Lesson 8 Falling behind (欠帳)
Dialogue
Cindy: I'm breaking my neck at two jobs so I don't fall behind in my bills.
Gilda: Maybe you better face up to the fact that you can't enjoy life to the hilt.
Cindy: I'll go over my budget again. Don't fly off the handle if my check bounces.
Gilda: I'm sure it will clear but if you want, I'll give you some money to tide you over.
Vocabulary
break one's neck v.) try very hard
fall behind v.) not be able to keep up, fail to maintain a schedule or rate of speed
face up to v.) accept something unpleasant or difficult
to the hilt adv.) completely, to the limit
go over v.) examine
fly off the handle v.) get angry
bounce v.) not be acceptable because of insufficient funds in the bank ( said of checks)
clear v.) go through, meet the requirements
tide someone over v.) help someone through a shortage
Lesson 9 When the Chips Are Down (緊要關頭)
Dialogue
Tom: I can't believe I'm down and out. I'm living hand to mouth and pinching pennies.
Pat: You can always turn to me when the chips are down.
Tom: I don't want any handouts. I don't mooch off anyone.
Pat: Just sit tight. You'll get out from under.
Vocabulary
Down and out adj.) having no money, no success
Hand to mouth adv. Or adj.) barely able to cover daily expenses
Pinch pennies v.) be thrifty, careful how you spend money
Turn to v.) go to for help
When the chips are down adv.) at the worst time, when one faces the biggest obstacles
Handout n.) charity
Mooch v.) borrow, beg, get without paying
Sit tight v.) wait patiently
Get out from under v.) end a worrisome situation
Dialogue
Cindy: I'm breaking my neck at two jobs so I don't fall behind in my bills.
Gilda: Maybe you better face up to the fact that you can't enjoy life to the hilt.
Cindy: I'll go over my budget again. Don't fly off the handle if my check bounces.
Gilda: I'm sure it will clear but if you want, I'll give you some money to tide you over.
Vocabulary
break one's neck v.) try very hard
fall behind v.) not be able to keep up, fail to maintain a schedule or rate of speed
face up to v.) accept something unpleasant or difficult
to the hilt adv.) completely, to the limit
go over v.) examine
fly off the handle v.) get angry
bounce v.) not be acceptable because of insufficient funds in the bank ( said of checks)
clear v.) go through, meet the requirements
tide someone over v.) help someone through a shortage
Lesson 9 When the Chips Are Down (緊要關頭)
Dialogue
Tom: I can't believe I'm down and out. I'm living hand to mouth and pinching pennies.
Pat: You can always turn to me when the chips are down.
Tom: I don't want any handouts. I don't mooch off anyone.
Pat: Just sit tight. You'll get out from under.
Vocabulary
Down and out adj.) having no money, no success
Hand to mouth adv. Or adj.) barely able to cover daily expenses
Pinch pennies v.) be thrifty, careful how you spend money
Turn to v.) go to for help
When the chips are down adv.) at the worst time, when one faces the biggest obstacles
Handout n.) charity
Mooch v.) borrow, beg, get without paying
Sit tight v.) wait patiently
Get out from under v.) end a worrisome situation