Lesson 1 - My Toe Is Killing Me!

Easy American Idioms » Lesson 1 - My Toe Is Killing Me!

Word List

To be tied up with something or someone

→ To be busy.
To be killing someone

→ To be very painful.
A beauty

→ A very good or vivid example of something; in this case, a really good example of a bad injury.
To do a number on something

→ To damage, destroy, or hurt something badly.
A surefire way to do something

→ A way that will definitely have a certain outcome or result.
To live something down

→ To be allowed to forget about an embarrassing situation. This is used in the negative—to never or not live something down. A common way you’ll hear this expression is the phrase “I’ll never live this down!”
To outdo yourself

→ To do something very well. To do better thanyou normally do. Note that this expression is often used in a sarcastic way.
A tall order

→ An unusually difficult request.
To be out of the question

→ To be impossible to accomplish.
To be back in the saddle

→ To return to your normal activities, especially after an illness or injury. To be back in control of your normal activities.
To handle something

→ To cope with or manage a situation.
To be a piece of cake

→ To be very easy.
To take it easy

→ To do things slowly and carefully, without tiring yourself.
To baby someone or something

→ To treat very carefully and with great sensitivity.
To keep an eye on

→ To watch carefully.
To get in touch with

→ To contact, to talk to someone.
To drop by

→ To visit someone.
To follow up on something

→ To address or check on a situation later.

My Toe Is Killing Me!

Doctor: Sorry you waited so long, Paul; I’ve been tied up all afternoon. What seems to be the problem this time?

Paul: Doc, my toe’s killing me. I think it’s broken.

Doctor: Hmm . . . Let’s have a look. Oh, yeah, that’s a beauty. You really did a number on that toe. How’d it happen?

Paul: I was helping my brother move. I dropped a desk on my foot.

Doctor: Well, that’s a surefire way to break some bones. Paul, didn’t I see you last year for some sprained fingers?

Paul: Yeah . . . I was trying to fix the toilet and got my hand stuck. I yanked it out, and hurt myself. I’m still trying to live that one down.

Doctor: Well, Mr. Fix-it, you’ve really outdone yourself this time. You won’t be walking with this foot for eight weeks.

Paul: That’s impossible! I have a camping trip scheduled for six weeks from now. Can’t it be healed by then?

Doctor: That’s a tall order, Paul . . . But I suppose it’s not out of the question. With a lot of rest now . . . and intensive physical therapy, you just may be back in the saddle again in six weeks. But the therapy requires a lot of work, and time . . . and specifically, following the doctor’s orders . . . Can you handle that?

Paul: Piece of cake!

Doctor: But listen, even if you are walking by then, you’ve got to take it easy during the trip. No climbing trees or jumping across streams or anything. You really need to baby this leg for a while!

Paul: Sure thing.

Doctor: Well, Paul . . . let’s get you bandaged up. We’ll have you hobbling out of here in no time. Now . . . I want you to keep an eye on the swelling in the rest of the leg and foot. And get in touch with Dr. Phillips . . . She’s the physical therapist.

Paul: Okay, Doc. Should I drop by here another day?

Doctor: Yes. We’re going to want to follow up on this in about two weeks.

Paul: I’ll schedule an appointment with the receptionist. Thanks. Bye,Doc.

Doctor: You’re welcome. And Paul, take it easy, would you?

Paul: Yes, I will. I promise.

Favorite Books

Speak English Like an American

If you already speak some English and now would like to speak more like a native, “Speak English Like an American” will help you. One of the keys to speaking like a native is the ability to use and understand casual expressions, or idioms. American English is full of idioms. Speak English Like an American will help you understand and use idioms better. It contains over 300 of today's most common idioms.

Speak Business English Like an American

Speak Business English Like An American covers over 350 idioms and expressions you're likely to encounter in today's business world. Familiarize yourself with all of them.

Speak English Around Town

English idioms, proverbs, and expressions are an important part of everyday English. They come up all the time in both written and spoken English. Because idioms don't always make sense literally, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the meaning and usage of each idiom. That may seem like a lot of work, but learning idioms is fun, especially when you compare English idioms to the idioms in your own language.

English the American Way: A Fun ESL Guide to Language and Culture in the U.S.

English the American Way: A Fun ESL Guide to Language and Culture in the U.S. is your very own ... well, guide, to... yes, American language and culture . You’ll find tons (a lot!) of vocabulary, all of it used in real-life ways.

illustrated Everyday Expressions with Stories 1

The purpose of the Illustrated Everyday Expressions with Stories series is to introduce English language learners to common idioms through humorous examples and illustrations. The lessons in this book will both entertain and enlighten students while providing exposure to how each idiom can be used in a variety of contexts.

illustrated Everyday Expressions with Stories 2

The purpose of the Illustrated Everyday Expressions with Stories series is to introduce English language learners to common idioms through humorous examples and illustrations. The lessons in this book will both entertain and enlighten students while providing exposure to how each idiom can be used in a variety of contexts.

Everyday Conversations: Learning American English

Everyday Conversations is intended for sixth- and seventh-grade students of English as a Foreign Language (EFL) or English as a Second Language (ESL). Students can listen to and/or read dialogues in English. Topics of the conversations include introductions and small talk, shopping, asking for directions, hobbies, and giving advice.

Table of Contents