![[B] Actions I](https://images.ctfassets.net/r30ratzbtbbf/3I9KZ8X5nDfUDTMmrNfeUL/70aec18726ec0f4a66af60eafd8a4f57/Actions_I.png)
LET'S UNLOCK WORDS AND PHRASES 🔐
sober
[ 'soh-ber ]
adjective
I promised him that I'd stay sober tonight.
temptation
[ temp-'tey-shuhn ]
noun
I couldn't resist the temptation to open the letter.
see through
phrasal verb
I could never lie to her because I know she'd see through me straight away.
get the best of someone or something
idiom
She didn't allow her emotions to get the best of her.
cut someone some slack
phrase
It’s best to cut people some slack sometimes, everyone has a bad day.
LET'S UNDERSTAND! 📚
▪️ Idioms with "act" have two main meanings. One connected simply with doing things and the other with acting as in a theatre or drama.
▪️ Idioms with "action" can refer to what is happening or to whether something/ someone is working/ functioning normally.
A. caught in the act
- caught while doing something specified
Dialogue
Sally
Alexa
Uh-oh, what did you catch me doing?
Sally
I saw you sneaking into the break room and grabbing an extra piece of cake. That's against our healthy eating challenge rules!
Alexa
Oh no, you got me! I couldn't resist the temptation. I promise, it won't happen again!
B. act one's age
- don't behave in a childish way
Dialogue
Marie
Quit fooling around Anthony. We still have lots of things to do for the holidays.
Anthony
We've got plenty of time before Christmas, mom. Cut me some slack.
Marie
Come on, Anthony. You're too old for that. Act your age, will you?
C. putting on an act
- to behave or speak in a false and artificial way
Dialogue
Taka
I don't think I can do the presentation to the clients. I'm afraid that my nerves would get the best of me.
Melly
That's pretty normal, but in this line of business you need to learn how to put on an act. You have to do it without them knowing that you are nervous. But don't worry, you'll get used to it.
Taka
I don't know about the "getting used to it" part, but you're right I have to act confident to win them over. Do you think you can help me?
Melly
Of course!
D. balancing act
- a situation requiring careful balance of opposing groups, views or activities
Dialogue
Sally
How's your business coming along?
Mike
It's proceeding as planned. I just realized how much of a delicate balancing act managing a business is.
Sally
Absolutely, especially in the customer service industry. You need to take care of both your employees and customers to maintain a successful business.
E. clean up one's act
- to stop doing something a lot of people don't like or agree with
Dialogue
Sally
You're going to have to clean up your act if you're serious about keeping your job.
Bill
I'm sorry. It may sound like an excuse, but I don't really feel comfortable living in the city. I'm not used to the fast-paced environment here.
Sally
Well. You need to figure out what you really want.
LET'S PRACTICE! 📝
Part I
Direction: Choose the appropriate idioms to complete each of the sentences.
| put on an act | balancing act |
| clean up one's act | caught in the act |
| act one's age |
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You are too old for silly pranks! It's time for you to and take responsibility for your actions.
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After being warned by his boss, Jack decided to and improve his performance at work.
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The security camera the thief of stealing from the store.
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The actor had to of being drunk, even though he was completely sober.
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Running a successful business requires a delicate between cost control and quality improvement.
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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Being a working parent requires a constant balancing act between career and family responsibilities.
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She pretended to be fine, but her friends knew she was putting on an act to hide her true emotions.
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Hey Alexa! I caught you in the act!