Lesson 19 -- Nicole's Close Election
Speak English Like an American -- Lesson 19 Nicole loses the election at school. She doesn't want to accept it, so she looks for excuses. Ted encourages her to accept defeat and move on.
Nicole: I lost the election by a hair -- just 10 votes! But I'm not giving up. Ted: Give me a break, Nicole. You lost. Live with it! Nicole: But I was a sure thing! If I hadn't stayed up so late baking cookies, I wouldn't have messed up my speech. Ted: Get real, Nicole. Nicole: It's your fault, Ted. I lost because your friends didn't vote for me. Ted: Don't try to put the blame on me! I gave it my best shot. Nicole: They must've made a mistake while counting the votes. I'll demand a re-count on Monday and set the record straight. Ted: Don't make a fool of yourslef, Nicole. Face it, Andrea won the election fair and square! Nicole: Well, I just don't know where I went wrong. Susan: Here, take a chocolate chip cookie. That'll cheer you up for sure.
Idioms, By a hair – just barely; very narrowly; by a small amount Fair and square – honestly For sure – definitely (to) give it one’s best shot – to try as hard as one can (to) give up – to admit defeat; to surrender (to) go wrong – to make a mistake; to go astray; to malfunction; to work incorrectly (to) live with it – to accept a difficult reality (to) make a fool of oneself – to cause oneself to look stupid (to) mess up – to make a mistake; to spoil an opportunity (to) put the blame on (someone) – to name somebody else as responsible for a misdeed or misfortune (to) set the record straight – to correct an inaccurate account Sure thing – an outcome that is assured
|