I hate to bring it up, but some of the others said that there is something strange about you. I hate to bring this up, but you have some food between your teeth. When my mother is mad at me she always brings up the time I forgot her birthday.
A: I really don't like the new coffee machine. B: You should bring it up at the next staff meeting.
by all means
said to encourage a person do to something
→
May I have another piece? By all means! "May I have some more chicken?" "By all means!" By all means, take your time and look around the store.
A: Could I borrow your pen? B:By all means!
by chance
not planned; luckily
→
They met, by chance, at the supermarket. By chance, the first birthday card she read was from e brother. They met by chance while they were both vacationing in Hawaii.
A: Where did you get your cat? B: I found him by chance in the park.
carry on
continue
→
OK, now there's nothing to see here. Please carry on with your day. When the storm passed, we carried on painting the house. When the announcement was finished, the class carried on with the lesson.
A: Is everyone back from lunch? B: Yes. Let's carry on with the meeting.
draw the line at
say some point is the limit
→
Son, isn't there somewhere we should draw the line? My parents let me use the car, but they draw the line at allowing me to take long trips. I don't mind sharing a room, but I draw the line at sleeping in the same bed.
A: Lets go to a nightclub. B: OK, but I draw the line at doing disco!
fix up
repair; make nice or good again
→
It's a good car, but you may need to fix it up a bit. They fixed up the office by putting in new carpet and painting the walls. It would cost more to fix up this old boat than to buy a new one.
A: I John going to buy a new house? B: No, he s going to fix up his old one.
get lost
become confused about one's location
→
The got lost in the snow storm. We got lost on the way to the theater. The directions were not clear, so we got lost.
A: Why are you late? B: I got lost on the way.
high time
time for some action that has been postponed too long
→
It's high time we got out of here! I think it's high time we fix the heater. I'm freezing! My mother said it was high time that I got my hair cut and found a job.
A: It's high time you cleaned your room! B: Yes, Mom. I'll do it right away.
lose one's temper
become angry
→
Don't make me lose my temper! He lost his temper and hit the table with his fist. It is dangerous to lose your temper while driving.
A: What happened to your hand? B: I lost my temper and punched the wall!
pull over
move one's vehicle to the side of the road and stop
→
Could you pull over? I need to use a washroom! She pulled over to take a picture of the beautiful scenery by the highway. The police officer yelled at the driver, "Pull over!"
A: I think we're lost. B: Let's pull over and look at the map again.
Practice
Choose the best answer.
After a short coffee break we ________ with the meeting.
a. carried on
b. fixed up
c. pulled over
I hate to ________ this subject now, but do you have the money you owe me?
a. bring up
b. carry on
c. get lost
If you are tired, ________ take a nap on my bed.
a. by chance
b. high time
c. by all means
My uncle is generous, but he ________ lending money to relatives.
a. by all means
b. draws the line at
c. high time
She can be very scary when she ________ .
a. gets lost
b. carries on
c. loses her temper
________, I found ten dollars under the table at the restaurant.
a. Draw the line at
b. By chance
c. High time
The bus driver ________ because one of the passengers got sick.
a. pulled over
b. fixed up
c. got lost
They wanted to ________ the old apartment, but they did not have enough money.
a. lose his temper
b. fix up
c. carry on
We ________ in London and drove around for hours in the fog.
a. fixed up
b. brought up
c. got lost
He was surprised when his boss told him, "I think it's ________ you got a raise."
a. high time
b. draw the line at
c. by chance
Answer Key
Choose the best answer.
a
a
c
b
c
b
a
b
c
a
Answer Key
Dialog
Fill in the blanks.
by all means
got lost
by chance
high time
carry on
pull over
On the highway:
Tom: Yes, Officer?
Policeman: I asked you to because your brake light is broken. May I see your license and car registration?
Tom: ! Here they are.
Policeman: Well, I think it's you had that fixed. It's not safe to drive around with a broken brake light.
Tom: Yes, sir.
Policeman: I won't give you a ticket this time. Get that light fixed.
Tom: I will, Officer. Um, I wonder if you could help. I met my friend at the post office this morning and we planned to meet at Le Chez for lunch. I thought it was on Lexington Street, but I took a wrong turn and .
Policeman: At the next stoplight, turn left. Lexington will be the third street on the right.
Tom: Thank you, officer! the good work you are doing!
Read the following story
Everybody knows that men hate to stop and ask for directions. My husband is no different. Every time we get lost, we drive around for hours before he finally pulls over and asks for help.
One Saturday we saw an ad in the newspaper for a country dance and picnic at a farm outside of town. We fixed up our old cowboy hats, cut out the map from the newspaper and started driving. After a few hours, I brought up the fact that we were lost. Of course my husband lost his temper when I suggested we ask someone for directions.
"I can find it!" he yelled.
I didn't see any point in fighting about it, so I just told him, "By all means, carry on."
After another hour of driving, I decided it was high time to ask for help. By chance we passed a little gas station with an old man sitting out by the pumps. My husband agreed to stop because we needed gas, but he drew the line at asking for directions. I got out of the car and walked over to the old man. Before I asked him anything he smiled and said.
"The map is wrong. It's Highway 23, not 32."
"How did you know?" I asked in surprise.
"You're the fifth woman whose husband has gotten lost in the last hour!"
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