Problematic day

26/10/19

Dear Sue,

It was great to get your letter. You sound as if you’re really enjoying college and I can’t wait to join you. I’m beginning to wish that I had turned a deaf ear to my dad’s suggestion that I spend a year getting some work experience before going to college.

I’ve just got back from work and I’ve had a really bad hair day. For starters, I got up late. I must have switched off my alarm clock when it went off and I didn’t wake up till an hour later. Panic stations! Instead of having a leisurely bath, washing my hair, choosing my clothes carefully and having a nourishing breakfast, I climbed into yesterday’s clothes, grabbed a couple of biscuits and headed for the door.

I could still have caught a bus that would get me to work on time, but as luck would have it, I saw old Mrs Smart next door struggling to put her rubbish bin out on the street. I stopped to help her and got to the bus stop just as the bus had left it. There was no possibility of taking a taxi because I’m on my beam ends until pay day next week. I seriously thought of calling the office to say I was sick, but I decided to go in and face the music.

When I got to the office, I waited until I thought the coast was clear and hurried past reception without being seen by any of the bosses. ‘Hurray!’ I said to myself, ‘I’ve got away with it!’ I spoke too soon. When I go to my desk, there was my supervisor, Mrs Mason. ‘At long last!’ she said sarcastically, ‘you’ve decided to favour us with your presence. My office now!’

By this time I had a very bad headache and was badly in need of a cup of coffee. Instead, I had to listen while Mrs Mason read me the riot act. From what she said I’m completely useless and totally unreliable. It didn’t do much for my morale! The thing is that it was so unfair. I work hard for very little money and I’m hardly ever late. Naturally, I didn’t say this to Mrs Smart!

Sorry this is such a moaning letter, but I badly need somebody to grumble to.

I’II write a more cheerful one soon.

Love Linda Know the Meaning

on your beam ends (idiom/cliche) to have very little money and so in difficulties; used in informal contexts:

Harry is on his beam ends and doesn’t know how he’s going to pay the rent this week. Since their father lost his job the family have been on their beam ends with scarcely enough food to feed the children. the coast is clear (idiom/cliche) used to indicate that it is safe to proceed or escape without the likelihood of being seen or getting caught because

there is no one watching: Jill was worried about what her parents would say about her arriving home late and so she waited for her brother to tell her that their parents had gone to bed and the coast was clear. One of the burglars stood outside the house to make sure that the coast was clear while the other two robbed the house. turn a deaf ear (idiom/cliche) deliberately ignore or pay no attention to someone or something: We urged Jim not to leave college without finishing the course, but he turned a deaf ear to our advice. The authorities turned a deaf ear to those who were protesting in favour of human rights.

a bad hair day (colloquialism) a day when nothing seems to go right; used in informal contexts: I was already having a really bad hair day and then I missed the last bus home. A similar idea is expressed by the cliche get out of bed on the wrong side, although this refers to the fact that you are in a bad mood all day, rather than that everything is going wrong: Mike keeps shouting at all the junior staff today; he definitely must have got out of bed on the wrong side.

at long last (cliche) finally, after a long wait or delay: All the flights were delayed that day, but at long last we arrived at our holiday destination. At long last Sam and Meg arrived at their friend’s house, the journey having taken several hours longer than usual because of very heavy traffic.

as luck would have it (cliche) used to indicate that something unexpected or unforeseen happened: Beth arrived at the station in time for the train, but, as luck would have it, the train was cancelled that day. Because the weather had been very wet we arranged for the children’s party to be held indoors, but, as luck would have it, the day of the party was very sunny.

face the music (idiom/cliche) to accept responsibility for doing something and be prepared to accept the consequences, such as punishment or criticism, of this: Tom was caught playing truant by the principal and is now going to have to face the music.

panic stations (cliche) used to indicate some form of emergency which requires quick action; sometimes used in humorous contexts: Panic stations! I’ve just discovered that my plane leaves an hour earlier than I thought and I haven’t packed yet.

read someone the riot act (idiom/cliche) to rebuke someone angrily for doing something wrong and warn them not to do it again. Mr Jones read his neighbours the riot act after their dog dug up some of his best plants yet again.

speak too soon (cliche) to say something before you know for certain that it is true: Joe phoned to tell us that Mike had won the race, but he spoke too soon because Mike was disqualified. Jane’s mother spoke too soon when she said that it was going to be a lovely sunny day for the wedding; the early morning sun was replaced by clouds and rain by lunchtime.

for starters (cliche) used to introduce the first and most important of several points; used in informal contexts: Paul isn’t really suitable for the job; for starters, he’s not got any experience. We really ought to try to set off early in the morning; for starters, the roads will be less busy then.

the thing is (cliche) used to introduce an explanation, often an excuse or reason for not being able to do something; sometimes used meaninglessly in informal contexts by a speaker to whom it has become a habit: I would love to come to the cinema with you, but the thing is that I promised to visit my parents.

Do It Yourself

1. Replace the words in bold in the following sentence with a cliche:

We can’t give you a job; in the first place you are too young.

2. Explain the origin of the cliche panic stations.

3. Insert the missing words from the cliche in the following sentence:

Dad read us .............. for borrowing his car without permission.

4. Under what circumstances would you use the cliche the coast is clear?

5. Replace the word in bold in the following sentence with a cliche:

The train service was very infrequent, but eventually a train appeared.

6. Several suggested origins have been given for the cliche face the music. Write down one of these.

7. What cliche is used to refer to the occurrence of something unexpected or unforeseen?

8. Substitute a cliche for the word in bold in the following sentence:

I am broke and can scarcely afford the bus fare home.