【Speak English Like An American】Lesson 8

Lesson 8 Ted Forms A Rock Band

Ted plans to become a successful musician. First, he needs Susan to loan him money for a new guitar. Susan suggests that Ted bake cookies to earn the money.

Susan: You’re in good spirits today, Ted.

Ted: I’ve got great news, Mom.

Susan: What is it?

Ted: Amber and I are going to start a rock band!

Susan: Good for you!

Ted: Mom, I’m not going to beat around the bush. I need to borrow $ 1,000 for a new guitar.

Susan: Ted, your father and I can’t shell out that much. We aren’t made of money.

Ted: You’re not? I thought you were millionaires, like Donald and Ivana Trump!*

Susan: Ha ha. This is no time to be a wise guy!

Ted: I promise I’ll pay you back.

Susan: How?

Ted: We’re going to take the music world by storm and make lots of money.

Susan: That sounds like a pipe dream. Aren’t high school rock bands a dime a dozen? 

Ted: Yeah, but we’re different. With my guitar playing and Amber’s beautiful voice, we’re sure to make a splash!

Susan: Well, we’re going through hard times. You’re going to have to work for that $1,000.

Ted: How?

Susan: You can bake cookies.

Ted: I bet Mrs. Clapton never made Eric** bake cookies, but I guess those are the breaks.

* Donald Trump is a famous American millionaire who made hismoney in real estate. Ivana is his ex-wife.

** Eric Clapton is a very popular guitarist.

Idioms

 (to) beat around the bush — to talk around the subject; to avoid getting to the point 拐弯抹角

EXAMPLE 1: Kara beat around the bush for an hour, then finally told us she needed a ride to Kennedy Airport.

Example 2: If you want something, tell me. Don’t beat around the bush!

dime a dozen - so plentiful as to be nothing special; common 不值钱的

EXAMPLE 1: Reality TV shows are a dime a dozen these days.

Example 2: There are so many Starbucks coffee shops in Manhattan, they’re a dime a dozen.

NOTE: This expression comes from the fact that a “dime” is worth only ten cents (very little value).

Good for you! - Good job! Well done! 好样的

Example 1: You won $100,000 on the TV game show Jeopardy?Good for you!

EXAMPLE 2: You passed your math test? Good for you!

— a time of difficulty 艰苦时期

Example 1: Since his wife left him for her dentist, Dan has been going through hard times.

EXAMPLE 2: Nancy’s family is going through hard times. Her father just lost his job.

(to be) in good spirits - happy; in a good mood  精神抖擞，兴致勃勃

Example 1: After she won the tennis tournament, Elizabeth was in good spirits.

EXAMPLE 2: Sam was in good spirits after receiving his Christmas bonus, 

made of money — very rich 很有钱

EXAMPLE 1: My neighbor is re-modeling his house to look like Versailles. He doesn’t have good taste, but he certainly is made of money.

EXAMPLE 2: Max should be willing to loan you $10,000 to start your new business. He's made of money.

SYNONYMS: loaded; rolling in dough; to have money to bum

(to) make a splash - to win popularity quickly 引起轰动

Example 1: Nicole’s beautiful cousin Cecilia from Santo Domingo really made a splash at the high school dance.

EXAMPLE 2: Those new jeans really made a splash. All the kids are wearing them.

SYNONYM: to be a hit  或者 cause a sensation

(to) pay (someone) back - to repay a loan or debt 偿还

EXAMPLE 1: Nicole paid her friend back the $10 she borrowed.

EXAMPLE 2: You can borrow $50, but don't forget to pay meback!

NOTE: “Pay back” also means to “get revenge.” 报复

Example: I know you’re the one who stole my car, and one day I’ll think of a way to pay you back!

pipe dream — an unrealistic hope 白日梦

Example 1: Susan would like to move to New Zealand and write romance novels, but she knows that’s just a pipe dream.

Example 2: You want to become a famous actor on Broadway? That sounds like a pipe dream.

(to) shell out - to pay (often more than one would like) 支付，付款

EXAMPLE 1: Bob shelled out $5,000 for Nicole’s piano lessons before she decided she’d rather play the flute.

EXAMPLE 2: How much am I going to have to shell out to get two tickets to the Rolling Stones concert?

(to) take (something) by storm — to win popularity quickly 完全征服

EXAMPLE 1: The play “The Producers” really took New York by storm. EXAMPLE 2: That new restaurant really took Chicago by storm!

(that’s or those are) the breaks - when something bad happens and you can’t do anything about it 真可惜！

EXAMPLE 1: By the time we got to the theater, the new Harry Potter movie was already sold out. Oh well, that’s the breaks!

Example 2: Your glasses fell on a rock and broke while you were fishing? Those are the breaks!

wise guy [slang] - a smart aleck; one who makes a lot of sarcastic comments 自作聪明

Example 1: When Mrs. Lee asked Joey what he wanted to be when he grew up, he said, “An adult.” She told him not to be such a wise guy.

EXAMPLE 2: That clerk in the video store is a real wise guy. He’s always making nasty comments about the customers.

SYNONYMS: wise ass [rude], smart ass [rude]

推荐阅读

微信@我：563730218