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

Set (91) - You’re barking up the wrong tree, dude!

Dialogue

David: Hey man! Won’t you grab a bite before you leave? What’s the hurry?

Stewart: Mum’s the word - I’m on a diet and I’m trying to avoid any food that’s out of season.

David: That’s a hogwash! Your problem isn’t food. What you need is food for thought.

Stewart: We had better not wash our dirty linen in public! I suppose.

David: You chump! What are you driving at?

Stewart: Your crazy cravings! your sweet tooth! You’re barking up the wrong tree, dude! All you need is a bit of workout.

Vocabulary

Grab a bite: to get something to eat.

Mum’s the word: (as a request or warning) say nothing; don't reveal a secret.

Out of season: not grown or available at the time of year in question.

Hogwash: nonsense.

Food for thought: ideas that are worth considering.

Wash one’s dirty linen in public: to talk to other people or in front of other people about personal things that should be kept private.

Chump: a foolish or easily deceived person.

Drive at something: to try to explain or say something.

Sweet tooth: a great liking for sweet-tasting foods.

Be barking up the wrong tree: be pursuing a mistaken or misguided line of thought or course of action.

Workout: exercise.

Exercise

Fill in the gaps with the appropriate phrases:

grab a bite

mum’s the word

out of season

hogwash

food for thought

workout

wash one’s dirty linen in public

chump

drive at something

sweet tooth

be barking up the wrong tree

a. My uncle reads the newspaper to get some .......... about the current on-goings in the world.

b. Now, I don't want anyone to know that I'm pregnant yet, so ..........

c. A typical morning .......... consists of a 12-kilometer paddle, a 10k run, and weight training.

d. If you think I'll help you cheat, you're definitely ..........!

e. There are two lodges for skiers to rest, warm-up, and .......... to eat.

f. Pass lemon squares for those indulgent diners with a ..........

g. What exactly are you .......... with a critical statement like that?

h. We shouldn't .......... and if I was in his position, I'd say nothing at all.

i. After clearing the final fence, the young .......... took the WRONG turning.

j. All this stuff about poisons in the water supply is a load of ..........,

k. The restaurant uses local produce, and menu changes if something is ..........