Page 75 - Speak English Like an American

2. PRACTICE THE IDIOMS

Abe, owner of Honest Abe's Furniture Store, is talking to Jeff
about a new advertising campaign for the store. Jeff owns an
advertising agency. Complete the dialogue using these idioms:

get the ball rolling drive a hard bargain
crunch some numbers how’s it going
out of the question now you’re talking
twisted my arm make a living

Abe: Hi, Jeff. ?

Jeff: Fine, thanks. I’ve only scheduled a half hour for this meet-
ing, so we'd better

Abe: Jeff, I need you to come up with a new advertising cam-
paign for my furniture shop.

Jeff: I’ve had a chance to , and you’ll need
to pay me $30,000 to come up with some new ideas.

Abe: Thirty thousand dollars? That’s really !

Jeff: Listen, Abe, I need to too. I’ve gota
wife and seven children at home.

Abe: Ill pay you $20,000.

Jeff: If you want quality work, you have to pay for it. Let’s say
$25,000?

Abe: Okay, okay. You’ve . PI pay you $23,000.

Jeff: . That’s a fair price.

Abe: You certainly

Jeff: I know, but you’ll be happy with my work.

ANSWERS TO LESSON 11, p. 163

74