Page 135 - Speak English Like an American

Bob: | Why not?

Susan: The National Cookie Company called. They want to
buy out our business.

Bob: Susan, this is a dream come true. It looks like we’ ve
struck it rich!

Susan: Yes. Soon we’ll be rolling in dough!

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IDIOMS — LESSON 22

better off — in a more fortunate position
EXAMPLE 1: We’re better off leaving for France on Thursday evening, so
we can spend the entire weekend there.
EXAMPLE 2: If you’re interested in studying languages, you’d be better
off attending Northwestern University than the University of Chicago.
Note: This expression is often used with conditional tense (would), espe-
cially when you’re giving advice: “you would be better off doing some-
thing” or “youd be better off doing something.”

(to) buy out — to purchase an entire business or someone’s
share of a business

EXAMPLE 1: Microsoft bought out Adam’s company for $12 million.
EXAMPLE 2: Harriett and Jane sell homemade snack chips. They hope one
day a big company will buy out their business.

cup of tea — see Lesson 5

dragon lady — a nasty woman who misuses her power

EXxampLe |: Beth is a real dragon lady. She’s always screaming at her
employees and blaming them for her mistakes. I hope she gets fired!
EXampLe 2: Don’t you get it? Your company is about to go out of business!

EXAMPLE 2: Liz was nasty to you? I’m not surprised. She’s a dragon lady.
Synonyms: bitch [slang]; shrew
(to) get it — to understand

ExampLe |: | invited 40 people to my Thanksgiving dinner, but only 10
people came. I don’t get it!

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