[C+] Knowledge and Education I

LET'S UNLOCK WORDS AND PHRASES 🔐

radical

[ 'rad-i-kuhl ]

adjective

- causing or being an example of great change; extreme

This decision signified a radical change in their policies.

convoluted

[ 'kon-vuh-loo-tid ]

adjective

- unreasonably long and difficult to understand

His grammar explanations are terribly convoluted.

reassuring

[ ree-uh-'shoor-ing ]

adjective

- making you feel less worried

He gave her a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

domino effect

noun

- the situation in which something, usually something bad, happens, causing other similar events to happen

The lack of raw materials will have a domino effect on the production and distribution of goods.

get the hang of

phrase

- learn how to operate or do something

It is difficult for foreigners to get the hang of English idioms.

LET'S UNDERSTAND! 📚

A. know something like the back of one's hand

know something very well

KNOW VERY WELL

Dialogue

Melly_Happy Icon

Melly

I'm not so familiar about some of the places in our itinerary, so I purchased a city map at the bookstore.

Icon_Cindy

Cindy

Oh, you don't have to worry about it. This is my mom's hometown and I know it like the back of my hand.

Melly_Happy Icon

Melly

That's great. It's reassuring to have someone who knows the place so well.

B. can't make heads or tails of

can't understand at all

CANNOT UNDERSTAND

Dialogue

Melly_Happy Icon

Melly

What seems to be the problem, Ken? You've been staring at that paper for a couple of minutes now.

Icon_Ken

Ken

Actually, I purchased a tool in Amazon but the manual is written in Hindi so I can't make heads or tails of it. I'm starting to get frustrated.

Melly_Happy Icon

Melly

I can help you with that.

C. fall Behind

fail to do something by a particular time

FALL BEHIND

Dialogue

John_Happy Icon

John

How's the operation going so far?

Icon_Ken

Ken

Not good, I'm afraid. I just received an email notifying me about delays in the deliveries, which were caused by the recent earthquake.

John_Happy Icon

John

If the deliveries and installations fall behind schedule, it could have a domino effect on your project timeline and cause delays.

D. learn the ropes

learn the basic skills for a job

LEARN THE ROPES

Dialogue

Icon_Keiko

Keiko

So, how was your first day at work?

Icon_Sally

Sally

It was great. My colleagues were very welcoming, but learning the ropes was really tough. I think it will take me some time to get the hang of things.

Icon_Keiko

Keiko

Don't worry, Sally. I'm sure you'll pick it up soon enough with practice and dedication.

Icon_Sally

Sally

Thanks, Keiko.

E. break the mold

change the way things are done

BREAK THE MOLD

Dialogue

Icon_Sally

Sally

Have you seen the new product design? It's completely different from what we usually make.

Icon_Sakura

Alexa

Yeah, the design team really wanted to break the mold and try something new.

Icon_Sally

Sally

I'm not sure if our customers will like it though.

Icon_Sakura

Alexa

That's true, but sometimes we need to take risks to stay ahead in the market.

LET'S PRACTICE! 📝

Part I

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

break the mold	fall behind
can't make heads or tails	know something like the back of one's hand
learn the ropes

Yes, you need to figure out how to sell the service, but once you it's not at all that hard to find the customers.
The new CEO plans to and implement some radical changes in the company.
Tenants of the apartment who in their rent risk being evicted.
I tried to read that book, but the writing was so convoluted that I of the plot.
She knows the script so well that she and doesn't need to look at it during the performance.

Part II

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

🔊
🔊
🔊

Part III

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

CAR DESIGNER

1. ( car designer / know it like the back of my hand )

FALL BEHIND

2. ( fall behind / slack off )