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

Set 14 - A window of opportunity is coming our way

Paul: I am really tired of hanging about, twiddling my thumbs. Let's take the bull by the horns and start selling souvenirs. Look at all the tourists buzzing around. A window of opportunity is coming our way, and we ought to jump at it right away.

Samson: Yes, we should strike while the iron is hot. I’ve always been open to any initiatives and ideas. It makes sense to utilize our talents after all. I also learned that the antique shop down the street is looking for artworks.

Paul: Yes. I heard they want a minimum of 10 artworks per artist.

We’ve only got 5 sculptures.

Simon: Well; we’ll have to put our shoulders to the wheel and make some more.

Paul: I think I’ll also find some other places we can sell our work. I’ll leave no stone unturned until I’ve found some more shops willing to deal with us. By the way; why don’t you ask your cousin to give us a hand. He has a large antique shop downtown.

Simon: Not a chance, we’re not on the same page these days.

Vocabulary;

hang about: to loiter (somewhere); to idly waste time (somewhere).

twiddle one’s thumbs: to wait idly because one has nothing to do at the moment.

take the bull by the horns: to confront a problem head-on and deal with it openly.

buzz around: to be busy and full of energy.

a window of opportunity: a favorable opportunity for doing (sth) that must be seized immediately.

coming one’s way: to be encountered or obtained by one.

strike while the iron is hot: to take action before you lose your chance.

utilize: to use something in an effective way; to make use of.

put one’s shoulders to the wheel: to make vigorous efforts; to work very hard and diligently.

leave no stone unturned: to do all that one can or use every available resource to complete a task.

deal with: to business with someone.

downtown: in or to the central part of a city.

not a chance: absolutely not; no way; there is no possibility.

on the same page: to have the same ideas as someone else.

Exercise;

Fill in the gaps with the appropriate phrases or words;

1. I wish you wouldn't .......... about the house like this. Why don't you go outside for a while?

2. You actually think Gina will go with you to the dance? Not a .........., pal.

3. Reporters were .......... around, trying to get the full story.

4. I deliberated too long before accepting the job offer, and now they've given it to someone else. I should have struck while the .......... was hot.

5. Everyone in the office has to be on the same .......... about what our top priorities are.

6. I've got a meeting .......... in 20 minutes so I'll have lunch on the hoof.

7. I like to .......... with this company. They take well care of their clients.

8. I know that the new deadline is tight, but if everyone puts their .......... to the wheel, I know we can get it done in time!

9. I left no stone .......... when I was researching my thesis topic. I think I checked out every book on it that the library had!

10. The economic crisis has provided China with a window of .......... to leverage its relative stability and status as a trade surplus country.

11. The library’s great collection allowed me to .......... many rare sources.

12. Good opportunities always seem to .......... my brother's way, whether he works hard for them or not.

13. You've been complaining about being out of work for too long—it's time to take the bull by the .......... and go find a job.

14. I'm just twiddling my .......... here in the ER, waiting for someone to give me an update on Claire's condition.

1. hang 2. chance 3. buzzing 4. iron 5. page 6. downtown 7. deal 8. shoulders 9. unturned 10. opportunity 11. utilize 12. come 13. horns 14. thumbs