Lesson 10 -- Bob Visits the Village Market
Speak English Like an American -- Lesson 10
Bob goes to the Village Market, a supermarket in town. He asks Carol, the owner of the store, if she would like to sell Susan's Scrumptious Cookies. Carol agrees, but isn't able to tell Bob how much she'll pay him.
Bob: Thank you for making time for me today, Carol.
Carol: Don't mention it, Bob. What's up?
Bob: My wife baked these cookies from scratch. Please take one.
Carol: Mmmm, chewy. These are out of this world!
Bob: My wife's a great coook.
Carol: You can say that again. I don't want make a pig of myself, but let me take a few more.
Bob: Oink Oink! Just kidding!
Carol: I'd like to sell these at the Village Market. My customers will go nuts over these!
Bob: How much would you pay us for each cookie?
Carol: I'm not sure. I need to roll up my sleeves and figure out the finances.
Bob: Can you give me a ballpark figure now?
Carol: I don't want to jump the gun. Sit tight for now, and we'll talk thing over this evening.
Idioms,
Ballpark figure – an approximate number
Don’t mention it! – you’re welcome
(to) figure out – to solve ; to determine
From scratch – from the beginning; using all fresh ingredients rather than using a prepared mix
(to) go nuts (slang) – to react with great enthusiasm
(to) jump the gun – to start doing something too soon or ahead of everybody else
Just kidding – talking more to get a laugh than anything
(to) make a pig of oneself (slang) – to overeat; to eat too much
(to) make time for – to put time in one’s schedule for something
(to) roll up one’s sleeves – to prepare to work
(to) sit tight – to wait patiently
What’s up? – What’s going on ? What’s new?
You can say that again – I agree with you.
