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

Set 85 - they can find a better way to air their grievances

Barbara: Why are we going by taxi?

John: I’ve heard there is a strike on public transport.

Barbara: Oh. That’s dreadful. I’m against strikes. I feel that strikers misuse democratic structure to blackmail the authorities. If doctors and nurses go on strike, many patients will lose their lives. Surely, they can find a better way to air their grievances that putting people’s lives at stake. In the same way, if teachers go on strike, the career of students are placed on the line.

John: Well; I go along with you to some extent. When public transport goes off the road, the lives of the people who are dependent on may be similarly jeopardized.

Barbara: Some are holding the society to ransom by resorting to strikes.

John: You may have forgotten that employees have no other way to make their voice heard when nobody is ready to hear their grievances. If everybody continues with their work, the authorities take it to mean that everything is right with the world.

Barbara: Right. Many members of the bureaucracy seem to be only interested in only feathering their nest.

Vocabulary;

blackmail: to demand money or another benefit from (someone) in return for not revealing compromising or damaging information about them.

air one’s grievances: to express one's dissatisfaction; to complain.

at stake: at risk; in question.

on the line: at serious risk being harmed.

to some extent: partly; somewhat; to a limited degree.

off the road: no longer able to drive or be driven.

jeopardize: to damage; to harm.

hold someone to ransom: to force someone to do something by putting that person in a situation where they have no choice.

make one’s voice heard: to express your opinions, feelings, etc. so that other people hear or notice.

feather one’s nest: to enrich oneself by using one's influence or position or with other people's money.

Exercise;

Fill in the gaps with the appropriate phrases or words;

1. A former executive, seeking damages of $2. 5 million, was accused of trying to .......... the company.

2. I'm sure he .......... his own nest with the money he allegedly raised for charity.

3. Your idea is really good, so be sure to make your voice .......... during the meeting this afternoon.

4. The administration is willing to negotiate to some .......... but it is not ready to make any significant changes to the legislation.

5. Threatening us with a fine if we don't participate in the survey is a bit like holding us to .........., isn't it?

6. She knew that by failing her finals she could .......... her whole future.

7. They said my truck will be off the .......... until I can get the brakes replaced.

8. Firefighters are regularly willing to put their lives on the .......... in order to save ours.

9. Let’s not invest all of our money in one project. There's a lot of money at .......... here.

10. The employees used the meeting to air their .......... about their salaries and working conditions.

1. blackmail 2. feathered 3. heard 4. extent 5. ransom 6. jeopardize 7. road 8. line 9. stake 10. grievances