A: I fear that war is at hand.B: Don't worry. I'm sure the countries will reach an agreement.

a steal on one's own

at hand refer to A as B

get better take one's time

more or less think highly of

on hand try out

-rh" earn" ;6 at: hano:l.Now go!l't In the"" ano:l

0:10 ~ur beet.

4Tlor,Ur,U

Christmas is at hand. I have to buy gifts for my family.When I was a child, my mother was always close at hand.

My friend sold me his old car. It was a steal!The land next to the river is a steal! You should buy it.

A: I just bought a DVD playerfor $95!B: Wow! What a steal!

o at hand::: near (time or space)

a a steal::: very cheap; a very good price

3

..J get better =improve

His cold got better after he rook a day off work.Her singing \vill get better if she practices every day.

A: This movie is boring!B: Don't worry. It gets better.

.J more or less =approximately; almost

.7\.ly cousin and I are more or less the same age.The airline tickets were more or less the same price.

A: Which shirt is better?B: They are more or less the same quality.

.J on hand = near and ready for use

The male and female fleh IooIcmore or Ittee the &

He referred to his classmate as his friend even though theyonly studied together.Many people refer to this book as the author's greatest work.

~p refelTlng toom", 8& YOUI' "ITIIIn:fm not; YOUI' 'man'

OK, BIlly.Now, lOa'" YOUI'time _Md de

r nswer.

Practice

1. He often his wife as hisbest friend.a. refers tob. tries outc. thinks higWy of

2. I want to that newlanguage program for learningEnglish while sleeping.a. tryoutb. take my timec. get better

3. Ir has been six years, _since I visited my hometown.a. more or lessb. at handc. a steal

.t. Keep plenty of coffee -,_---,-_because this is going to be a longmeeting.a. more or lessb. on handc. on your own

:::l. She her supervisor, soshe does not mind when he offersher suggestions.a. takes her timeb. thinks highly ofc. is on her own

6. Wherever the president goes, hisbodyguards are close _a. on their ownb. a stealc. at hand

7. There is no rush, so you can____ getting ready.a. get betterb. refer toc. take your time

8. This computer is at thisprice. You should buy it before thesale finishes.a. on handb. a stealc. refer to

9. We had to study most of thematerial because theprofessor only wanted to talkabout his theory in class.a. tryoutb. more or lessc. on our own

10. You will never if youdon't rest and do as the doctorsays.a. think highly ofb. get betterc. refer to

29

-

Dialog

F

on my ownthinks highly of

refer to him asgetting better

How are you feeling, Mark?I think I'm . At least I can move my fingers today.Great! Everyone the doctor who is treating you. Theysay he is the best.Yeah. He is good. I heard the nurse Dr. Miracle.Well, everyone at work is hoping you can come back soon, but____. Do you know how long you will be in the hospital?Actually, I am going home tomorrow. And since my wife has towork, I'll be there all day.Wili you be OK?I think so. I can manage things with my lefthand _lfyou need anything, just call. I'll be closeat hand. I'll come over and give you a hand.Just hand over all your prob-lems to me. I can handlethem. I'll be on hand.OK! OK! I get it. Very funny!Thanks, Bob!

take your timemore or less

Bob:

In the hospital:

Bob:Mark:

Mark:

Mark:Bob:

Mark:

Bob:Mark:Bob:

Idioms in Context

Read the following story.

M y Brazilian friend has only lived in the United States for sixmonths, but his English is great. Before he came to the US, hestudied in a language school] but mostly he learned Englishon his OWIl from reading English books and watching movies. He badlearned basic conversation before he arrived in the US. Then, after he gothere, his vocabulary and listening got better very quickly. I would say thathe is now more or less fluent in English. However, sometimes he still has[rouble with idioms.

: One day, he asked me to help him buy some jewelry for his girlfriendback in Brazil. Her birthday was close at hand and he wamed to getsomething nice. He showed me a picture of his girlfriend before wc wentshopping. When I saw the picture rsaid, "Wow! Your girlfriend is a realspring chicken."

, My friend asked me, "Why do you refer to mygirlfriend as a chicken?"

1explained to my friend, "I just mean your girl-friend is very young and beautiful."

At the jewelry store, they had several very nicenecklaces Oil hmul. I suggested that we take ourtime and look at several stores, but my friendfound a diamond neckJace that was a steal. Hecalled the saleswoman over to buy it.

.-\5 the saleswoman was taking out thenecklace, my friend decided to tryolttthenew idiom he learned. He showed thesaleswoman the picture of his girlfriendand asked, "Don't you think she is a chick-en noodle?"

~fy friend's English may not be perfect,but I still think highly ofit.

31