More Speak English Like an American » Lesson 22: The Team Makes Plans to Woo Madame Chu
Example: When Tracy's neighbors were playing loud music at 2 a.m., she knocked on their door and said, "I'm sorry to be a wet blanket, but I'm trying to sleep."
Example: Investment advisors recommend holding a variety of stocks and bonds. They say it's important not to put all your eggs in one basket.
Example: The small restaurant has announced plans to publish cookbooks and produce a line of frozen foods. I think they're spreading themselves too thin.
Example: It's risky for David to leave his job as a corporate laywer to run an art gallery. But he says it's a risk worth taking.
Example: "I'm thinking of applying to film school." - "I think you should go for it!"
Example: Your poor opinion of Ted's girlfriend was right on the money. She ended up leaving him after she realized he wasn't rich.
Example: I don't mean to be a naysayer, but I don't think your new business idea is very good.
Example: Before we present our proposal to the CEO, we have to get our manager to go along with it.
Example: The CEO said he was going to retire in a month to spend more time with his family, but then he had a change of heart and decided to stay on the job.
Example: George is moving full steam ahead with his plan to start his own software company.
Example: We're almost ready to buy the house, but before we sign on the dotted line, we're going to ask the sellers to replace the roof.
Example: "Are you still interested in buying my car?" - "Yes, but before we seal the deal, I'd like to take it for another test drive."
Choose the best substitute for the phrase or sentence in bold:
Mark, Steve, Ron, and Sara meet to discuss the dumplings. Steve asks why they're going into the dumpling business, but Ron says he supports the idea. Sara comes up with a new plan for approaching Madame Chu. Mark and Sara decide to fly to Beijing to present it to her.
Mark: We need a plan for Madame Chu's dumplings.
Steve: I don't mean to be a wet blanket, but why are we talking about dumplings? What about the meal kits?
Mark: We shouldn't put all our eggs in one basket. You can keep working on the meal kits, while Sara and I work on the dumplings.
Steve: Aren't we going to spread ourselves too thin?
Mark: That seems like a risk worth taking.
Ron: I agree. I think we should go for it.
Sara: What about hiring Madame Chu to develop recipes for us and using "Madame Chu" as the brand name?
Mark: I think your idea is right on the money.
Steve: Not to be a naysayer, but do you think Madame Chu will really go along with it? You said before that she didn't want to work with us.
Mark: She'll have a change of heart when she hears our new offer.
Ron: Let's move full steam ahead on this. Let's get Madame Chu to sign on the dotted line.
Mark: Okay, Sara and I will get on the next flight to Beijing to seal the deal with Madame Chu!
Ron: You'd better spend the whole week there. She may be difficult to woo.*
* woo - to seek the favor or affection of; to try to convince someone to do something
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