【Speak English Like An American】Lesson 24

Amber Writes a Song

Ted always writes the songs for the rock band. But now Amber says she wants to start writing songs too. She sings him the first lines of her new song.

Amber: Ted, you know how all along you’ve been in charge of all the lyrics for our band?

Ted: That’s right, Amber. Everybody loves my songs!

Amber: Well, I hope they’ll love my songs too.

Ted: But you don’t write songs.

Amber: I’m sick and tired of singing your songs all the time. I want to sing my own songs!

Ted: Okay, no need to freak out! First things first. Have you written a song yet?

Amber: Yes, as a matter of fact, I have.

Ted: Well, let’s hear it then.

Amber: Okay, but it’s still a work in progress.

Ted: Stop trying to buy time. Let’s hear the song!

Amber: My boyfriend is crazy. Crazy about baking cookies. I know for sure that there is no cure...

Ted: Cut it out! Stop teasing me. I am cured.

Amber: All better?

Ted:Yes. I’ll never bake another cookie again. My parents made a fortune. Now we can all just chill out!

Idioms

all along— throughout; from beginning to end 一直，自始至终

EXAMPLE1: Jenny told Nicole she would vote for her, but all along she was planning onvoting for Andrea.

EXAMPLE2: I never believed Joel when he told us he was marrying a princess from Denmark. I knew all along that he was lying.

all better— completely cured 完全复原，不在疼痛

EXAMPLE1: “All better?” asked Maureen, after her son stopped crying. EXAMPLE 2: If you’re not all better, you shouldn’t go to work tomorrow.

as a matter of fact— see Lesson 20其实

(to) buy (some) time — to make more time available (in order to achieve a certain purpose) 争取时间，赢得时间

Example1: We're not sure yet whether or not we want to buy the house. We’d better buy some time so we can think about it over the weekend.

Example2: I’m not sure whether or not I want to take the job offer. I’d better buy some time to think about it.

(to) chill out [slang] — to relax 放松

EXAMPLE1: Chill out! If we miss this train, we’ll just take the next one.

EXAMPLE2: Your dog ate your homework? Chill out, I’m sure your teacher will understand!

(to be) crazy about- see Lesson 5 着迷

(to)cut it out - stop it; stop the annoying behavior 停止，别说了，住嘴

Example1: Tracy was chewing gum loudly during the movie. Her boyfriend finally told her to cut it out.

EXAMPLE2: Cut it out! Stop trying to pull my shoes off!

first things first— let’s focus on the most important thing or task first重要的事先来

EXAMPLE1: You want to work here at Lulu’s Dance Club? First things first, have you ever worked as a dancer before?

EXAMPLE2: You want to ask your teacher if you can hand in your paper two weeks late? First things first, you’d better think of an excuse.

for sure~ see Lesson 19 确实

(to) freak out[slang] - to respond to something irrationally or crazily; to overreact  处于极度高涨的情绪中(如害怕、愤怒或兴奋)

EXAMPLE1: Ashley’s parents freaked out when she told them she was dropping out ofcollege to become an actress.

EXAMPLE2: Don’t freak out when I tell you this, but I lost the laptop you lent me last week.

(to be) in charge of- having responsibility for 负责，主管

EXAMPLE1: John is in charge of all international sales for his company.

EXAMPLE2: Who’s in charge of making sure we don’t run out of toilet paper in the bathroom?

in progress- happening; under way; going on now 在发展中

EXAMPLE1: The play is already in progress, so you’ll have to wait until intermission to sit down.

EXAMPLE2: Once the test is in progress, you will not be allowed to leave the room.

(to) make a fortune- to make a lot of money 发财

EXAMPLE1: Adam made a fortune when he sold his company to Microsoft, EXAMPLE 2: Emma made a fortune selling candy to her classmates after lunch every day.

SYNONYMS:to make a bundle; to make a killing

(to be) sick and tired of— completely bored with; sick of 厌倦

EXAMPLE1: Ted is sick and tired of hearing about what an excellent student Nicole is.

EXAMPLE2: I’m sick and tired of this nasty weather we’ve been having! 

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