Page 136 - Speak English Like an American

it looks like — it’s likely that
Exampte 1: It looks like Ill be able to get out of work early today, so
let’s plan on meeting downtown at 4:30.
EXAMPLE 2: It looks like it’s going to rain, so we'd better just cancel the
picnic now.

no laughing matter — nothing to joke about; something serious

ExampLe |: When the tornado came into town, it was no laughing matter.
EXampLe 2: Jim might have been fooling around when he hit John, but
he really hurt him. It was no laughing matter.

nothing to do with (someone or something) — not have any
relationship with someone; to not get involved with something
Exampte 1: After I found out that Nora shoplifted some lipstick from the
drugstore, I wanted nothing to do with her.
EXAMPLE 2: Larry asked Nick if he wanted to help him plan a robbery.
Nick told Larry that he wanted nothing to do with it.

rolling in dough — very rich

EXAMPLE 1: Susan and Bob don’t need to work anymore. They’re rolling
in dough.
Examp_e 2: Adam will be able to retire young. He’s rolling in dough.
Note: This is a play on words. “Dough” means “money” as well as what
is used to make cookies, breads, and pastries. The dough (cookies) made
by Bob and Susan brought them lots of dough (money).
Synonyms: rolling in it; rolling in money; loaded

(to) sell like hotcakes — see Lesson 17

(to) strike it rich — to attain sudden financial success

ExaMpLe 1: Chad struck it rich with the winning lottery ticket.

EXAMPLE 2: Craig hopes to strike it rich so he can quit his job and open
a winery in California.

that’s the way the cookie crumbles — that’s the way things
go sometimes and there’s nothing you can do about it

ExampLe |: You lost your job? That’s the way the cookie crumbles.
EXAMPLE 2: Somebody drank your last can of Pepsi? Oh well, that’s the
way the cookie crumbles.
What’s the matter? — see Lesson 2

135