[B+] Sail

LET'S UNLOCK WORDS AND PHRASES 🔐

unsolicited

[ un-suh-'lis-i-ted ]

adjective

- not asked for or requested; given without being wanted

She received unsolicited advice about how to raise her children..

exasperating

[ ig-'zas-per-ay-ting ]

adjective

- causing intense annoyance or frustration.

It's exasperating to deal with slow internet during an important video call.

clutter

[ 'klut-er ]

noun

- a collection of things that are disorganized or untidy.

The desk was covered in clutter, making it hard to find anything.

hold you down

phrasal verb

- to prevent you from progressing or achieving something

Don't let self-doubt hold you down from reaching your goals.

bounce back

phrasal verb

- to recover quickly from a setback or difficulty.

After the injury, he worked hard to bounce back and return to his sport.

LET'S UNDERSTAND! 📚

Direction: Read and understand the different idiomatic expressions below.

A. be in the doldrums

be not very successful; (of a person) feel sad and without energy.

2024_Sail A

Dialogue

Icon_Sally

Emma

Why have you been so quiet during team discussions lately?

Icon_Staff

Sarah

I guess I’ve been in the doldrums ever since my proposal was rejected. It’s hard to bounce back.

Icon_Sally

Emma

Don’t let it hold you down. You have great ideas, and there’s always a second chance.

B. put/stick your oar in

to offer unsolicited advice or opinions, often causing irritation.

2024_Sail B

Dialogue

Icon_Michael

Jacob

I was trying to finalize the design, but Ben kept sticking his oar in, suggesting unnecessary changes.

Icon_Sally

Emma

That sounds exasperating. Did you manage to finish it?

Icon_Michael

Jacob

Eventually, but it was harder than it needed to be.

C. clear the decks

to eliminate distractions or prepare for an important task.

2024_Sail C

Dialogue

Icon_Michael

Jacob

Before we start preparing for the big presentation, we need to clear the decks. There’s too much irrelevant data cluttering our report.

Icon_Sally

Emma

Agreed. Let’s remove the unnecessary slides and reorganize the structure so everything flows logically.

Icon_Michael

Jacob

Once we streamline it, we’ll be able to focus on delivering a more impactful message.

D. sail close to the wind

take risks that could cause problems or danger (usually used in the continuous)

2024_Sail D

Dialogue

Icon_Sally

Emma

You’re really sailing close to the wind with those last-minute adjustments. Are you sure they’re allowed?

Icon_Staff

Sarah

They’re technically within the guidelines, but I admit it’s a gamble.

Icon_Sally

Emma

Just be prepared to justify your decisions if things go awry.

E. be a nervous wreck

to feel intensely anxious or overwhelmed by stress.

2024_Sail E

Dialogue

Icon_Sally

Emma

I’ve been a nervous wreck all day, waiting for the board’s decision on my application.

Icon_Michael

Jacob

That’s completely understandable. But remember, you’ve done everything you can to make a strong case.

Icon_Sally

Emma

Thanks. I just hope the outcome reflects my efforts.

LET'S PRACTICE! 📝

Part I

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

stick his oar in	in the doldrums
sailing close to the wind	clear the decks
a nervous wreck

After weeks of rejection letters, she felt like she was , unable to see a way forward and feeling stuck in a never-ending cycle of disappointment.
Before the presentation, the team decided to by addressing all unrelated tasks, so everyone could focus on the main event without distractions.
He’s always quick to during meetings, even when it’s not his place to do so, often offering opinions on matters he isn't directly involved in.
By making exaggerated claims in the report, she was , pushing the boundaries of what was acceptable and risking the company's credibility.
I was before the final interview, overwhelmed by anxiety, but thankfully, it went well and I was able to calm down afterward.

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.

I felt like I was in the doldrums when I didn’t make it to the finals, completely discouraged by my failure.
He always sticks his oar in during family discussions, interrupting with his opinion even when it's not needed.