Bob tells his wife Susan that he lost his job.Susan suggests that he start his own business.
Susan: What’s the matter, dear?
Bob: Susan, I got canned today at work.
Susan: But Bob, you were Peter’s right-hand man!
Bob: Yes, and he stabbed me in the back.
Susan: Keep your chin up. Maybe he’ll change his mind and take you back.
Bob: When pigs fly! Once he makes up his mind, he never changes it. Besides, I told him off.
Susan: Look on the bright side: you won’t have to set eyes on Peter ever again.
Bob: Thank goodness for that!
Susan: Hang in there. I’m sure you won’t be out of work for long.
Bob: In the meantime, we’ll have to live from hand to mouth.
Susan: Don’t get too stressed out, Bob. We’ll make ends meet.
Bob: I can always get a job at McDonald’s as a last resort.
Susan: I don’t think they’re hiring right now.
Bob: If worse comes to worst, we can sell our home and move into a tent.
Susan: Let’s think big! Maybe you can start your own business.
Bob: Easier said than done!
IDIOMS
(to) change one’s mind – to change one’s opinion or decision
EXAMPLE 1: Brandon wasn’t going to take a vacation this year, but then he changed his mind and went to Bora Bora for two weeks.
EXAMPLE 2: Why aren’t you applying to medical school this year? Did you change your mind about becoming a doctor?
easier said than done – more difficult than you think
EXAMPLE 1: You want to climb Mount Everest? Easier said than done!
EXAMPLE 2: Moving into a new home is easier said than done.
(to) get canned [slang] – to lose one’s job; to get fired
EXAMPLE 1: After Chris got canned, it took him a year to find a new job.
EXAMPLE 2: Lisa is a lousy secretary. She deserves to get canned!
SYNONYMS: to get sacked; to be given the ax
(to) hang in there – to persevere; to not give up
EXAMPLE 1: I know you’re four games behind, but you can still win the tennis match. Just hang in there!
EXAMPLE 2: Hang in there, Don! Your invention will soon be a success.
if worse comes to worst – in the worst case; if absolutely necessary
EXAMPLE 1: Ted’s car isn’t running well. If worse comes to worst, he can
take the bus to school.
EXAMPLE 2: I know you’re running out of money. If worse comes to worst, you can always sell some of your jewelry.
(to) keep one’s chin up – to stay positive
EXAMPLE 1: Even when he was unemployed and homeless, Bill managed to keep his chin up.
EXAMPLE 2: Keep your chin up! You’ll find your lost dog soon.
last resort – if there are no other alternatives left; the last solution for getting out of a difficulty
EXAMPLE 1: David was locked out of his house. He knew that as a last resort, he could always break a window.
EXAMPLE 2: I don’t like taking medicine. I’ll only take it as a last resort.
(to) live from hand to mouth – to barely have enough money to survive
EXAMPLE 1: Jenny was earning $5 an hour working at the store. She was really living from hand to mouth.
EXAMPLE 2: George is really poor. He lives from hand to mouth.
(to) look on the bright side – to be optimistic; to think about the positive part or aspect of a situation
EXAMPLE 1: Leo was upset that his soccer game was canceled. His mother said, “Look on the bright side, now you can stay home and watch TV.”
EXAMPLE 2: You lost your job? Look on the bright side, now you’ll have more free time!
(to) make ends meet – to manage one’s money so as to have enough to live on; to be okay financially
EXAMPLE 1: Kimberly wasn’t able to make ends meet so she had to ask her parents to pay her rent.
EXAMPLE 2: If you can’t make ends meet, you’ll need to start spending less.
out of work – unemployed; not working
EXAMPLE 1: Gary was out of work for a year before finding a new job.
EXAMPLE 2: Bob is out of work. Do you know anybody who might want to hire him?
right-hand man – the most helpful assistant or employee
EXAMPLE 1: Juan’s right-hand man helps him make all of his decisions.
EXAMPLE 2: When Jack Thompson retired as president of his company, his right-hand man took over.
(to) set eyes on – to look at; to see for the first time
EXAMPLE 1: Ted was in love from the moment he set eyes on Amber.
EXAMPLE 2: Susan knew from the moment she set eyes on Ted’s friend Lucas that he would be trouble.
(to) stab someone in the back – to betray someone
EXAMPLE 1: Jill and Heather were friends, until Heather stabbed Jill in the back by stealing her boyfriend.
EXAMPLE 2: You’re firing me after all I’ve done for this company? You’re really stabbing me in the back!
(to be) stressed out – under severe strain; very anxious
EXAMPLE 1: Al is so stressed out about his job that he can’t sleep at night.
EXAMPLE 2: You’ve been so stressed out lately. You really need to take a long vacation!
(to) tell off– to scold; to tell someone in strong words what one really thinks
EXAMPLE 1: When Ted showed up for chemistry class a half an hour late, his teacher really told him off.
EXAMPLE 2: Patty is going to tell off the plumber because the pipes he said he fixed are still leaking.
thank goodness – I’m grateful; I’m relieved
EXAMPLE 1: When Ted came home at 4 a.m. last Sunday, his mother said, “Thank goodness you’re home! I was so worried about you.”
EXAMPLE 2: Thank goodness you didn’t go to California on Monday. It rained there every day this week.
(to) think big – to set high goals
EXAMPLE 1: Why run for Governor of New York? Think big: run for President of the United States!
EXAMPLE 2: Ken and Sandra hope to sell their house for $3 million dollars. They always think big.
What’s the matter? – What’s the problem?
EXAMPLE 1: What’s the matter, Bob? You don’t look very happy.
EXAMPLE 2: Oscar looks very pale. What’s the matter with him?
When pigs fly! [slang] – never
EXAMPLE 1: Will Ted teach Nicole how to play the guitar? When pigs fly!
EXAMPLE 2: Sure, I’ll give you my new laptop. When pigs fly!
SYNONYMS: when hell freezes over; never in a million years 20