More Speak English Like an American » Lesson 3: Mark and Cindy Chat On The Phone
Example: I made some small talk with our company's CEO at the holiday party.
Example: Let me get right to the point. If we don't come up with a plan to increase our sales, we're going to go out of business.
Example: Starbucks announced plans to roll out a new line of coffee drinks.
Example: When the senator announced he would run for president of the United States, reporters worked hard to dig up information about his past.
Example: "Did you hear what happened to Liz on her date with that guy she met online?" - "No, tell me. I'm all ears!"
Example: You want me to help you with your science project? Okay, but it's going to cost you!
Example: Don told you we all have to work on Chrismas Day? Don't listen to him. He's just pulling your leg!
Example: If you're going to be in my neighborhood tomorrow, please swing by and say hi.
Example: Your sister visited you every day when you were in the hospital. The least you can do is call her on her birthday.
Example: Sorry, but Rajeev won't be able to meet with you until next Friday. He's booked solid until then.
Example: I was going to sell this antique vase on eBay, but then I decided to hang onto it instead.
Example: Heather didn't invite me to her wedding, but it's no skin off my nose. Now I won't have to buy her a gift.
Note: You will also see the vaiations "it's no skin off my back" and "it's no skin off my teeth."
Choose the best substitute for the phrase or sentence in bold:
Mark calls Cindy back to see if you can find out what Grand Foods is planning with their frozen Chinese meals. Cindy gives him some information, but tells him that if he wants more, they will need to meet.
Mark: Hi, Cindy. I was just wondering if you have any more information about Grand Foods.
Cindy: Mark, how are you?
Mark: Fine, but I don't have time for small talk right now. I've got a meeting in five minutes.
Cindy: Well, let me get right to the point then. Grain Foods is planning to roll out two new products. Moo Shu Pork and Princess Chicken.
Mark: That's interesting. What else can you tell me?
Cindy: They're buying Fu Dong Foods, a food company in China.
Mark: Thanks. I'll talk to you later.
Cindy: I've dug up more, too.
Mark: I'm all ears.
Cindy: It's going to cost you!
Mark: What? Now you're going to charge me for the information? You must be pulling my leg!
Cindy: I'm asking for money. I was just going to suggest that we get together.
Mark: Well, I guess I can swing by your office later.
Cindy: My office? Ha! I'm offering important information. The least you can do is take me out to dinner on Saturday night.
Mark: I'm booked solid this weekend.
Cindy: Okay, then, I guess I'll just hang onto this information. It's no skin off my nose.
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 covers over 350 idioms and expressions you're likely to encounter in today's business world. Familiarize yourself with all of them.
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.