Speak Business English Like an American » LESSON 22 - Calling in Sick

Calling in Sick

Maria calls her boss, Scott, to tell him she’s not feeling well and that she s going to have to take a sick day. Fortunately, Scott is an understanding boss.

Maria: Hi, Scott, it's Maria.

Scott: Hey Maria. What's up?

Maria: I'm not feeling well today.

Scott: Oh yeah? What's wrong?

Maria: My stomach is killing me. Maybe it's the sushi I ate last night. I'm as sick as a dog.

Scott: Sara called in sick today also. And Kurt just told me he was feeling under the weather today. I'm not feeling so hot myself. Maybe there's something going around.

Maria: Well, I hope you don't catch it too.

Scott: I can't afford to get sick. I'm up to my ears in work.

Maria: I should be back in the office tomorrow.

Scott: Don't worry about that. You should stay home until you feel better.

Maria: I'll try to work from home this afternoon if I feel better.

Scott: Take it easy today. We want you back in tip-top shape.

Idioms
  • What's up?
    1) What's happening? What's new?. 2) A polite way of asking "What do you want?" when somebody calls or comes into your office.
    EXAMPLE1: What's up? I haven't seen you in a long time.
    EXAMPLE2: "What's up?"    - "I came by to see if you're free for lunch today."
  • my stomach (my head, my arm, etc...) is killing me
    my stomach (my head, my arm, etc...) hurts very badly
    EXAMPLE: Patricia left the office early today. Her stomach was killing her.
  • as sick as a dog
    very sick
    EXAMPLE: Brent got the flu and was as sick as a dog for a week.
  • (to) call in sick
    to phone into the office and say you're sick
    EXAMPLE: Try not to call in sick too often. Employers don't like it.
  • under the weather
    not feeling well
    EXAMPLE: "You look pale. Is everything okay?"  - "Not really. I'm feeling under the weather."
  • (to) not feel so hot
    to feel sick; to not feel well
    EXAMPLE: Jacob canceled our meeting for this afternoon. He said he wasn't feeling so hot.
  • there's something going around
    there's an illness traveling around the office; many people are getting sick from some illness
    EXAMPLE: Be sure to wash your hands often. There's something going around the office, and you don't want to catch it.
  • can't afford to
    don't have time for; don't want to
    EXAMPLE: Sorry, I can't afford to sit here and argue with you. I've got a lot of work to do.
  • up to one's ears in work
    to have a lot of work; to have too much work
    EXAMPLE: Bill is up to his ears in work. He won't be able to meet with you until next week.
  • (to) take it easy
    to relax; to rest; to not do too much
    EXAMPLE: You worry too much about everything. You need to just take it easy.
  • in tip-top shape
    in great condition; completely healthy
    EXAMPLE: Be sure you're in tip-top shape next week for our trip to Beijing.
Practice The Idioms

Fill in the blanks, using the following idioms:

  • killing me
  • in tip-top shape
  • up to my ears in work
  • I'm not feeling so hot
  • take it easy
  • under the weather
  • call in sick
  • there's something going around

Diana woke up this morning feeling (1) ___________ "What's wrong?" her husband Boris asked. "My head is (2)___________ , she replied. Boris handed her the phone and suggested that she (3)___________ . "But I can't stay home today. I've got too much to do at the office," she said. "I'm (4)___________ ." Boris told her that the work could wait. Diana took the phone and called her boss. " (5) ___________ " said Diana. Her boss replied, "It looks like (6)___________ the office. Several other people have also called in sick today. Just (7)___________ today and hopefully tomorrow you'll be (8)___________ ." Diana was grateful that she had such an understanding boss. She rolled over and went back to sleep.

Answer Key
Practice The Idioms
  1. under the weather
  2. killing me
  3. call in sick
  4. up to my ears in work
  5. I'm not feeling so hot
  6. there's something going around
  7. take it easy
  8. in tip-top shape
Answer Key
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