The idioms for this lesson are in BOLD.
Bob works as a manager in a furniture store. Peter, his boss, is not happy about sales. Bob’s new advertising campaign hasn’t helped. Peter decides to fire him.
Peter: Bob, I hate to break the news, but our sales were down again last month.
Bob: Down again, Peter?
Peter: Yeah. These days, everybody’s shopping at our competition, Honest Abe’s Furniture Store.
Bob: But everything in there costs an arm and a leg!
Peter: That’s true. They do charge top dollar.
Bob: And their salespeople are very strange. They really give me the creeps!
Peter: Well, they must be doing something right over there. Meanwhile, we’reabout to go belly-up.
Bob: I’m sorry to hear that. I thought my new advertising campaign would save the day.
Peter: Let’s face it: your advertising campaign was a real flop.
Bob: Well then I’ll go back to the drawing board.
Peter: It’s too late for that. You’re fired!
Bob: What? You’re giving me the ax?
Peter: Yes. I’ve already found a new manager. She’s as sharp as a tack.
Bob: Can’t we even talk this over? After all, I’ve been working here for 10 years!
Peter: There’s no point in arguing, Bob. I’ve already made up my mind.
Bob: Oh well, at least I won’t have to put up with your nonsense anymore! Good-bye to you and good-bye to this dead-end job.
Peter: Please leave before I lose my temper!
about to – ready to; on the verge of
after all – despite everything; when everything has been considered; the fact is
at least – anyway; the good thing is that...
(to) break the news – to make something known
(to) cost an arm and a leg – to be very expensive
dead-end job – a job that won’t lead to anything else
(let’s) face it – accept a difficult reality
(to) give one the creeps – to create a feeling of disgust or horror
(to) go back to the drawing board – to start a task over because the last try failed; to start again from the beginning
(to) go belly-up – to go bankrupt
(to) give someone the ax – to fire someone
(to) lose one’s temper – to become very angry
(to) make up one’s mind – to reach a decision; to decide
no point in – no reason to; it’s not worth (doing something)
(to) put up with – to endure without complaint
real flop or flop – a failure; to fail
The Broadway play closed after just 4 days — it was a real flop!
The company was in trouble after its new product flopped.
(to) save the day – to prevent a disaster or misfortune
(as) sharp as a tack – very intelligent
(to) talk over – to discuss
top dollar – the highest end of a price range; a lot of money
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Wouldn't it be a good idea to create a course?