What did they say again?
English is rich in idiomatic expressions. It’s important to understand exactly what they mean. Learn some key idioms here.
First, read the two versions of the short conversations. Then cover up the simpler version and read the idiomatic dialogue again. Can you remember the meanings?
First, the idiomatic way
Lee: I’m running on empty. Do you want to grab a bite to eat? Miles: Do you mind if I take a rain check? I already have plans. Lee: Sure. Give me a call when you’re in town again.
Now, more simply
Lee: I have no energy. Do you want to have something to eat? Miles: Do you mind if I suggest we do it at a later time? I already have plans.
Lee: Sure. Give me a call when you’re in town again. runnning on empty: be ~ ifml. ausge, powert / am Ende sein grab a bite to eat ifml. einen Happen essen , (gehen) take a rain check (on sth.) US etw. auf ein , andermal verschieben
First, the idiomatic way
Miles: Do you want to do lunch on Friday?
Lee: I’d like that.
Miles: What do you fancy? You’re the foodie.
Lee: Let’s go down the pub. They have great pub grub.
Now, more simply
Miles: Do you want to have lunch together on Friday?
Lee: I’d like that.
Miles: What would you like to eat? You’re the foodie.
Lee: Let’s go to the pub nearby. They have great pub food. do lunch ifml. gemeinsam zu , Mittag essen What do you fancy? Worauf hast du , Lust? go down the pub UK ifml. in eine nahe , Kneipe gehen pub grub UK ifml. Kneipenessen ,
First, the idiomatic way
Miles: I’ll get this round. What are you having?
Lee: I’ll have a small glass of Chardonnay. Thanks!
Miles: I’ll get the menu so we can order. Honestly, I’m so hungry I could eat a horse.
Now, more simply
Miles: I’ll order and pay for our drinks this time. What are you having?
Lee: I’ll have a small glass of Chardonnay. Thanks!
Miles: I’ll get the menu so we can order. Honestly, I’m really hungry. I’ll get this round. UK Diese Runde zahle , ich / geht auf mich. I’m so hungry I could eat a horse. ifml. Ich habe einen , Bärenhunger.
First, the idiomatic way
Sylvie: Tell me, did he wine and dine you?
Lee: You could say that. The food was amazing. We were spoilt for choice.
Sylvie: I expect he tried to butter you up over drinks.
Lee: Of course he did.
Now, more simply
Sylvie: Tell me, did he entertain you with expensive food and drink to get our business?
Lee: You could say that. The food was amazing. We were given a lot of choices.
Sylvie: I expect he tried to charm you while you were talking and having drinks.
Lee: Of course he did. wine and dine sb. , jmdn. fürstlich bewirten spoilt for choice: UK die Qual der Wahl , haben butter sb. up ifml. jmdm. Honig ums , Maul / um den Bart schmieren over drinks bei einem , Gläschen