Page 85 - Speak English Like an American
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(to)  pick  up  —  to  acquire;  to  learn
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       Examp  |:  Bob  picks  up  languages  quickly.  After  two  weeks  in  Spain,
       he  was  already  speaking  Spanish.
       ExampLe  2:  Diana  picked  up  some  great  new  ideas  at  the  workshop.
       Note:  “Pick  up”  has  several  other  meanings,  including:
         1)  To  take  from  the  floor  or  ground.  Pick  up  the  pen  you  dropped.
        2)  To  buy.  Pl  pick  up  some  burritos  on  my  way  home.
         3)  To  clean  up.  Let’s  pick  up  the  bedroom  before  the  guests  arrive.
        4)  To  retrieve  someone.  I’ll  pick  you  up  at  seven  for  our  date.

       sweet  tooth  —  an  enjoyment  of  sugary  foods
       ExampLe  1:  Amber’s  got  a  real  sweet  tooth.  Last  night,  she  ate  a  whole
       box  of  Godiva  chocolates.
       EXAMPLE  2:  No  wonder  Liz  is  so  overweight.  She’s  got  such  a  sweet  tooth!

       (to)  take  a  break  —  to  stop  and  rest  from  an  activity
       ExampeLe  1:  Bob  always  worked  10  hours  straight,  never  taking  a  break.
       EXAMPLE  2:  Let’s  take  a  break  from  our  work  and  go  get  some  ice  cream.

       (to)  take  over  —  to  assume  control
       ExampLe  1:  After  11  hours  of  driving,  I  was  getting  tired.  Fortunately,
       my  friend  offered  to  take  over.
       Example  2:  My  new  boss  will  be  taking  over  some  of  my  projects.

       too  many  cooks  spoil  the  broth  —  too  many  people  involved
       in  an  activity  can  ruin  it
       ExampLe  1:  After  Bob  and  Susan  edited  Nicole’s  college  applications,
       they  were  worse  than  when  she  started.  Too  many  cooks  spoil  the  broth.
       Examp.e  2:  You  don’t  need  to  help  us.  We  have  enough  people  helping
       already,  and  too  many  cooks  spoil  the  broth.
       Note:  Broth  is  a  clear  liquid  that  forms  the  base  for  soups.


       tricks  of  the  trade  —  clever  shortcuts  gained  by  experience
       ExAampLe  1:  The  new  teacher  learned  some  tricks  of  the  trade  from  Mrs.
       Blackstone,  who'd  been  teaching  at  the  school  for  40  years.
       EXAMPLE  2:  My  new  job  will  be  easier  once  I  learn  some  tricks  of  the  trade.

       (to)  work  one’s  tail  off  [slang]  —  to  work  very  hard
       ExampLe  1:  Don  worked  his  tail  off  to  save  money  for  his  son’s  education.
       ExampLe  2:  Bob  worked  his  tail  off  at  the  furniture  store,  but  his  boss
       fired  him  anyway.



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