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

Set 67 - Some will be prepared to cut through the red tape for you

James: It is becoming more difficult to obtain permission to build a house as the government has introduced new legislation which has tightened controls. It can take quite some time after putting in an application for permission to be given.

Mark: Yeah! It’s kind of a sticky situation. This is because the planning officers have to ensure that your plans do not violate the regulations relating to building in your area. Mind you some planning officers are more vigorous about exercising authority than others. You don’t want to end up empty-handed after all. Some will be prepared to cut through the red tape for you.

James: Well; I’ll bring you up to speed on this matter day by day. If the worst comes to the worst, I might ask you to show your teeth.

Mark: Let’s not jump the gun. Most of the officers are cooperative as I’ve just said. However, if anything goes wrong, I’ll be at your side.

Vocabulary;

tighten controls: to make a rule, system, or law stronger and more difficult to ignore.

put in an application: to submit an official request for something, usually in writing.

sticky situation: a particularly awkward, embarrassing or difficult situation or circumstance

violate the regulations: to break the rules.

vigorous about: (adjective) full of energy, enthusiasm, or determination.

exercise authority: If you exercise something such as your authority, your rights, or a good quality, you use it or put it into effect.

red tape: excessive bureaucracy or adherence to official rules and formalities.

bring someone up to speed on: to give them all the latest information about something.

If the worst comes to the worst: if the most serious or difficult circumstances arise.

show one’s teeth: to demonstrate or use one's power or authority in an aggressive or intimidating way.

jump the gun: to act before the proper or appropriate time.

at someone’s side: supporting someone, or remaining loyal to them

empty-handed: (adjective) having failed to obtain or achieve what one wanted.

Exercise;

Fill in the gaps with the appropriate phrases or words;

1. Up until now the police have been very patient with the strikers, but today they really showed their ..........

2. The family will be at her .......... throughout the trial.

3. I probably jumped the gun with announcing our engagement before everyone was there, but I was just too excited.

4. Alice put in an .......... for college but she is yet to get the response.

5. Delegates from the warring sides held a new round of peace talks but went away ..........

6. If the worst comes to .......... and your supplier goes into liquidation, you may be able to get compensation.

7. I guess I should bring you up .......... on what's been happening since I came to see you yesterday.

8. State institutions are corrupt to the core. It’s impossible to cut through the red .......... without bribes.

9. Through the mechanisms of corporate governance, shareholders and their boards of directors exercise .......... over the executives of publicly held corporations.

10. She is energetic and .......... about her goals, she continues to put forth constant effort toward her vision

11. James was caught in the act of exceeding the speed limit and was fined for .......... traffic regulations.

12. I'll be in quite a sticky situation if I arrive at the train station and don't have enough money for the tickets!

13. The government moved to .......... the rules on toxic substances in the air.

1. teeth 2. side 3. gun 4. application 5. empty-handed 6. the worst 7. to speed 8. tape 9. authority 10. vigorous 11. violating 12. tighten