Page 59 - Speak English Like an American

Nicole: That’s because they’ve got blue hair and nose rings!

Ted: They’re better than your friends — a bunch of goody-
goodies and brown-nosers!

Nicole: That’s beside the point. Let’s talk about your friends
and their votes.

Ted: Okay. You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours. If
you do my chemistry homework, I’ll help you get the
votes.

Nicole: 1’m not crazy about that idea. But, okay, it’s a deal. I
hope I can count on you.

IDIOMS — LESSON 9

beside the point — see Lesson 3

brown-noser [slang] — a person who’s constantly trying to
win favor with people above them, such as teachers or bosses
Exampte 1: Lauren is such a brown-noser. She’s always telling her
teacher how much she enjoys class.
ExampLe 2: Dennis brought the boss lunch today? What a brown-noser!
Note: You will also see the verb form of this expression: “to brown-
nose.” Example: Dennis is always brown-nosing the boss, but I still don’t
think he’s going to get a promotion.

by far — by a wide margin; by a great difference
ExampLe 1: Some people think Tom Hanks is by far the best actor in
EXamPLe 2: Mediterranean Grill is by far the best restaurant in town. No
America today.

wonder it’s so hard to get a reservation there!
Synonyms: by a long shot; far and away; hands down

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