Page 73 - Speak English Like an American

Carol: You drive a hard bargain, Bob.

Bob: Yes, but we make a good cookie.

Carol: Let’s get the ball rolling. Bring me 2,000 cookies on
Monday morning by 9 a.m.

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IDIOMS — LESSON 11

can’t complain — things are going well; I’m fine
EXampLe 1: “How’s business, Mike?” —“Can’t complain. I sold a lot of
computers this month.”
EXampLe 2: “How are things going at your new job?” — “Can’t complain.”

(to) crunch numbers — to perform calculations (especially
financial calculations)
ExamPLe I: Scott loves to crunch numbers, so he decided to become an
accountant.
ExamPLe 2: Wendy spends all her time at work in front of the computer
crunching numbers and analyzing sales data.

(to) drive a hard bargain — to be tough in negotiating an
agreement; to negotiate something in one’s favor
Exampte |: I wanted to pay less for the car, but the salesman drove a
hard bargain.
Examp_e 2: Eric drove a hard bargain and got the company to raise
their salary offer by $15,000.

(to) get the ball rolling — to get started

EXamPLE 1: Let’s get the ball rolling on this project. We’ve only got one
week to finish it.

ExampLe 2: “How’s it going?” Vladimir asked me. “Not bad,” I replied.
EXAMPLE 2: If we don’t get the ball rolling on our vacation plans soon,
we’ll end up going nowhere.
How’s it going? — How are you?
EXampLe |: “How’s it going?” I asked Ted. “Everything’s fine. How are
you?” he replied.

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