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[B+] Getting Through Difficulties I

LET'S UNLOCK WORDS AND PHRASES 🔐

enticing

[ en-'tahy-sing ]

adjective

- attracts you by offering advantages of pleasure

The offer was too enticing to refuse.

hinder

[ 'hin-der ]

verb

- to limit the ability of someone to do something, or to limit the development of something

These drugs are quite toxic and hinder the body's ability to fight off infection.

afloat

[ uh-’floht ]

adjective

- having enough money to pay what you owe

Many small businesses are struggling to stay afloat.

call in sick

phrase

- to call one's place of work to say that one is ill and cannot come to work

Suffering from flu symptoms one day, she decided to call in sick.

blow someone off

phrase

- to decide not to do something you are expected to do, or not to meet someone you are expected to meet

I can't believe you blew off the exam today.

LET'S UNDERSTAND! 📚

A. in a tight spot

  • in a very difficult situation

PREPARING FOOD

Dialogue

Icon_Sally

Sally

I'm sorry for blowing you off tonight. We're in a tight spot because we need to get almost 70 orders out this evening and two people called in sick.

Melly_Happy Icon

Melly

I see. Do you need a hand? I have nothing else to do anyway.

Icon_Sally

Sally

Really? Thanks, Melly. You're such a lifesaver! I'll make it up to you.

B. the tip of the iceberg

  • a small, visible part of a larger problem

WATER LEAKING

Dialogue

Icon_Worried(Woman)

Anna

I'm sorry to call you this early but I've got a bit of a situation here. There's water leaking from the ceiling. Do you know anyone who can help me with this?

Icon_Surprised(Man)

Taka

Sure. I can call someone.

Icon_Worried(Woman)

Anna

Thank you. I'm afraid this is just the tip of the iceberg. This apartment needed so many repairs. I should have thought twice before buying it.

C. a stumbling block

  • something that causes problems and stops the progress

PLAYING INSTRUMENT

Dialogue

Icon_Alex

Alex

Have you always wanted to be a musician?

Melly_Happy Icon

Melly

Not really, I initially wanted to become an engineer. My interest in music sparked when I turned 20. However, not being able to read music posed a stumbling block when I began learning the saxophone. Nevertheless, I was very persistent back then.

Icon_Alex

Alex

That's amazing. You're fortunate to have discovered your true passion.

D. caught between a rock and a hard place

  • facing a choice of two bad options

FRIENDS TALKING

Dialogue

Icon_Alex

Alex

I have just been offered the job of my dreams! The pay is very enticing and its part of my promotion. The only issue is that the job requires me to relocate to a different country, which means I have to leave my wife and kids behind.

John_Happy Icon

John

Wow! That's really a great opportunity if you'd ask me. You should definitely seize it.

Icon_Alex

Alex

I can't make up my mind. I feel like I'm caught between a rock and a hard place.

E. get to the bottom of

  • try to discover the truth about something

REPAIRING COMPUTER

Dialogue

Icon_Sally

Sally

Are you still working on your computer?

John_Happy Icon

John

Yes. I'm not sure what's causing the problem, but I'm determined to get to the bottom of it. I can't afford to buy a new one at the moment.

Icon_Sally

Sally

I know someone who might be able to assist you. My brother has good technical knowledge and could potentially help you get to the bottom of it.

LET'S PRACTICE! 📝

Part I

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

a stumbling block in a tight spot
caught between a rock and a hard place tip of the iceberg
get to the bottom of

  1. He was . If he accepted the offer, he would have to work long hours with low pay, if he didn't, he would lose his livelihood.

  2. The financial losses we experienced last quarter were just ; there are deeper underlying issues affecting our company's performance.

  3. We have looked at both perspectives and now we are digging deeper into that situation because we want to it.

  4. The team was - during the final minutes of the game, but they managed to score a last-minute goal and secure a draw.

  5. Lack of funding proved to be for the startup, hindering its growth and expansion plans.

Part II

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

  1. 🔊

  2. 🔊

  3. 🔊

Part III

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

  1. The complaints we received from customers are just the tip of the iceberg. There could be underlying issues with our product that we're yet to discover.

    .

  2. We need to get to the bottom of the financial discrepancies in the company's records to ensure accountability and transparency.

    .