Speak English Like an American » LESSON 24 - Amber Writes a Song

Amber Writes a Song

Ted always writes the songs for the rock band. but now Amber says she wants to start writing songs too. She sings him the first lines of her mew song.

Amber: Ted, you know how all along you've been in charge of all the lyrics for our band?

Ted: That's right, Amber. Everybody loves my songs!

Amber: Well, I hope they'll love my songs too.

Ted: But you don't write songs.

Amber: I'm sick and tired of singing your songs all the time. I want to sing my own songs!

Ted: Okay, no need to freak out! First things first. Have you written a song yet?

Amber: Yes, as a matter of fact, I have.

Ted: Well, let's hear it then.

Amber: Okay, but it's still a work in progress.

Ted: Stop trying to buy time. Let's hear the song!

Amber: My boyfriend is crazy. Crazy about baking cookies. I know for sure that there is no cure...

Ted: Cut it out! Stop teasing me. I am cured.

Amber: All better?

Ted: Yes. I'll never bake another cookie again. My parents made a fortune. Now we can all just chill out!

Idioms
  • all along
    → throughout; from beginning to end
    EXAMPLE 1: Jenny told Nicole she would vote for her, but all along she was planning on voting for Andrea.
    EXAMPLE 2: I never believed Joel when he told us he was marrying a princess from Denmark. I knew all along that he was lying.
  • all better
    → completely cured
    EXAMPLE 1: "All better?" asked Maureen, after her son stopped crying.
    EXAMPLE 2: If you're not all better, you shouldn't go to work tomorrow.
  • as a matter of fact
    → in fact; actually
    EXAMPLE 1: We need more milk? As a matter of fact, I was just going to ask you to go shopping.
    EXAMPLE 2: This isn't the first time Andy has gotten in trouble at school. As a matter of fact, just last month he was suspended for an entire week.
  • (to) buy (some) time
    → to make more time available (in order to achieve a certain purpose)
    EXAMPLE 1: We're not sure yet whether or not we want to buy the house. We'd better buy some time so we can think about it over the weekend.
    EXAMPLE 2: I'm not sure whether or not I want to take the job offer. I'd better buy some time to think about it.
  • (to) chill out
    → to relax
    EXAMPLE 1: Chill out! If we miss this train, we'll just take the next one.
    EXAMPLE 2: Your dog ate your homework? Chill out, I'm sure your teacher will understand!
  • (to be) crazy about
    → to like very much
    EXAMPLE 1: Amy is so crazy about golf, she'd like to play every day.
    EXAMPLE 2: I'm sure Katie will agree to go out on a date with Sam. She's crazy about him!
  • (to) cut it out
    → stop it; stop the annoying behavior
    EXAMPLE 1: Tracy was chewing gum loudly during the movie. Her boyfriend finally told her to cut it out.
    EXAMPLE 2: Cut it out! Stop trying to pull my shoes off!
  • first things first
    → let's focus on the most important thing or task first
    EXAMPLE 1: You want to work here at Lulu's Dance Club? First things first, have you ever worked as a dancer before?
    EXAMPLE 2: You want to ask your teacher if you can hand in your paper two weeks late? First things first, you'd better think of an excuse.
  • for sure
    → definitely
    EXAMPLE 1: This year, Tom Cruise will win an Academy Award for sure.
    EXAMPLE 2: Mike is the most popular guy in school. If he runs for student body president, he'll win for sure.
  • (to be) in charge of
    → having responsibility for
    EXAMPLE 1: John is in charge of all international sales for his company.
    EXAMPLE 2: Who's in charge of making sure we don't run out of toilet paper in the bathroom?
  • in progress
    → happening; under way; going on now
    EXAMPLE 1: The play is already in progress, so you'll have to wait until intermission to sit down.
    EXAMPLE 2: Once the test is in progress, you will not be allowed to leave the room.
  • (to) make a fortune
    → to make a lot of money
    EXAMPLE 1: Adam made a fortune when he sold his company to Microsoft.
    EXAMPLE 2: Emma made a fortune selling candy to her classmates after lunch every day.

    SYNONYMS: to make a bundle; to make a killing

  • (to be) sick and tired of
    → completely bored with; sick of
    EXAMPLE 1: Ted is sick and tired of hearing about what an excellent student Nicole is.
    EXAMPLE 2: I'm sick and tired of this nasty weather we've been having!
  • (to) freak out
    → to respond to something irrationally or crazily; to overreact
    EXAMPLE 1: Ashley's parents freaked out when she told them she was dropping out of college to become an actress.
    EXAMPLE 2: Don't freak out when I tell you this, but I lost the laptop you lent me last week.
Practice The Idioms

Fill in the blanks using these idioms:

  • buy time
  • chill out
  • freaked out
  • all along
  • cut it out
  • in charge of
  • sick and tired of
  • first things first
  1. Nicole really _____ when she heard she lost the presidential election. She threw her books across the room!
  2. Ted, why do you always leave your dirty clothes on the floor? Your mother is _____ cleaning up after you.
  3. Donna, from the National Cookie Company, wanted Susan to sign a contract right away. Susan told her _____ . She wanted to speak to a lawyer before signing any papers.
  4. As president of the Spanish Club, Nicole will be _____ organizing a trip to Spain in the spring.
  5. When Nicole saw a group of her brother's friends laughing at her, she told them to _____ .
  6. After losing the election, Nicole was very upset. She needed to take it easy and _____ .
  7. Bob and Susan weren't sure yet how much they wanted to sell their cookie company for. They needed to _____ so they could get some advice.
  8. Nicole had assumed _____ that she was going to win the election. She was really surprised when she lost.

Fill in the blank with the missing word:

  1. Billy fell down the stairs and started crying. When he finally stopped, his mother asked, "All _____?"
    • a) finger
    • b) foot
    • c) hand
  2. Amber was happy when Ted said they didn't have to bake any more cookies. She was sick and tired _____ baking cookies.
    • a) of
    • b) with
    • c) at
  3. Ethan hasn't yet made up his mind whether or not to accept the job offer. He needs to _____ some time.
    • a) buy
    • b) purchase
    • c) get
  4. The man behind me on the train was whistling loudly. It was giving me a headache. Finally, I told him to _____ it out.
    • a) stop
    • b) cut
    • c) sever
  5. Chill _____ ! We're only going to be a few minutes late.
    • a) it
    • b) in
    • c) out
  6. Adam _____ a fortune working in computers in the late 90's. He was able to retire at age 39.
    • a) had
    • b) made
    • c) found
  7. The students were told that while the test was _____ progress, they wouldn't be allowed to leave the classroom.
    • a) with
    • b) in
    • c) at
  8. Victoria has a big job. She's in charge _____ the marketing department at her company.
    • a) at
    • b) with
    • c) of
Answer Key
Practice The Idioms
  1. freaked out
  2. sick and tired of
  3. first things first
  4. in charge of
  5. cut it out
  6. chill out
  7. buy time
  8. all along
Bonus Practice
  1. b
  2. a
  3. a
  4. b
  5. c
  6. b
  7. b
  8. c
Answer Key
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