1burke david the slangman guide to biz speak 1 slang idioms j

COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD: Now I’m a big wig in a large company.. "real speak": Earl arrived late ta work, so the boss canned ’im!. "real speak:" ’Ar new boss ’ez a slave driver.. MAKES

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10 9 8 7 6 5 4

One of the most importantparts of any language is to

be able to understand whatyou hear These exercisescan all be found on the

audio program (See order form on back page for details)

These exercises reinforce

visual recognition of the

slang terms and idioms

presented throughout this

book

These oral exercises aredesigned to help you tobegin speaking andthinking like a native

EXPLANATION OF ICONS

These exercises includefill-ins, crossword puzzles,word matches and manyother fun word games tohelp you use the new terms

in context

1. Did you hear the news? Nancy got a big promotion Now she’s abig wig!

“big wig” means:  executive  secretary

2. Jennifer got reprimanded by the boss for missing herdeadline

“deadline” means:  dying telephone connection  completion date

3. My new boss makes us work late every night and on weekends What aslave driver!

“slave driver” means:  relaxed boss  relentless and demanding boss

4. I only have a week to get this job completed I’d betterget cracking

“get cracking” means:  leave work early  start working

5. I’ve been out of work for a month I need to startpounding the pavement soon

“pounding the pavement” means:  taking more walks  looking for employment

6. I just gotcalled on the carpet for wasting time at work

“called on the carpet” means:  reprimanded  offered a carpeted office

7. My father sleeps during the day because heworks graveyard He gets home early in the morning

“works graveyard” means:  works in a cemetery  works the late-night shift

8. Bob just gotcanned for stealing money from the company!

“canned” means:  fired  pickled

9. I’m tired of doing Bob’s job for him He neverpulls his weightaround here

“pulls his weight” means:  goes to the gym  does his share of work

10. I hate being apaper-pusher I want to find a job that’s more creative

“paper-pusher” means:  clerical desk worker  paper vendor

Ja son: Did you hear the news about Earl? He was called on the carpet by some

of the big wigs for missing his deadlines They told him that if he doesn’t start pulling his weight around here, they’re going to demote him to paper-pusher Not only that, they’re going to make him work

graveyard , too!

Da vid: Well, he’d better get cracking or those slave drivers are going

to can him for sure I’m sure he’d hate having to pound the pavement again.

The words introduced on the first two pages are used in the

dialogue below See if you can understand the conversation.

Note: The translation of the words in boldface is on the

opposite page.

A DIALOGUE USING SLANG & IDIOMS

CD-A: track 2

B DIALOGUE translated INto STANDARD ENGLISH

LET’S SEE HOW MUCH YOU REMEMBER!

Just for fun, bounce around in random order to the words

and expressions in boldface below See if you can remember

their slang equivalents without looking at the left-hand page!

Ja son: Did you hear the news about Earl? He was reprimanded by some of the

executives for missing his completion dates They told him that if he doesn’t start doing his share of work around here, they’re going to demote him to a clerical desk worker Not only that, they’re going to make him work the late-night shift from midnight to 8:00 A.M , too!

Da vid: Well, he’d better start working or those relentlessly demanding bosses

are going to fire him for sure I’m sure he’d hate having to look for employment again.

C DIALOGUE USING “REAL SPEAK”

The dialogue below demonstrates how the slang conversation on

the previous page would really be spoken by native speakers!

CD-A: track 3

Ja son: Did’ja hear the news aboud Earl? He w’z called on the carpet by some ’a thebig

wigs fer missing ’isdeadlines They told ’im thad if ’e doesn’ startpulling ’is wade

aroun’ here, they’re gonna demode ’im tapaper-pusher Nod only that, they’re gonna

Da vid: Well, ’e’d bedderget cracking ’er thoseslave drivers’er gonnacan’im fer sher I’m

sher ’e’d hate having dapoun’ the pavemen’ again.

big wig n executive, a person in charge of a business.

example: Margaret’s first job was as a secretary Now she’s abig wig

in her company.

translation: Margaret’s first job was as a secretary Now she’s an

executive in her company.

"real speak": Margaret’s first job w’z as a secretary Now she’s a big

wig in ’er company.

Synonym 1: big cheese n.

Synonym 2: big shot n.

Synonym 3: biggie n.

Synonym 4: boss man / boss lady n.

Synonym 5: chief n.

Synonym 6: exec n.

Synonym 7: head honcho n.

Synonym 8: higher ups n.pl (typically used in plural form).

Synonym 9: top brass / big brass / brass n.

Synonym 10: top dog n.

NOW you DO IT COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:

Now I’m a big wig in a large company But my first job was…

called on the carpet (to get) exp to get reprimanded (by a boss, parents, etc.).

example: Al got called on the carpet for wasting time at work.

translation: Al got reprimanded for wasting time at work.

"real speak": Al got called on the carpet fer wasting time ’it work.

Synonym 1: bawled out (to get) exp.

Synonym 2: chewed out (to get) exp.

Synonym 3: raked over the coals (to get) exp.

NOW YOU DO IT COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:

vocabulary

The following words and expressions were used in the previous

dialogues Let’s take a closer look at what they mean.

CD-A: track 4

can someone (to) v to fire someone from a job.

example: Earl arrived late to work, so the boss canned him!

translation: Earl arrived late to work, so the boss fired him!

"real speak": Earl arrived late ta work, so the boss canned ’im!

Variation: get canned (to) exp to get fired.

Synonym 1: give someone the axe (to) exp.

Synonym 2: give someone the boot (to) exp.

Variation: boot someone out (to) v.

NOW YOU DO IT complete the phrase aloud:

gotcanned because…

deadline n completion date.

example: The boss said that if I miss mydeadline one more time,

he’ll can me!

translation: The boss said that if I miss mycompletion date one more

time, he’ll fire me!

"real speak": The boss said th’d if I miss mydeadline one more time,

he’ll can me!

Also: under the gun (to be) exp to be pressured to make a

deadline.

NOW YOU DO IT COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:

The lastdeadline I had was…

get cracking (to) exp to start working.

example: If you plan on finishing your assignment before you leave

on vacation, you’d better get cracking

translation: If you plan on finishing your assignment before you leave

on vacation, you’d better start working

"real speak": If ya plan on finishing yer assignment b’fore ya leave on

vacation, ya bedder get cracking

Synonym 1: get the ball rolling (to) exp.

Synonym 2: get the show on the road (to) exp.

NOW YOU DO IT COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:

paper-pusher exp a clerical desk worker (who does boring administrative tasks that require large

amounts of paper work).

example: I’ve been a paper-pusher in a law firm for two years.

I need to find a job that’s more interesting and fun.

translation: I’ve been aclerical desk worker in a law firm for two

years I need to find a job that’s more interesting and fun.

"real speak": I’ve been a paper-pusher ’n a law firm fer two years.

I need da find a job th’t’s more int’resting ’n fun.

NOW YOU DO IT COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:

My friend… works as apaper-pusher in a

exit

pound the pavement (to) exp to look for employment.

example: I’ve been pounding the pavement for three weeks

and I still can’t find a job.

translation: I’ve been looking for employment for three weeks

and I still can’t find a job.

"real speak:" I’ve been pounding the pavement fer three weeks ’n

I still can’t find a job.

Synonym 1: job hunt (to) exp.

Synonym 2: knock on doors (to) exp.

Variation: job hunting (to go) exp.

NOW YOU DO IT COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:

pull one’s weight (to) exp to do one’s share of work.

example: If Pat doesn’t start topull his weight around here, we’re

going to have to find a replacement for him.

translation: If Pat doesn’t start todo his share of work around here,

we’re going to have to find a replacement for him.

"real speak:" If Pat doesn’ start tapull ’is wade aroun’ here, w’r gonna

hafta find a replacement for ’im.

Synonym: tow the line (to) exp.

NOW YOU DO IT COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:

neverpulls his/her weight at work.

slave driver exp a relentlessly demanding employer.

example: Our new boss is a slave driver She demands excessive

work from all the employees.

translation: Our new boss is a relentlessly demanding

employer She demands excessive work from all the employees.

"real speak:" ’Ar new boss ’ez a slave driver She deman’s excessive

work fr’m all the employees.

NOW YOU DO IT COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:

is aslave driver! work graveyard (to) exp to work the late-night shift from midnight to 8:00A.M.

example: I prefer working graveyard because I can do errands

early in the day.

translation: I prefer working the late-night shift because I can

do errands early in the day.

"real speak:" I pruhfer working graveyard ’cuz I c’n do erran’s

early ’n the day.

Variation: work the graveyard shift (to) exp.

Also: work [the] swing shift (to) exp to work from 4:00

P.M. to midnight.

NOW YOU DO IT COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:

Iwork graveyard doing…

10¢

Bloddy Mary

A CHOOSE THE RIGHT WORD (Answers on p 217)

Underline the appropriate word that best completes the phrase.

1 If you don’t start (pulling,pushing,shoving) your weight around here, you’re going to get fired.

2 Jane used to be my assistant, but yesterday she got promoted Now, she’s a (large,big,huge) wig.

3 I have to hurry and get this assignment finished I have a five o’clock (dead,life,alive)line!

4 My father works (cemetery,burial,grave)yard and gets home from work at eight o’clock every morning.

5 I got called on the (rug,carpet,floor) for coming to work late this morning.

6 Ron came back from lunch totally drunk yesterday If that happens again, the boss is going to (box,can,bag) him!

7 I’ve been unemployed for a month I guess it’s time to (pound,hit,strike) the pavement.

8 I have a lot of work to finish by tonight I’d better get (cracking,smashing,breaking).

9 My father enjoys being a paper-(puller,shover,pusher) because he likes administrative work.

10 My boss is excessively demanding He’s a real slave (operator,driver,conductor).

CD-A: track 5

MAKES SENSE DOESN’T MAKE SENSE

– Bill is a great worker!

– That’s why the boss canned him.

MAKES SENSE DOESN’T MAKE SENSE

– I got called on the carpet today – Did the boss give you a raise?

MAKES SENSE DOESN’T MAKE SENSE

– Anne is a great boss to work for.

– I know What a slave driver!

MAKES SENSE DOESN’T MAKE SENSE

– I work as a paper-pusher.

– Really? You sweep floors?

MAKES SENSE DOESN’T MAKE SENSE

– Why are you working so fast?

– I have a 5:00 P.M. deadline!

MAKES SENSE DOESN’T MAKE SENSE

– I did all of Bob’s work for him.

– He never pulls his weight.

Read the short conversations Decide whether the slang used

makes sense or doesn’t make sense Circle your answer.

MAKES SENSE DOESN’T MAKE SENSE

– I finished all my work early – Then you’d better get cracking.

MAKES SENSE DOESN’T MAKE SENSE MAKES SENSE DOESN’T MAKE SENSE

– I hear you got a promotion!

– That’s right Now, I’m a big wig.

65

4

98

7

CD-A: track 6

– I work from 7:00 A.M. to 7:00 P.M.

– Do you like working graveyard?

C CREATE YOUR OWN SENTENCE (Answers on p 217)

Read Person A’s questions or statements aloud and use the

suggested words to create your response for Person B.

CD-A: track 7

1 I just found out that Carl got fired! I warned him that if he didn’t start pulling his _ around here, he’d lose his job.

2 Alan just got called on the because he was making too many personal phone calls at work.

3 Poor Tessa She’s been pounding the every day for the past three weeks and she still can’t find a job.

4 We have to get all this work finished in only one week It’s going to be difficult, but we can do it

if we get _ right away.

5 Betty and I used to work together as secretaries, but last month she got a promotion to general manager Now she makes constant, excessive demands on everyone She’s really turned into a _ driver!

6 Henry just got his job evaluation and it is was really poor It wouldn’t surprise me if the boss decided to him.

7 I hate working When my friends invite me to go with them to the movies at night, I can never go.

8 I just got a job as senior vice president at one of the largest law offices in Los Angeles! I can’t believe I’m actually going to be a big !

9 I wish I could go to your party tonight, but I have a big _ tomorrow I have to get this assignment finished by noon.

Complete the phrase by choosing the appropriate word from

the list below.

Can Carpet

Cracking

Deadline Graveyard Pavement

Slave Weight wig

CD-A: track 8

axe someone (to)exp to fire someone.

example: I just heard that Bob gotaxed

because he was caught stealingfrom the company!

translation: I just heard that Bob gotfired

because he was caught stealingfrom the company!

"real speak": I just heard th’t Bob godaxed

b’cuz ’e w’z caught stealing fr’mthe company!

Variation: give someone the axe (to)

exp.

back to the drawing board (to go)exp.

to start all over again

example: After spending weeks preparing

my proposal, the boss rejected it

Back to the drawing board

translation: After spending weeks preparing

my proposal, the boss rejected it

I have to start all over again

"real speak": After spending weeks pruhparing

my pruhposal, the boss rejecded

it.Back ta the drawingboard

back to the salt mines (to get)exp a

humorous way of saying “to get back to work.”

example: I can’t believe our lunch hour is

over already Well,I have toget back to the salt mines

translation: I can’t believe our lunch hour is

over already Well,I have toget back to work

"real speak": I can’t believe ’ar lunch hour’s

already over Well,I hafta getback ta the salt mines

Variation: back to the grind (to get)exp.

blood, sweat and tearsexp said of

something that takes a lot of hard work,mental stress and disappointments

example: After a lot ofblood, sweat and

tears, I finally finished theconstruction of my newrestaurant

translation: After a lot ofhard work,

mental stress anddisappointments, I finallyfinished the construction of mynew restaurant

"real speak": After a lod ’evblood, sweat ’n

tears, I fin’lly finished theconstruction of my new resterant

You probably know by now that even after studying English for ten years, if you don’t know the popular

slang used by virtually everyone, you’re going to miss what people are saying! Once you have learned

everyday slang and idioms, you’ll find that understanding American TV shows and movies is abreeze

(very easy)!

But there is still one more piece of the puzzle to this “secret language” if you want to be truly fluent, especially if you work in the U.S — business slang, jargon and idioms You’ll find that most of the business slang throughout this book is so commonly used in the workplace that much of it has crept its way into our everyday conversations!

More General Workplace Slang & Idioms (A-H)

blue-collar workern someone whose work

involves manual labor, as opposed to a

white-collar worker who has a desk job.

example: My fa ther has been a

blue-col lar worker all his life Withthe money he made, I was able

to go to col lege

translation: My father has been amanual

laborer all his life With themoney he made, I was able to go

to college

"real speak": My father’s been ablue-collar

worker all ’is life With themoney he made, I w’z able da go

da college

bonusn an additional payment given to an

employee who has demonstrated outstanding

service

example: I just got abonus for doing

such a good job on my lastassignment What a nice surprise!

translation: I just got anadditional

payment for doing such a goodjob on my last assignment What

a nice surprise!

"real speak": I jus’ god abonus fer doing

such a good job on my lastassignment Whad a nice saprise!

boot someone [out] (to)exp to fire

someone

example: Be careful If you come in late

one more time, you’re going togetbooted [out]!

translation: Be careful If you come in late

one more time, you’re going togetfired!

"real speak": Be careful If ya come in late one

more time, y’r gonna getbooded [out]!

Variation: get the boot (to)exp.

bring home the bacon (to)exp to make

money

example: We both need tobring home

the bacon or we’re not going tohave enough money to pay rent!

translation: We both need tomake money

or we’re not going to haveenough money to pay rent!

"real speak": We both need dabring home

the bacon ’er w’r not gonnahave anuf money da pay rent!

bring someone up to speed (to)exp to

give someone all the current information

example: I need tobring you up to

speed on what happened in theoffice yesterday

translation: I need togive you the

current information aboutwhat happened in the officeyesterday

"real speak": I need dabring ya up ta

speed on what happened in theoffice yesderday

buck for a raise (to)exp to be very

determined about getting a raise

example: Johnson isbucking for a

raise He’s been working harderthan any other employee

translation: Johnson isdetermined to get

a raise He’s been workingharder than any other employee

"real speak": Johnson’sbucking fer a raise

He’s been working harder th’nany other employee

buckle down (to)exp to make an extra effort

to work hard

example: The boss is going to be here

tomorrow, so we all need tobuckle down to get this jobfinished

translation: The boss is going to be here

tomorrow, so we all need tomake an extra effort to getthis job finished

"real speak": The boss ’ez gonna be here

damorrow, so we all need dabuckle down ta get this jobfinished

bumped up (to get)exp • 1 to get

promoted • 2 to get elevated, as in a salary

raise

example 1: Congratulate me I just got

bumped up to vice president!

translation: Congratulate me I just got

promoted to vice president!

"real speak": C’ngradjalate me I jus’ got

bumped up ta vice president!

example 2: My salary gotbumped up this

morning I’m now making twice

as much as I was yesterday!

translation: My salary gotraised this

morning I’m now making twice

as much as I was yesterday!

"real speak": My salary gotbumped up th’s

morning I’m now making twice

’ez much ’ez I w’z yesderday!

bust one’s buns (to)exp to work extremely

hard

example: Ibusted my bunsall week in

order to get this job finished intime for the meeting thismorning

translation: Iworked extremely hardall

week in order to get this jobfinished in time for the meetingthis morning

"real speak": Ibusded my bunsall week ’n

order da get th’s job finished ’ntime fer the meeding th’smorning

Synonym 1: bust one’s ass (to)exp (crude

yet very popular) Synonym 2: bust one’s hump (to)exp.

busy as a beaver (to be as)exp to be

extremely busy

example: I wasas busy as a beaver all

day I never stopped moving!

translation: I wasextremely busy all day

I never stopped moving!

"real speak": I wasas busy as a beaver all

day I never stopped moving day!

Variation: busy [little] bee (to be a)exp.

call in sick (to)exp to call work and inform

them that you won’t be coming in due toillness

example: I don’t feel well this morning

I think I’m going tocall in sick

translation: I don’t feel well this morning

I think I’m going tocall workand inform them that Iwon’t be coming in due toillness

"real speak": I don’t feel well this morning

I think I’m gonnacall in sicktaday

Variation: take a sick day (to)exp.

call it a day (to)exp to stop working for the

day

example: I’m tired I think I’m going tocall

it a day See you tomorrow

translation: I’m tired I think I’m going to

stop working for the day.See you tomorrow

"real speak": I’m tired I think I’m going tocall

it a day See you tomorrow

Variation: call it a night (to)exp.

call it quits (to)exp to quit for the day or to

quit permanently, depending on the context

example: I have a doctor’s appointment so

I need tocall it quits a littleearly

translation: I have a doctor’s appointment so

I need toquit for the day alittle early

"real speak": I have a docter’s appointment so

I need dacall it quits a liddleearly

carve out a niche (to)exp to create a

speciality that very few, or no one else, hasdone

example: David has become popular

writing slang books He’s reallycarved out a niche for himself

translation: David has become popular

writing slang books He’s reallycreated a specialty forhimself

"real speak": David’s become popular wriding

slang books He’s reallycarvedoud a niche fer ’imself

copy someone on something (to)exp to

send a copy of a letter, memo, or email to

someone

example: Pleasecopy me on the letter

you’re sending to the boss

translation: Pleasesend me a copy of the

letter you’re sending to the boss

"real speak": Pleasecopy me on the ledder

y’r sending ta the boss

cover for someone (to)exp to assume

someone else’s responsibilities temporarily

example: I need to take my son to his

doctor’s appointment Can youcover for mewhile I’m gone?

translation: I need to take my son to his

doctor’s appointment Can youassume my responsibilitiestemporarilywhile I’m gone?

"real speak": I need ta take my son to ’is

docter’s appointment C’n yacover fer mewhile I’m gone?

cut back (to)exp to economize by spending

less

example: Last year we went over budget,

so this year we need tocutback

translation: Last year we went over budget,

so this year we need toeconomize by spending less

"real speak": Last year we wen’ over budget,

so this year we need dacutback

Variation: make cutbacks (to)exp.

cut out to be something (to be)exp to

have the qualifications to do something

example: I don’t think Rob iscut out to

be a doctor He doesn’t takeanything seriously

translation: I don’t think Robhas the qual

i-fi ca tions to be a doc tor Hedoes n’t take any thing se ri ously

"real speak": I don’t think Rob’scud out ta

be a docter He doesn’t takeanything seriously

Synonym: have the makings of

something (to)exp.

daycaren a place where a child can receive

care during the day while the parent is atwork

example: Since Jeffrey is too young for

school, in the morning I take him

todaycare and pick him upafter work

translation: Since Jeffrey is too young for

school, in the morning I take him

toa place where he can getcare during the dayand pickhim up after work

"real speak": Since Jeffrey’s too young fer

school, in the morning I take ’im

dadaycare ’n pick ’im up afterwork

deadwoodn a useless employee who doesn’t

do any work

example: I don’t know why Tina was never

fired from this company

Everyone knows she’s nothingbutdeadwood!

translation: I don’t know why Tina was never

fired from this company

Everyone knows she’s nothingbuta totally useless

employee!

"real speak": I dunno know why Tina w’z

never fired fr’m this company.Ev’ryone knows she’s nothing b’tdeadwood!

Note: Dead wood lit er ally means “parts

of a tree that are dead.” There fore, when an em ployee is

-re fer-red to in this way, it meansthat he/she just sits mo tion less

like dead wood in stead of

work ing

desk jockeyn someone who is stuck behind a

desk all day

example: I’m tired of being adesk

jockey I want to find a jobwhere I can be more active

translation: I’m tired of being adesk

worker I want to find a jobwhere I can be more active

"real speak": I’m tired ’a being adesk

jockey I wanna find a jobwhere I c’n be more akdiv

do a sell job on someone (to)exp to sell

someone something by being aggressive

example: I can’t believe you bought the

first car you saw! The salespersonmust havedone a sell jobonyou!

translation: I can’t believe you bought the

first car you saw! The salespersonmust havebeen very

aggressivewith you!

"real speak": I can’t believe you bought the

first car you saw! The salespersonmust’evdone a sell jobon you!

do something by the book (to)exp to

follow the rules exactly

example: My old boss used to let us take a

little over an hour for lunch everyday My new boss is the opposite

She does everythingby thebook We get one hour forlunch and that’s it!

translation: My old boss used to let us take a

little over an hour for lunch everyday My new boss is the opposite

She does everythingbyfollowing the rules exactly

We get one hour for lunch andthat’s it!

"real speak": My old boss usta led us take a

liddle over ’n hour fer lunch ev’ryday My new boss ’ez the oppazit

She does ev’rythingby thebook We get one hour fer lunchan’ that’s it!

dog eat dog world (a)exp said of a world in

which only the strong survive

example: In business, it’sa dog eat dog

world That’s why you have to

be aggressive

translation: In business,only the strong

survive That’s why you have to

be aggressive

"real speak": In bizness, it’sa dog eat dog

world That’s why ya hafta beaggressive

don’t make wavesexp don’t cause any

problems

example: Since you’re new to our

company, I have some advice foryou.Don’t make waves andyou’ll keep your job

translation: Since you’re new to our

company, I have some advice foryou.Don’t cause any

problems and you’ll keep yourjob

"real speak": Since y’r new do ’ar company,

I have s’m advice fer you.Don’tmake waves ’n you’ll keep yerjob

early bird gets the worm (the)prov the

person who awakens earliest (or who starts aproject first) gets the most opportunities forsuccess

example: You should try to go to bed early

and get up early Remember,theearly bird gets the worm!

translation: You should try to go to bed early

and get up early Remember,the person who awakensearliest gets the mostopportunities for success!

"real speak": You should try da go da bed

early ’n ged up early Remember,the early bird gets theworm!

elbow greaseexp extra physical effort to get

something done

example: You’ll never get your car clean

like that You need to apply moreelbow grease!

translation: You’ll never get your car clean

like that You need to apply morephysical effort!

"real speak": You’ll never get cher car clean

like that Ya need da apply moreelbow grease!

fence-mending (to do some)exp to

reestablish a relationship (as you would repair

a broken fence between two neighbors)

example: Our company has never had a

good relationship with RetskyPrinting I think it’s time todosome fence-mending becausewe’re going to need their

services soon!

translation: Our company has never had a

good relationship with RetskyPrinting I think it’s time toreestablish a relationshipbecause we’re going to needtheir services soon!

"real speak": ’Ar company’s never had a good

relationship with Retsky Printing

I think it’s time dado s’mfence-mending b’cuz w’rgonna need their services soon!

fill-in for someone (to)exp to replace

someone temporarily

example: I’m going tofill-in for Carol

while she’s on vacation

translation: I’m going toreplace Carol

temporarily while she’s onvacation

"real speak": I’m gonnafill-in fer Carol

while she’s on vacation

flunkyn someone who does unskilled tasks.

example: I know I’m only aflunky, but

someday I’m going to own a bigcorporation

translation: I know I’m only aworker who

does unskilled tasks, butsomeday I’m going to own a bigcorporation

"real speak": I know I’m only aflunky, b’t

someday I’m gonna own a bigcorperation

fly-by-night operationexp an unreliable

business that tries to make a quick profitusually through dishonesty

example: Don’t buy a car from them! They

run afly-by-night operation

translation: Don’t buy a car from them! They

run abusiness that tries tomake a quick profit usuallythrough dishonesty

"real speak": Don’t buy a car fr’m them! They

run afly-by-nide operation

get down to brass tacks (to)exp to focus

on the fundamental issues

example: We have a lot to do Let’sget

down to brass tacks

translation: We have a lot to do Let’sfocus

on the fundamental issues

"real speak": We have a lot ta do Let’sget

down ta brass tacks

Synonym: get down to business (to)exp.

get one’s foot in the door (to)exp to start

working for a company in a position lowerthan one desires in the hope of a promotion

example: I just need toget my foot in

the door Then I can get theposition I really want

translation: I just need tostart work ing in

the com pany in a lower

po si tion than I want Then Ican get the po si tion I re ally want

"real speak": I jus’ need daget my foot ’n

the door Then I c’n get thepuhsition I really want

give someone the heave-ho (to)exp to

fire someone

example: Theygave the heave-ho to

Ron this morning because hiswork was terrible

translation: Theyfired Ron this morning

because his work was terrible

"real speak": Theygave the heave-ho da

Ron th’s morning b’cuz ’is workw’z terr’ble

Note: The expression Heave-ho! is a

popular command meaning, “Lift

it with all your strength!” Whenapplied to a person, it literallymeans “to lift the person andthrow him/her out.”

gofern someone who does errands.

example: After being agofer for a year,

today I was promoted to anexecutive position!

translation: After being anerrand boy for a

year, today I was promoted to anexecutive position!

"real speak": After being agofer fer a year,

Ta’day I w’z pruhmoded to ’nexecudive puhsition!

Note: The term go fer is ac tu ally a

play-on-words since it stands for

some-one whose job it is to “go fer this

and go fer that.” Re mem ber, fer

is a com mon re duc tion of “for.”

going great guns (to be)exp to be

progressing extremely well

example: Our new company has only been

open for a week and we’realreadygoing great guns

translation: Our new company has only been

open for a week and we’realreadyprogressingextremely well

"real speak": ’Ar new company’s only been

open fer a week an’ w’r awreadygoing great guns

gold minen an extremely successful business.

example: I had no idea that my small

business would make so muchmoney It’s really turned into agold mine!

translation: I had no idea that my small

business would make so muchmoney It’s really turned into anextremely successful

business!

"real speak": I had no idea th’t my small

bizness would make so muchmoney It’s really turned into agold mine!

grease monkeyn mechanic.

example: I may be agrease monkey, but

I make as much money as somedoctors!

translation: I may be amechanic, but

I make as much money assome doctors!

"real speak": I may be agrease monkey,

b’d I make ’ez much money ’ezsome docters!

grunt workn hard, unskilled, physical labor

(that makes you grunt)

example: My boss asked me to move the

furniture from his office to thenew bigger office down the hall.I’ve been doing thisgruntwork all day and we’re only halffinished!

translation: My boss asked me to move the

furniture from his office to thenew bigger office down the hall.I’ve been doing thishard,physical labor all day andwe’re only half finished!

"real speak": My boss as’t me da move the

furniture from ’is office ta thenew bigger office down the hall.I’ve been doin’ thisgrunt workall day an’ w’r only half finished!

hatchet mann the person given the task of

firing employees (or figuratively, “the personwho chops off the heads of victims, abruptlyending their lives” – in this case, their worklives)

example: Smith is late again?! I guess I’ll

have to be thehatchet manand fire him

translation: Smith is late again?! I guess I’ll

have to be theterminator and fire him

employee-"real speak": Smith ’ez lade again?! I guess a’ll

hafta be thehatchet man ’n fire

’im

Note: Al though the trend in Amer i can

busi ness is to be po lit i callycor rect, mak ing terms non-gen der spe cific (such as

po lice man = po lice of fi cer, chair man = chair per son, etc.), the term hatchet man does not

yet have a non-gen derequiv a lent There fore, a woman

can ac tu ally be called a hatchet

man as well, al though some will

use hatchet per son, hop ing to

pop u lar ize it

have good contacts (to)exp to know

people who can help you get a good job

example: I’ve decided to become an actor

It shouldn’t be too hard because

Ihave good contacts in theentertainment business

translation: I’ve decided to become an actor

It shouldn’t be too hard because

Iknow people in theentertainment business

"real speak": I’ve decided ta b’come ’n acter

It shouldn’t be too hard b’cuz

Ihave good contac’s ’n theen’ertainment bizness

have one’s job on the line (to)exp to

have one’s job in jeopardy

example: Myjob is on the line because

the boss thinks I work too slowly!

If I don’t improve, I’ll be fired!

translation: Myjob is in jeopardy because

the boss thinks I work too slowly!

If I don’t improve, I’ll be fired!

"real speak": Myjob’s on the line b’cuz the

boss thinks I work too slowly! If Idon’ improve, a’ll be fired!

head and shoulders above the

competition (to be)exp to be much

better than one’s competitors

example: Our computers arehead and

shoulders above any others onthe market No one can competewith our superior technology!

translation: Our computers aremuch

better than any others on themarket No one can competewith our superior technology!

"real speak": ’Ar c’mpuders’erhead ’n

shoulders above any others onthe market No one c’n c’mpetew’th ‘ar suhperier technolagy!

hired gunexp a person hired by a business to

handle complex legal or business problems

example: Bret Lewis is the attorney I was

telling you about He’s our newhired gun

translation: Bret Lewis is the attorney I was

telling you about He’s our newproblem solver

"real speak": Bret Lewis ’ez the attorney I w’z

telling you about He’s ’ar newhired gun

hired handn an employee (hired to be an

“extra hand” for the boss)

example: Jerry is our newhired hand

He’s going to help me packageorders every morning

translation: Jerry is our newemployee He’s

going to help me package ordersevery morning

"real speak": Jerry’s ’ar newhired hand

He’s gonna help me packageorders ev’ry morning

hunt-and-peck typistexp a person who

types by having to look at each key (as

opposed to a touch typist who has the

keyboard memorized by feel)

example: Ted types so slowly He’s a

hunt-and-peck typist

translation: Ted types so slowly He’s a

person who types by having

to look at each key

"real speak": Ted types so slowly He’s a

hunt-’n-peck typist

1. Al isbetween jobs He’s still looking for work.

 working two jobs

 unemployed

2. Brenda got fired from another company? She

really can’thold down a job, can she?

 keep a job

 find a job

3. After my day job, Imoonlight as a nurse to

make extra money

 work a second job

 take walks at night

4. Ahead hunter just called and offered me a

great job!

 psychiatrist

 job recruiter

5. I justlanded a job as director for a new

television show! I’m so excited!

 obtained a job

 got fired from a job

6. My new job has greatperks I get four weeks ofvacation, medical insurance, and a car!

 works very little

 works extremely hard

Jane: I heard you’re between jobs Is that true?

Nancy: Well, I was But not any more I got tired of holding down a job during the day and

then moonlighting to make extra money, so I quit those jobs I wasn’t working at all until I went to a headhunter who helped me land a job with incredible perks in a new company Not only that, but I even got a pay hike In fact, I’m allowed to knock off early as long as I get my work done.

Jane: That’s great! I’m glad to hear you finally got a cush job after working like a dog

for so long!

The words introduced on the first two pages are used in the

dialogue below See if you can understand the conversation.

Note: The translation of the words in boldface is on the

opposite page.

A DIALOGUE USING SLANG & IDIOMS

CD-A: track 9

Jane: I heard you’re unemployed Is that true?

Nancy: Well, I was But not any more I got tired of maintaining a job during the day and then

working a second job at night to make extra money, so I quit those jobs I wasn’t

job with incredible job benefits in a new company Not only that, but I even got a raise

in salary In fact, I’m allowed to leave work early as long as I get my work done.

Jane: That’s great! I’m glad to hear you finally got an easy job after working extremely

hard for so long!

B DIALOGUE translated INto STANDARD ENGLISH

LET’S SEE HOW MUCH YOU REMEMBER!

Just for fun, bounce around in random order to the words

and expressions in boldface below See if you can remember

their slang equivalents without looking at the left-hand page!

C DIALOGUE USING “REAL SPEAK”

Jane: I heard y’r between jobs Izat true?

Nancy: Well, I was B’t nod any more I got tired of holdin’ down a job during the day ’n

then moonliding da make extra money, so I quit those jobs I wasn’ working ad all

in a new company Nod only that, b’d I even god a pay hike In fact, I’m allowed da knock off early ’ez long ’ez I get my work done.

Jane: That’s great! I’m glad da hear ya fin’lly god a cush job after workin’ like a dog fer

so long!

The dialogue below demonstrates how the slang conversation on

the previous page would really be spoken by native speakers!

CD-A: track 10

between jobs (to be) exp a more positive and euphemistic way of saying “to be unemployed.”

example: I worked for a printing company for ten years, but last

week I got laid off Now I’m between jobs I’m sure I’ll find work again real soon.

translation: I worked for a printing company for ten years, but last

week I got laid off Now I’m unemployed I’m sure I’ll find work again real soon.

"real speak": I worked fer a prin’ing company fer ten years, b’t last week

I got laid off Now I’m b’tween jobs I’m sher a’ll find work again real soon.

Variation: between engagements (to be) exp.

Synonym: laid off (to be) exp.

NOW YOU DO IT COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:

Ever since I got fired from… I’ve beenbetween jobs.

cush job n an extremely easy job.

example: Steve just got hired as a restaurant critic He’s going to fly

all over the world to review the food served in different restaurants What a cush job !

translation: Steve just got hired as a restaurant critic He’s going to fly

all over the world to review the food served in different

"real speak": Steve jus’ got hired ’ez a resterant cridic He’s gonna fly all

over the world ta review the food served ’n diff’rent resterants Whad a cush job !

Variation: cushy job n.

Synonym 1: breeze (a) n said of anything easy to do.

Synonym 2: cakewalk (a) n said of anything easy to do.

Synonym 3: cinch (a) n said of anything easy to do.

Synonym 4: piece of cake exp said of anything easy to do.

Synonym 5: snap (a) n said of anything easy to do.

Antonym: grunt work exp a tedious, physically demanding job

(that makes the worker grunt from the effort).

NOW YOU DO IT COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:

My friend… works as a.… What acush job!

vocabulary

The following words and expressions were used in the previous

dialogues Let’s take a closer look at what they mean.

CD-A: track 11

headhunter exp a job recruiter who helps companies find candidates to fill executive positions.

example: I just got a call from a headhunter who said that a major

company is looking for someone with my skills He got me

an interview tomorrow morning!

translation: I just got a call from an executive job recruiter who

said that a major company is looking for someone with my skills He got me an interview tomorrow morning!

"real speak": I jus’ god a call fr’m a headhun(t)er who said th’d a

major company’s looking fer someone w’th my skills He got me ’n in’erview damorrow morning!

Note: The lit eral mean ing of head hunter is “a sav age who kills his

vic tims by cut ting off their heads.” The above is a

play-on-words since head also means “the per son in charge

(such as an ex ec u tive).”

NOW YOU DO IT COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:

Aheadhunter just got me an interview with

hold down a job (to) exp to maintain a job.

example: I don’t know how Cecily does it She holds down two

jobs , takes care of her fam ily, and does vol un teer work at night!

translation: I don’t know how Cecily does it She main tains two

jobs , takes care of her fam ily, and does vol un teer work at night!

"real speak": I dunno how Cecily does it She holds down two jobs ,

takes care ’ev ’er fam ’ly, an’ does vol un teer work ’et night!

NOW YOU DO IT COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:

Ihold down a job as…

knock off early (to) exp to leave work early.

example: I’m going to knock off early today I have to go home

and get ready to go to the theater tonight.

translation: I’m going to leave work early today I have to go home

and get ready to go to the theater tonight.

"real speak": I’m gonna knock off early taday I hafta go home ’n get

ready da go da the theeder tanight.

Also: call it a day (to) exp to leave work.

Synonym 1: call it quits (to) exp.

Synonym 2: cut out (to) exp.

Synonym 3: pack it in (to) exp.

Synonym 4: wind it up (to) exp.

Synonym 5: wrap it up (to) exp.

NOW YOU DO IT COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:

I’m going toknock off early today because…

we needheads, inc

land a job (to) exp to obtain a job.

example: I have great news! I landed a job today! Next week I’m

going to start working as an editor in a big publishing company.

translation: I have great news! I ob tained a job to day! Next week

I’m go ing to start work ing as an ed i tor in a big pub lish ing com pany.

"real speak": I have great news! I landed a job taday! Next week

I’m gonna start working as ’n edider ’n a big publishing company.

Synonym 1: land a gig (to) exp.

Synonym 2: land a nine-to-five (to) exp.

Also: land a contract (to) exp to sign a contract with a new

client.

NOW YOU DO IT COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:

Today Ilanded a job at…

moonlight (to) v to work a second job, typically at night.

example: My sister works in a nursery school during the day, then

moonlights as a nurse until one o’clock in the morning.

translation: My sister works in a nursery school during the day, then

works a second job at night as a nurse until one o’clock in the morning.

"real speak": My sister works ’n a nurs’ry school during the day, th’n

moonlights ’ez a nurse ’til one a’clock ’n the morning.

Note: Although to moonlight means “to work at night,” even

native speakers commonly make the mistake of being redundant, using “at night” with “moonlight.” For

example: Al works in a factory during the day, then

moonlights at night as a teacher.

NOW YOU DO IT COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:

Imoonlight as a

pay hike (to give someone a) exp a raise in salary.

example: My boss just gave me a pay hike Now I’ll be making

twice as much money!

translation: My boss just gave me a raise in salary Now I’ll be

making twice as much money!

"real speak": My boss jus’ ga’me a pay hike Now a’ll be making

twice ’ez much money!

Synonym: bump up someone’s salary (to) exp to give

someone a raise in salary.

Antonym: dock someone’s pay (to) exp to deduct from

some-one’s salary, usually as a punishment.

NOW YOU DO IT COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:

perks n.pl special benefits you get from your job (such as free medical and dental coverage, free car,

free gas, free car insurance, etc.)

example: I’m going to get some great perks with my new job From

now on, I won’t have to pay for any medical and dental and I’m even going to get a company car to drive!

translation: I’m going to get some great special benefits with my

new job From now on, I won’t have to pay for any medical and dental and I’m even going to get a company car to drive!

"real speak": I’m gonna get s’m great perks w’th my new job Fr’m

now on, I won’t hafta pay fer any medical ’n den’al, an’ I’m even gonna ged a company car da drive!

Synonym 1: extras n.pl.

Synonym 2: fringe benefits exp.

NOW YOU DO IT COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:

Some of theperks I get in my new job are

work like a dog (to) exp to work extremely hard.

example: Lee worked like a dog to get her assignment finished

by the deadline.

translation: Lee worked extremely hard to get her assignment

finished by the deadline.

"real speak": Lee worked like a dog ta ged ’er assignment finished

by the deadline.

Synonym 1: plug away (to) exp.

Synonym 2: put one’s nose to the grindstone (to) exp.

Synonym 3: work like a maniac (to) exp.

Synonym 4: work like crazy (to) exp.

Synonym 5: work like mad (to) exp.

Synonym 6: work one’s butt off (to) exp.

NOW YOU DO IT COMPLETE THE PHRASE ALOUD:

Iwork like a dog Every day my boss makes me…

A FIND THE MISSING WORDS (Answers on p 218)

Complete the dialogue by filling in the blanks with the correct

word using the list below.

Claudia: Your sister just told me that you quit your horrible job and found a job

somewhere Is that true?

Pa tri cia: It sure is! I got tired of working like a _ I was down a

full-time job and to make more money So, last week I

off early and went to see a _ hunter who said he

could help me a job with great I even got a pay

! I make better money and do less work! And the best part is that I was never

jobs I just went from one job to another.

between cush dog head hike

holding knocked moonlighting perks land

CD-A: track 12

b CREATE YOUR OWN NEWSPAPER COLUMN (Answers on p 218)

Fill in the spaces then transfer your answers to the newspaper column

below Make sure to match the number of your answer with the

numbered space Next, read your column aloud Remember: The funnier

your answers, the funnier your column will be!

1 Write down a “thing” (pencil, potato, toothbrush, etc.):

2 Write down a “thing” (pencil, potato, toothbrush, etc.):

3 Write down a “body part” (ear, liver, foot, etc.):

4 Write down an “adjective” (strange, tall, fat, etc.):

5 Write down an “adverb” (strangely, quickly, sickeningly, etc.):

6 Write down a “place” (market, movie theater, hospital, etc.): _

7 Write down an “adjective” (strange, tall, fat, etc.):

8 Write down an “occupation” (mechanic, doctor, janitor, etc.):

9 Write down a “thing” in plural form (pencils, potato, toothbrushes, etc.): _

10 Write down a “thing” (pencil, potato, toothbrush, etc.):

c MATCH THE SENTENCES (Answers on p 218)

Match the numbered sentences below with the lettered

sentences on the next page Write your answers in the boxes at

the bottom of the pages.

CD-A: track 13

c MATCH THE SENTENCES - (continued)

CD-A: track 13