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

Set (70) - At least to save face

Dialogue

Simon: Peter should never cry uncle - He has to keep right on going. At least to save face.

Emilie: But his opponents are totally unprincipled. They’re resorting to mudslinging.

Simon: It’s a complete a battle of nerves. It’s an asymmetrical one as well.

Emilie: Will he take it lying down? I’m afraid he’s gonna go down swinging.

Simon: All I know is that Peter will have the upper hand as long as he’s sticking to his guns. Period.

Vocabulary

Cry/say uncle: to surrender; to admit defeat; to throw in the towel.

Save face: to avoid humiliation.

Unprincipled: not acting in accordance with moral principles.

Mudslinging: scandalous allegations about an opponent to damage their reputation.

Battle/war of nerves: psychological warfare used to wear down an adversary's resolve through fear tactics.

Asymmetrical: (adj) unbalanced; uneven; out of line.

Take something lying down: to suffer without a fight

Go down swinging: to lose but fight until the end.

Have the upper hand: to have an advantage.

Stick to one’s guns: to refuse to compromise or change, despite criticism.

Exercise;

Fill in the gaps with the correct phrases;

cry/say uncle

save face

unprincipled

mudslinging

battle of nerves

asymmetrical

take something lying down

go down swinging

get/have the upper hand

stick to one’s guns

a. The union has been fighting a .......... with the management over pay.

b. Bright colors and .......... design make Horton Plaza an amusing place.

c. He insulted me publicly. You don't expect me to .........., do you?

d. Now, mutual recriminations, personal attacks on leaders and .......... are the order of the day.

e. If you .......... right now, I'll let you go first in the next game.

f. I was late to the meeting but tried to .......... by blaming an urgent call.

g. But while admitting that his means were sometimes .........., it must be recollected that his real ends were high and noble.

h. The prosecution is going to try to trip you up with your statement and your alibi, but so long as you .........., there's nothing to worry about.

i. The pace was frenetic as neither man wanted to let the other ..........

j. I would rather .......... knowing that I did everything I possibly could.