地道口语：Lesson 1 Bob's Day at Work

Lesson 1 Bob’s Day at Work

Bob works as a manager in a furniture store. Peter, his boss,is not happy about sales. Bob’s new advertising campaign hasn’t helped. Peterdecides to fire him.

Peter: Bob, I have to breakthe news, but our sales were down again last month.

Bob: Down again, Peter?

Peter: Yeah. These days, everybody’s shopping at ourcompetition, Honest Abe’s Furniture Store.

Bob: But everything in there costs an arm and a leg!

Peter: That’s true. They do charge top dollar.

Bob: And their salespeople are very strange. They really give me the creeps!

Peter: Well, they must be doing something right over there.Meanwhile, we’re about to go belly-up.

Bob: I’m sorry to hear that. I thought my new advertisingcampaign would save the day.

Peter: Let’s face it:your advertising campaign was a realflop.

Bob: Well then I’ll goback to the drawing board.

Peter: It’s too late for that. You’re fired.

Bob: What? You’re givingme the ax?

Peter: Yes. I’ve already found a new manager. She’s as sharp as a tack.

Bob: Can’t we even talkthis over? After all, I’ve beenworking here for 10 years!

Peter: There’s nopoint in arguing, Bob. I’ve already madeup my mind.

Bob: Oh well, at least I won’t have to put up with your nonsense anymore! Good-bye to you and good-bye tothis dead-end job.

Peter: Please leave before I lose my temper.

Notes on idioms:

break the news – make something known宣布实情

cost an arm and a leg – very expensive 昂贵的

dead-end job – a job that won’t lead to anything else无前途的工作

let’s face it – accept a difficult reality 面对现实吧！

give one the creeps – create feeling of disgust or horror 毛骨悚然

back to the drawing board – start again from the beginning

go belly-up – go bankrupt 破产

give someone the ax – fire someone 解雇某人

lose one’s temper – become very angry 发脾气

make up one’s mind – reach a decision决定

no point in – no reason to; it’s not worth (doing something) 毫无意义，无济于事

put up with – endure without complaint 忍受，容忍

real flop or flop – a failure 失败

save the day – prevent a disaster or misfortune 转危为安，挽救局面

as sharp as a tack – very intelligent 聪明的

talk over – discuss 讨论

top dollar – the highest end of a price range 最高价格