LET'S UNLOCK WORDS AND PHRASES 🔐
downtime
[ 'doun-tahym ]
noun
You need some downtime in a week to get rid of stress.
undermine
[ 'uhn-der-mahyn ]
verb
The constant criticism was beginning to undermine her confidence.
disruptive
[ dis-'ruhp-tiv ]
adjective
He was expelled from school for disruptive behaviour.
strenuous
[ 'stren-yoo-uhs ]
adjective
Avoid strenuous exercise immediately after a meal.
come to terms with
phrase
Counselling helped her come to terms with her grief.
LET'S UNDERSTAND! 📚
Direction: Read and understand the different idiomatic expressions below.
A. get to someone
- to make someone feel upset or angry
Dialogue
Anna
Sally
It's this new project at work; the pressure is really getting to me.
Anna
Don't let it get to you too much; remember to take breaks and relax.
B. have a go at someone
- to criticize someone
Dialogue
Alex
Cindy
I didn't mean to, but I disagreed with her ideas.
Alex
You should talk to her privately next time instead of doing it in front of everyone.
C. bear the thought of sth
- carry or stand the thought of something
Dialogue
Sally
I just can't bear the thought of leaving my family and moving overseas for work.
Cindy
I understand how hard it must be, but sometimes we have to make difficult decisions for a better future.
Sally
You're right, but it’s going to take me some time to come to terms with this.
D. welcome relief
- talking about a situation in which a feeling of relief was experienced when something unpleasant ended or when something pleasant or desirable happened
Dialogue
Sally
How was your experience switching from a hectic job to a more flexible one?
Melly
Oh, it’s been a welcome relief! I finally have time to focus on my health and hobbies.
Sally
That sounds wonderful. It's essential to maintain a balance in life.
E. see the back of someone/sth
- be rid of (an unwanted person or thing)
Dialogue
Anna
I heard you finally finished that massive project you were working on. How does it feel?
Cindy
Honestly, it feels great to finally see the back of it. It was consuming all my time and energy.
Anna
I bet! Now you can relax and enjoy some well-deserved downtime.
LET'S PRACTICE! 📝
Part I
Direction: Choose the appropriate expressions to complete each of the sentences.
have a go at someone | see the back of sth |
welcome relief | bear the thought of |
get to someone |
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After hours of strenuous hiking, reaching the shady grove was a for the tired trekkers.
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It was hard for her to spending the holidays alone without her family.
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The constant criticism from his boss really started to John, making him doubt his abilities.
-
I was glad to my old car, as it was always causing me problems and stress.
-
I don’t think it’s fair to someone without giving them a chance to explain themselves first.
Part II
Direction: Listen as your mentor reads the statements twice. Then, repeat after your mentor.
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Part III
Direction: Paraphrase the following sentences. Make sure to paraphrase the underlined idiomatic expressions.
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It was a relief to finally see the back of the construction work that had been causing traffic jams for months.
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She had a go at me for not supporting her decision, but I was only trying to offer a different viewpoint.
What's been bothering you lately, Sally? You seem so stressed.