LET'S UNLOCK WORDS AND PHRASES 🔐
vague
[ veyg ]
adjective
I kept my statement intentionally vague.
commotion
[ 'kuh-moh-shuhn ]
noun
There was a commotion when store security guards detained some young men for shoplifting.
convoluted
[ 'kon-vuh-loo-tid ]
adjective
His grammar explanations are terribly convoluted.
satirical
[ suh-'tir-i-kuhl ]
adjective
She was known for her satirical humor.
clear the air
idiom
The problem won't disappear by itself if you ignore it. Talking about it is necessary to clear the air.
LET'S UNDERSTAND! 📚
A. with all due respect
- used before the speaker disagrees with or criticizes the person they are addressing
Dialogue
Take
Melly
I appreciate your perspective. However, I believe the proposed changes will benefit the team in the long run.
Take
I understand your point of view but I think we should carefully consider the potential impact on our current workflow before implementing these changes.
B. dodged the question
- avoid the question
Dialogue
Sally
I've been trying to talk to my boyfriend about our future plans, but every time I bring it up, he seems to dodging my questions.
Ken
That must be frustrating. Have you tried addressing it directly with him?
Sally
Yes, but he either changes the subject or gives vague answers. It's making me doubt his commitment.
C. frame the question
- formulate the question
Dialogue
Alex
I need some advice on how to approach my boss about a raise.
Anna
It's important to frame the questions in a way that highlights your contributions and value to the company.
Alex
You're right. I'll make sure to carefully frame the question to increase my chances of success.
D. miss the point
- misunderstand the idea someone is expressing
Dialogue
Sally
I heard there was some commotion after the meeting this morning. What happened?
Cindy
Well, for a brief moment, Chris completely missed the point of Gwen's complaint. He misunderstood her and thought she was against the idea of having team building activities.
Sally
How did they resolve the misunderstanding between them?
Cindy
Gwen clarified her position, and Chris apologized for his initial reaction. They were able to clear the air and move forward.
E. put someone on the spot
- forced someone into a difficult situation; ask someone a difficult question
Dialogue
Cindy
Did you see how the manager put John on the spot during the meeting?
Anna
Yes, it was quite uncomfortable. The manager asked him to explain his team's underperformance in front of everyone.
Cindy
I felt bad for him, but he handled it well and gave a thoughtful response despite being put on the spot.
LET'S PRACTICE! 📝
Part I
Direction: Choose the appropriate idioms to complete each of the sentences.
with all due respect | dodge the question |
frame the question | miss the point |
put someone on the spot |
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During the meeting, the boss unexpectedly John and asked him to present his findings without any prior preparation.
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The movie was intended as a satirical critique of society, but many viewers and interpreted it as a straightforward comedy.
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, I believe your decision lacks thorough consideration of the potential consequences.
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The CEO skillfully about the company's financial losses by emphasizing their recent achievements and future growth prospects.
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The lawyer strategically to corner the witness and reveal inconsistencies in their testimony.
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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With all due respect, I disagree with your opinion on the matter and would like to offer an alternative perspective.
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The professor's explanation was so convoluted that the student completely missed the point of the lecture.
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With all due respect, I would like to express my concerns regarding the proposed changes in our department.