Page 89 - Speak English Like an American

Ted: Amber, I need to keep working, but you can take a
break if you want.

Amber: No, Vll keep plugging away...I’m just your cookie
slave. Go ahead, treat me like dirt!

Ted: Sorry, Amber. Come here and let me give you a quick
kiss.

(Susan enters the kitchen)

Susan: Hey, what’s going on in here? Are you two making
cookies or making out?

Ei
»

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IDIOMS — LESSON 14

(to) break up with (someone) — to end a relationship with a
romantic partner
EXAMPLE |: When Nicole’s boyfriend told her he didn’t want to see her
anymore, she replied, “I can’t believe you’re breaking up with me!”
EXAMPLE 2: After dating her boyfriend Dan for four years, Erica finally
decided to break up with him.

(to) crank out — to produce rapidly or in a routine manner
EXampLe |: Last night, Nicole cranked out 200 signs for her campaign.
EXAMPLE 2: We just bought a new printer at work. It can crank out 20
pages per minute.

crunch time — a short period when there’s high pressure to
achieve a result

EXAMPLE |: The entire month of December is crunch time for Santa Claus.
EXAMPLE 2: May is crunch time for many students. It’s when they have
their final exams.

EXAMPLE 1: You want me to pay $3 for one cookie? Give me a break!
Give me a break! — that’s ridiculous; that’s outrageous

EXAMPLE 2: You expect me to believe that excuse? Give me a break!
Nore: You might see this written in its informal, conversational form:
“Gimme a break!” This is usually how the idiom is pronounced.

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