t know how to break this to you…but I’m sick of hearing about her, okay?
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)
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.
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)
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/
Have you ever had the experience of guests who _ their w_?
= stayed too long so you wanted them to leave
Have you ever had the experience of guests who outstayed their welcome?
Someone has accidentally caused damage at work wants to o_ _ (= признаться).
Someone has accidentally caused damage at work wants to own up.
Do you have any friends or relatives that are a bit touchy (or _ volatile).
= откровенно
Do you have any friends or relatives that are a bit touchy (or downright volatile).
/ˈdaʊnraɪt/
= откровенно
Do you think l_ wh_ lies are ever acceptable? (невинная ложь, ложь во благо)
Do you think little white lies are ever acceptable?
