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

Set (18) - I’ve already greased his palm

Dialogue

Carl: Hey Alice! You look pleased with yourself today. What’s up?

Alice: I’m gonna meet the mayor. It’s such a big deal (1) for me because I will ask him to grant me an exception.

Carl: Big deal! (2) Seriously!

Alice: You know I need to get a license for the new shop. I bet he won’t disappoint me and we’ll find some loophole for this issue.

Carl: Don’t be very overoptimistic. I heard he’s such a big-headed guy.

Alice: Leave it to me. I’ve already greased his palm. Oh, by the way, I heard your team won last night - congrats!

Carl: No big deal! we were against a pretty weak team. But thanks all the same!

Vocabulary

Big deal (1): something important.

Big deal (2): used to express one's contempt for something regarded as impressive or important by another person.

I bet: used for saying that you are sure about something.

A loophole: a means of escape or evasion, esp. a means or opportunity of evading a law, contract, etc.

Big-headed: (adj) conceited or arrogant.

Leave it to me: let me handle it or take care of it.

Greased one’s palm: to bribe.

No big deal: not important.

All the same: despite what has just been said.

Exercise;

Fill in the gaps with the appropriate expressions;

big deal (important)

big deal (contempt)

I bet

loophole

big-headed 

leave it to me

grease one’s palm

no big deal all the same

a. She knew they had meant it kindly, but it had hurt ..........

b. What an arrogant, .......... man, she thought.

c. They don't make a .......... out of minor irritations.

d. “I'll give you an allowance,” he said. ’..........,’ she thought

e. To get that kind of job or promotion you would have to ..........

f. Good for her! She took advantage of a .......... in the tax law.

g. I acted like it was .........., when really it was breaking my heart.

h. Boss: I need someone to get my wife when she arrives from the airport.

Employee: ..........

i. Why is your face all bruised! .......... you were in the middle of a fight.