Advanced English Conversations (2) - Robert Allans, Matt Edie, A. Mustafaoglu 2020

Set 1 - I’m going through the same rough patch

Jessie: My director is such a control freak. “I wouldn’t do it that way. That’s not right. Don’t do that. Do this.” While I’ve somehow managed to continue trucking along without snapping, I’m getting dangerously close to the end of my rope.

Martin: You’re not alone dear. I’m going through the same rough patch as well. My boss has “my way or the highway” sort of attitude. But I know how to deal with him—without constantly clenching my jaw and balling up my fists.

Jessie: How come? Give it to me straight up.

Martin: Well! When we reach a dead end and I feel it has become obvious that we’re not going to reach any common ground, I simply walk away because screaming over each other will get both of nowhere. If we’re on a level playing field where neither one of us has the upper hand or a final say on some point, I just approach a superior to mediate the situation.

Jessie: But I’m a confrontational person. How on earth can I develop such a laidback attitude?

Vocabulary;

control freak: someone who is determined to make things happen in exactly the way they want.

truck along: to roll or move along especially in an easy untroubled way.

snap: break suddenly and completely, typically with a sharp cracking sound.

at the end of one's rope: at the limit of one's patience; can no longer cope.

go through a rough patch: to experience a lot of problems.

my way or the highway: either you have to agree with my opinion or to leave.

clench one’s jaw/teeth: to squeeze your teeth together firmly, because you are angry or upset.

ball up one’s fists: to get ready to fight.

Give it to me: to tell something to someone clearly and directly.

a dead end: a situation that is unlikely to be successful or to make any progress.

common ground: shared ideas or beliefs, especially between people who often disagree.

a level playing field: a situation in which everyone has a fair and equal chance of succeeding.

have the upper hand: have (or gain) advantage or control over someone or something.

mediate: to intervene in a dispute in order to bring about an agreement or reconciliation.

confrontational: tending to deal with situations in an aggressive way; hostile or argumentative.

Exercise;

Fill in the gaps with the appropriate phrases or words;

1. Her husband's a control .......... - he won't let her leave the house without him.

2. Don’t .......... at the child. He has no clue how things work.

3. Come on, .......... it to me straight. I want to know exactly what happened.

4. The lawyer has been appointed to .......... between the employers and the union leaders.

5. We've been doing everything we can for your father, but I'm afraid the cancer has the .......... hand now.

6. It was a very constructive meeting and I feel that we have established a lot of .......... ground.

7. They are still not providing a .......... playing field in terms of opportunities for women.

8. Jack balled up his .......... before seeing his director as the latter had accused him of getting bribes.

9. Lack of further clues meant that the murder investigation came to a .......... end.

10. Patsy had to wait two hours at the door, but she .......... her jaw to suppress her anger.

11. The baby's been crying all morning, and I haven't slept properly in days. I'm just at the end of my ..........!

12. He hounds us to make unnecessary renovations, has a "my way or the .......... " attitude, and bullies the choir.

13. But can the economy .......... along strongly enough to boost profits while not pushing interest rates higher?

14. Andy's going through a rough .......... at the moment - his wife wants a divorce.

1. freak 2. snap 3. give 4. mediate 5. upper 6. common 7. level 8. fists 9. dead 10. clench 11. rope 12. highway 13. tuck 14. patch