【Speak English Like An American】 Lesson 13

Amber Comes Over To Bake Cookies

Ted’s girlfriend Amber comes over to help with the cookies. Amber has experience baking cookies from a former job. Smart leaves the kitchen so they can work better.

Ted: Mom, Amber is here to lend a hand with the cookies.

Susan: Hi Amber. Nice to see you again.

Amber: Good to see you too, Mrs. Johnson.

Susan: That’s an interesting hair style.*

Amber:Thanks. I’m glad you think it’s cool. Blue hair is all the rage this season.

Susan: Well, I'm going to take a break now and let you kids take over.

Ted: Don’t worry, Mom. Your business is in good hands with Amber. She really knows her stuff.

Amber: That’s true. I used to work at Mrs. Field’s Cookies** in the mall.

Susan: You don’t work there any more?

Amber: No, I got fired. I have a real sweet tooth, and they told me I was eating too many cookies.

Susan:Well, I’m sure you haven’t lost your touch.

Amber:I might be a bit out of practice.

Ted: Mom, you can watch Amber bake if you want. You might pick up a few tricks of the trade. Amber: Yes, feel free. Asa singer, I’m used to performing before an audience!

Susan: Thanks, but I’m going to get out of the way. You know what they say: too many cooks spoil the broth!

Amber: Will I see you later tonight?

Susan:Yes, I’ll be back in a few hours.

Ted:Mom, why don’t you just call it a night and go to bed. You’ve been working your tail off all day.

*When somebody says something is “interesting” it often means they don’t like it, but they want to be polite.

**Mrs. Field’s Cookies are gourmet cookies that are sold in malls across the United States.

Idioms

all the rage — the latest fashion; popular right now 时尚，风行一时

Example1: Have you seen those new alligator-skin cowboy boots? They’re all the rage this season!

EXAMPLE2: At Nate's high school, salsa dancing is all the rage this year.

(to) call it anight - to stop an activity for the rest of the night 今晚到此为止

Example1: We spent a few hours walking around downtown Chicago. It was so cold that we were ready to call it a night by nine o’clock.

Example2: Let’s call it a night and meet back at the office at seven o’clock tomorrow morning to finish preparing our report.

Note:There is also the expression “to call it a day” which means to stop activity for the day.

feel free - go ahead and do something;don't hesitate (to do something) 随便，自便

EXAMPLE1; “Feel free to interrupt me and ask questions during my lecture, said the professor to his students.

Example2: If you need legal advice, feel free to call my cousin Fred. He’s a lawyer.

(to) get out of theway - to move out of the way; to stop interfering with someone’s plans or activities 让开，避开

Example1: If you’re not planning on helping us prepare dinner, please get out of the way. The kitchen is crowded.

EXAMPLE2: Get out of the way! That truck is backing up and it might run you over.

(to be) in good hands — in good, competent care 得力助手

Example1: Don’t worry — your dog will be in good hands while you’re on vacation. We’ll take her to the New York Dog Spa & Hotel.

Example2: You’re in good hands with Tony. He’s an excellent driver.

(to) know one’s stuff - to have an expertise in a field 有两下子

EXAMPLE1; Steve has been an auto mechanic for 25 years. He really knows his stuff.

Example2: When it comes to cooking, Kristen knows her stuff. She spent two years studying at the Culinary Institute of America.

(to) lend a hand - to help 帮助

EXAMPLE 1: When Amber saw Susan washing the cookie sheets, she offered to lend a hand.

Example 2: Would you mind lending a hand in the garden? We need to finish planting these flowers before it starts raining.

(to) lose one’s touch - to no longer be able to do something well不如以前

Example1: I used to make delicious pies, but this one tastes terrible. I think I’ve lost my touch.

EXAMPLE2: Dr. Stewart used to be a very good doctor, but recently several of his patients have died. He seems to have lost his touch!

(to be) out of practice — no longer good at doing something久不练习，荒疏

Example1: Susan studied French in high school, but she hasn’t spoken it since. She’s really out of practice.

EXAMPLE2: I used to play tennis every day, but I haven’t played in years. I'm out of practice.

(to) pick up - to acquire; to learn 学会

Example1: Bob picks up languages quickly. After two weeks in Spain, he was already speaking Spanish.

EXAMPLE2: Diana picked up some great new ideas at the workshop.

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