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

Set (13) - Quit keeping up with the Joneses

Dialogue

Steve: Why don’t you mind your own business and quit keeping up with the Joneses? You’re just wasting your time.

Tom: Because of my wife. She keeps moaning and squawking about money.

Steve: Some people are bound to learn it the hard way. I can’t stand hearing such nonsense.

Tom: I’ve tried hard to point out the fact that we different but to no avail. She is a jealous woman. Isn’t she your sister? Why don’t you talk her round?

Steve: What? Sure, it’s getting overcast. Isn’t it? I had better get home before it gets dark.

Vocabulary

Mind your own business: to concern oneself only with what is of interest to oneself and not interfere in the affairs of others.

Keep up with the Joneses: try to equal your neighbors' lifestyle.

Moan: to complain.

squawk: to complain.

To be bound to do something: Be certain or destined to do something.

Learn something the hard way: to discover what you need to know through experience or by making mistakes.

Can’t stand: to hate; to dislike.

Point out: to explain or to tell someone something.

To no avail: without success.

Talk someone round: to convince; to persuade.

Overcast: (of the sky or weather) marked by a covering of grey cloud; dull.

Exercise;

Fill in the gaps with the appropriate expressions;

mind your own business

keep up with the Joneses

moan

squawk

be bound to do something overcast

learn something the hard way

can’t stand

point out

to no avail

talk someone round

a. The baby never stopped .......... all night.

b. All his shouting was ..........; no one could hear him,

c. I know how to deal with my problems. You better ..........

d. I .......... it when she leaves her dirty socks on the floor.

e. We were all .......... about the cold, rainy weather.

f. Toward evening the sky became .......... and it began to thaw.

g. Don’t resist young boy! You .......... to lose.

h. She tried in vain to .......... to him the unfairness of his actions.

i. How you could ..........? he was very decided!

j. Starting your own business is really tough. I had to ..........

k. I'm thinking about getting a third car, just to ..........