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[B] Actions II

LET'S UNLOCK WORDS AND PHRASES 🔐

empathize

[ 'em-puh-thahyz ]

verb

- to be able to understand how someone else feels

His ability to empathize with people made him an excellent marriage counsellor.

yield

[ yeeld ]

verb

- to supply or produce something positive such as a profit, an amount of food or information

Our research has only recently begun to yield important results.

plummet

[ 'pluhm-it ]

verb

- to fall very quickly and suddenly

An excellent rice harvest caused prices to plummet by 40 %.

pull out

phrasal verb

- to stop being involved in an activity or agreement

The World Bank should pull out of the project.

set the bar high

idiom

- to set a high standard for something

The athlete's outstanding performance set a high bar for the other competitors to meet.

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. tough act to follow

  • someone who is so impressive or effective that it is difficult for anyone else who comes after them to be as good

conference

Dialogue

Icon_Sally

Sally

I just watched the previous speakers at the conference. They were really impressive.

John_Happy Icon

John

Yeah, they set the bar pretty high. It's going to be a tough act to follow .

Icon_Sally

Sally

I know, but we can't let that intimidate us. We just have to focus on delivering our own message.

B. act up

  • of a person, to behave poorly or inappropriately, of a thing, to malfunction or operate incorrectly

officemates

Dialogue

Icon_Anna Happy

Anna

The printer is acting up again. It's not printing any of the documents I sent.

Icon_Mike

Mike

Oh no, not again! It always acts up at the worst times. Let me check if there's anything I can do to fix it.

Icon_Anna Happy

Anna

Thanks, Mike. Hopefully, we can get it working before our meeting starts.

C. follow a different course of action

  • acts in a particular way (rather formal)

resign

Dialogue

Melly_Happy Icon

Melly

As you know, consumer demands are low this month. Unless we follow a different course of action, sooner or later, we'll be in trouble.

John_Happy Icon

John

I propose we take advantage of video marketing.

Melly_Happy Icon

Melly

I had the same idea. That's why I want us to brainstorm a plan for it today.

D. all talk and no action

  • be someone who promises/ says they will do a lot of exciting things, but doesn't do them

all talk

Dialogue

Icon_Alex

Alex

Why are you considering pulling out of the deal with S&S?

John_Happy Icon

John

I don't think they will keep their end of the bargain. They're all talk and no action.

Icon_Alex

Alex

That's exactly my concern. Should we schedule a meeting with them to discuss our decision to withdraw?

E. get one's act together

  • to start to behave more appropriately or effectively; get organized.

manager scolding

Dialogue

Icon_Take

Take

I've been receiving numerous complaints from customers about your recent inefficiency in meeting delivery deadlines.

Icon_Mike

Mike

I'm sorry sir. I'm just having a tough time these days.

Icon_Take

Take

I empathize with your situation, but you have to get your act together and get your priorities in order. Otherwise, we risk losing valuable customers.

LET'S PRACTICE! 📝

Part I

Direction: Choose the appropriate idioms to complete each of the sentences.

act up all talk no action
get one's act together tough act to follow
follow a different course of action

  1. The politician promised to bring about change, but it's been .

  2. The team's performance was lacking, but with proper training and focus, they were able to and win the championship.

  3. The initial marketing strategy didn't yield the expected results, so we decide to .

  4. The manager was extremely competent and well-liked, making him for his successor.

  5. The toddler was at the store, throwing tantrums and refusing to sit in the shopping cart.

Part II

Direction: Listen as your mentor reads the statement. Then, choose the correct sentence from the choices.

  1. 🔊

  2. 🔊

  3. 🔊

Part III

Direction: Paraphrase the following sentences. Make sure to paraphrase the underlined idiomatic expressions.

  1. The athlete had an incredible performance, setting a new record and making it a tough act to follow for the other competitors.

    .

  2. After receiving several warnings, she finally decided to get her act together and start meeting her deadlines.

    .