![[C] Fun with Numbers: Idioms](https://images.ctfassets.net/r30ratzbtbbf/4dx1lvu4PQefDDjJLczvxw/3e3f334dd2405846cb00b92a41f6d5e8/VOCABULARY_POWER-01.png)
LET'S UNLOCK WORDS AND PHRASES 🔐
preoccupied
[ pree-'ok-yuh-pahyd ]
adjective
She seemed preoccupied all the time I was talking to her.
lucrative
[ 'loo-kruh-tiv ]
adjective
The childcare business is not very lucrative.
well-being
[ 'wel-'bee-ing ]
noun
We try to ensure the well-being of our employees.
juggle
[ 'juhg-uhl ]
verb
Many parents find it hard to juggle children and a career.
make the most of sth
phrase
It's my first holiday for two years so I'm going to make the most of it.
LET'S UNDERSTAND! 📚
A. Back to square one
- to start dealing with something from the beginning again because the way you were dealing with it has failed
Dialogue
Anna
John
What happened?
Anna
The new software we installed caused a major glitch and we lost all the data we collected. Now we have to start over from scratch.
B. Nine-to-five job
- a routine job in an office that involves standard office hours
Dialogue
Sally
Hi Melly, it's been a while since we've caught up over coffee. You've seemed busier these days.
Melly
That's true. I've been juggling work and studies. I'm actually planning to go overseas to seek better opportunities and gather ideas for lucrative business venture.
Sally
That sounds exciting. You've always talked about starting your own business. I guess you've finally made up your mind to leave your nine-to-five job here.
C. Kill two birds with one stone
- to succeed in achieving two things in a single action
Dialogue
John
I'll head to the grocery store later. Do you need anything?
Marie
Actually, yes. I need to drop off a package at the post office, but I have a lot of virtual meetings this afternoon.
John
No problem, I'm passing by the post office on my way to the grocery store. I can take the package for you and kill two birds with one stone.
D. At the eleventh hour
- at the last moment or almost too late
Dialogue
Anna
Hey, Melly, where's Tim? I thought he's coming with you.
Melly
He cancelled his flight at the eleventh hour. Something urgent came up, unfortunately.
Anna
Oh, that's too bad. I hope everything's okay. But hey, we have our itinerary all set, so let's make the most of our trip together!
E. two cents
- an opinion offered on a topic under discussion
Dialogue
Bill
Melly's suggestion didn't really work out on the second campaign.
John
I see. Well, here's my two cents. Instead of relying on just one person, why don't you try gathering ideas from your team? More heads are always better than one.
Bill
That's a good point. I will definitely keep that in mind for the next campaign. Thanks for the advice, Bill.
LET'S PRACTICE!
PART I
Direction: Fill in the blanks with the correct useful expressions. Make sure to use the correct tenses as well.
| nine-to-five job | kill two birds with one stone |
| back to square one | at the eleventh hour |
| two cents |
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They managed to fix the technical issue , right before the live event started.
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I might as well and drop off my tax forms while I'm at the mall for the computer part I need.
-
Despite months of progress, the team's setback meant they had to go and start over.
-
He didn't want to interfere, but he couldn't help but give his on the situation.
PART II
Direction: Listen as your mentor reads the statements twice. Then, repeat after your mentor.
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🔊
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🔊
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🔊
I thought that we had everything figured out, but now it looks like we're back to square one.