Week 2 Day 4 Flashcards
Don’t we all…
Use “Don’t we all…” in this situation:
Someone talks about something that they wish for: “I wish…”
You wish for the same thing, and you think that a lot of other people do as well.
The meaning of the phrase is something like “Yes, I wish for that too, but it’s just a dream. It’s not likely to come true.”
For example:
A: I wish I could meet a guy who’s responsible and doesn’t act like an immature child.
B: Don’t we all. Don’t we all.
(Sometimes people will repeat this phrase.)
so be it
Use “so be it” when someone makes a choice that you think is wrong and will harm them. For example:
“If you want to drop out of school and ruin your life, then fine, so be it.”
Can I talk to you?
When you have to talk to someone about a serious, and maybe uncomfortable, topic, it’s good to start by saying:
Can I talk to you?
This phrase alerts the listener that you’re not just making small talk; you have something serious about. Here are some examples of conversations that you may want to start by saying “Can I talk to you?”:
You need to reprimand one of your employees for doing something wrong.
You just got some bad news, and you need to share it with your partner.
You’re going to break up with the person you’ve been dating.
If you want to make this expression a little bit less serious (but still pretty serious), add “for a minute” or “for a second”.
To make it more formal, use “May I”, “speak with”, and “for a moment” instead:
Jessica, may I speak with you for just a moment?
a different/pretty/nice/whole new kettle of fish
a situation which is totally different from the one that you have just mentioned (She enjoys public speaking, but being on TV is a different kettle of fish.)
get medieval
Use violence or extreme measures
robust
someone or something which is very strong (a robust man of six feet four)
shrewd
well judged and likely to be right, good at judging what people or situations are really like (Michael is a shrewd businessman.)
horse-sense
a robust form of common sense believed to be found in less educated but shrewd peole
cool as a cucumber
calm and not nervous, upset or excited (You know me Feifei, I’m always cool as a cucumber.)
stress sb out
to make sb so worried or nervous which they can’t relax (Exam studying always stresses me out.)
pull (sb) through
1-to stay alive after you’ve been very ill or badly injured or to help sb to do this (His injuries are severe but he’s expected to pull through.) 2-to succeed in doing sth very difficult or to help sb to do this (He relied on his experience to pull him through.)
flamboyant
to behave in a confident or exciting way that makes people notice you (He lifted his arms in a flamboyant gesture.) 2-brightly coloured and easily noticed (She has red hair and rather flamboyant appearance.)
