Advanced English Conversations - Robert Allans, Ahmet Mustafaoglu, Metin Emir 2019

Set (100) - It’s a dog-eat-dog world

Dialogue

Jack: You should think big, dear! Food, clothing, and shelter are the bare necessities of life. What about humanities and culture?

Alice: But unless you bare your teeth, you’ll end up the one who is left out.

Jack: You’re right! When James says it’s a dog-eat-dog world, I don’t blame him.

Alice: Above all, only few are content to make a living by the sweat of their brow!

Jack: You know what? The thought of this rat race gives me a lump in my throat!

Vocabulary

Think big: to be ambitious.

Bare: the smallest or least possible.

Bare one’s teeth: to display an angry, violent, and/or threatening reaction to or against something or someone.

Left out: not included in something.

Do-eat-dog: a situation of fierce competition in which people are willing to harm each other in order to succeed.

Make a living: to earn enough income to support oneself.

By the sweat of their brow: through one's own efforts or hard work.

Have a lump in one’s throat: a feeling that one is unable to speak due to sadness, anxiety, or another strong emotion.

Exercise

Fill in the gaps with the appropriate phrases:

think big

bare

bare one’s teeth left out

do-eat-dog

make a living

by the sweat of their brow

a lump in one’s throat

a. I had a .......... as I watched the casket of the fallen soldier return home.

b. It's clear that the company was .......... when they came up with the idea for this product.

c. Don't expect this kind of consideration in the real world — it's .......... out there.

d. This pair of entrepreneurs has created a billion-dollar company ..........

e. Of course I felt .......... when you guys went to the concert without me!

f. There isn't much time, so I'll just give you the .......... details.

g. I will .......... to anyone who tries to take away my land.

h. If you quit your job at the hospital, how on earth will you? ..........