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

Set 72 - He’ll grow out of it

Wendy: I need your help Richard regarding time management. Every morning I spend ages just standing in front of the wardrobe and try to settle on what to wear. It’s just such a waste of time, especially as I end up putting on the same thing again and again.

Richard: Okay. Straight up, Wendy. I recommend you completely recognize your wardrobe. Set aside ten minutes one day, make a list of your five favorite outfits, and hang them all together.

Wendy: Perfect. Still I have this friend who won’t let me get off the phone. I waste lots of time listening to her telling me every single problem she has. How to handle this issue as well?

Richard: Well; say you would love to chat but you can’t right now and you’ll ring back anther time. Or say you’re pressed for time and you’ve only got five minute and mean it.

Wendy: One last point. My husband expects me to help him to find whatever he can’t find even if I’m in the middle of something important. I spend too much time helping him, and not getting on with what I’m supposed to be doing.

Richard: Well! Never drop what you’re doing and go to help. If he shouts at you from another room, pretend that you don’t hear him. Over time, he’ll grow out of it and learns how find stuff himself.

Vocabulary;

settle on: to make a decision between two or more people or things after not being certain which to choose.

straight up: truthfully; honestly.

set aside: to reserve or save something for someone or for a later use.

get off: to leave; to depart.

pressed for time: in a hurry.

in the middle of: in the process of doing (something).

get on with: to start or continue doing something, especially work.

grow out of: if someone grows out of a habit, they stop doing it, because they are older or wiser.

Exercise;

Fill in the gaps with the appropriate phrases or words;

1. Just as people feel sorrow about the opportunities they have forgone , they may also suffer regret about the option they .......... on.

2. He wants to join the army when he leaves school, but I hope he'll .......... out of the idea.

3. If you make some coffee I'll .......... on with the washing up.

4. I was in the .......... of typing when Robert rang. It was infuriating!

5. A microwave oven can be a real lifesaver when you're .......... for time.

6. We have to .......... off early in the morning before the traffic gets heavy.

7. I recommend you set .......... your bonus as a rainy-day fund for the future.

8. .......... up, I don’t think it’s a good idea to sell the house. You can’t take such a risk.

1. settle 2. grow 3. get 4. middle 5. pressed 6. get 7. aside 8. Straight