タビスタ | まったく新しいオンライン英会話
[C+] Making Comments II

LET'S UNLOCK WORDS AND PHRASES 🔐

rave

[ reyv ]

verb

- to praise something very much

Now I understand why travelers rave about Lapland.

anticipate

[ an-tis-uh-peyt ]

verb

- to imagine or expect that something will happen

We don't anticipate any major problems.

enticing

[ 'en-tahy-sing ]

adjective

- attractive or tempting; alluring

The potential to win a free trip was enticing enough that it convinced him to donate.

predictable

[ pri-'dik-tuh-buhl ]

adjective

- happening or behaving in a way that you expect and not unusual or interesting

The ending of the book was entirely predictable.

scared to death

phrase

- very afraid

I was scared to death when a mouse ran across the kitchen floor.

LET'S UNDERSTAND! 📚

Idioms for criticizing things

A. didn't live up to my expectations

  • was not as good as expected

HOTEL ROOM

Dialogue

Icon_Angry(Woman)

Melly

Online travel package promos look enticing. I once had a three-day trip in Bali, Indonesia, but one hotel there didn't live up to my expectations.

Icon_Worried(Woman)

Anna

That's too bad. When we went to Bali, we made sure to read reviews and ratings before booking a hotel. We ended up staying at a highly recommended one, and it was great.

Icon_Angry(Woman)

Melly

Yeah, I learned my lesson. I'll definitely do that next time.

B. not one's cup of tea

  • not something one enjoys

VET CLINIC

Dialogue

Icon_Ken

Ken

I saw you came out of the vet clinic yesterday on my way home. Is your dog alright?

Icon_Cindy

Cindy

Yes, thank goodness! My dog wasn't eating so much lately so I was scared to death. Have you thought of raising pets?

Icon_Ken

Ken

No, I haven't. It's not my cup of tea. And besides I've got no time to look after them. I work for almost 12 hours Monday through Friday and I spent most of my weekends doing other jobs.

C. like watching paint dry

  • used to refer to an activity that you consider extremely boring

WATCHING MOVIE

Dialogue

Icon_Mike

Mike

How was your weekend?

John_Happy Icon

John

It was pretty dull. I tried to watch the movie my colleague recommended, but it was like watching paint dry. I think I slept halfway through it.

Icon_Mike

Mike

That's a shame. I spent my weekend hiking in the mountains. It was really beautiful up there. I should've invited you.

John_Happy Icon

John

That would've been more fun.

D. leaves a bad taste in my mouth

  • have an unpleasant memory of it / makes me feel very uncomfortable

UNPLEASANT MEMORY

Dialogue

Icon_Worried(Man)

Bill

I had high hopes when I made the reservation after reading the appealing online reviews, but it turned out to be a complete scam.

Icon_Worried(Woman)

Anna

Did it cost more than you anticipated?

Icon_Worried(Man)

Bill

Actually, the cost wasn't an issue for me. I don't mind paying a lot if the experience is worth it. Unfortunately, our entire time at the resort left a bad taste in my mouth.

E. second rate

  • not very good / low quality

SECOND RATE

Dialogue

Icon_Sally

Sally

What are your plans for the weekend? I've been wanting to go shopping with you at Macy's. I can't remember the last time we hang out together.

Icon_Cindy

Cindy

Not much, really. I was actually considering going there too, but some of my friends told me the clothes are second rate.

Icon_Sally

Sally

Oh, I see. Well, how about we skip the shopping and watch a movie instead.

F. taste of one's own medicine

  • when someone get the same bad treatment that he has been giving others

ANGRY BOSS

Dialogue

Icon_Mike

Mike

Hey, did you hear about that rude guy in accounting? He finally got a taste of his own medicine.

Icon_Cindy

Cindy

What do you mean?

Icon_Mike

Mike

Apparently he was treating everyone poorly and his boss finally gave him a taste of his own medicine by yelling at him in front of the whole office.

LET'S PRACTICE! 📝

Part I

Direction: Fill in the blanks with the correct idiomatic expression.

leave a bad taste in one's mouth not one's cup of tea
didn't live up to one's expectations like watching paint dry
second rate a taste of one's own medicine
  1. I am sure some poetry lovers enjoy these never ending poems, but this is .

  2. I'd rather pay a bit more for the finest pork I can acquire than settle for a sandwich.

  3. I regret taking that job offer, the company culture .

  4. Overall, I guess this novel considering all the rave reviews.

  5. The characters are flat, the dialogue is predictable and the pace is like .

  6. She was always gossiping about others, but now she's getting a .

Part II

Direction: Listen as your mentor reads the statements twice. Then, repeat after your mentor.

  1. 🔊

  2. 🔊

  3. 🔊

Part III

Direction: Describe the picture using the words or phrases provided.

EATING SALAD

1. ( health-conscious / not my cup of tea )

DIDNT LIVE UP TO EXPECTATIONS

2. ( reviews / didn't live up to my expectations )