Easy American Idioms: Lesson 1

 
Lesson 1  My Toe Is Killing Me!
 

Doctor: Sorry you waited so long, Paul; I’ve been tied up all afternoon.What seems to be the problem this time?
Paul: Doc,my toe’s killingme. I think it’s broken.
Doctor: Hmm. . . Let’s have a look.Oh, yeah, that’s a beauty.
You really did a number on that toe.How’d it happen?
Paul: I was helpingmy brothermove. I dropped a desk on my foot.
Doctor: Well, that’s a surefire way to break some bones. Paul,didn’t I see you last year for some sprained fingers?
Paul: Yeah . . . I was trying to fix the toilet and got my hand stuck. I yanked it out, and hurt myself. I’mstill trying to live that one down.
Doctor: Well,Mr. Fix-it, you’ve really outdone yourself this time.
You won’t be walking with this foot for eight weeks.
Paul: That’s impossible! I have a camping trip scheduled for six weeks fromnow. Can’t it be healed by then?
Doctor: That’s a tall order, Paul . . . But I suppose it’s not out of the question.With a lot of rest now . . . and intensive physical therapy, you just may be back in the saddle
again in six weeks. But the therapy requires a lot of work, and time . . . and specifically, following the doctor’s orders . . . Can you handle that?
Paul: Piece of cake!
Doctor: But listen, even if you are walking by then, you’ve got to take it easy during the trip.No climbing trees or jumping across streams or anything. You really need to baby this leg for a while!
Paul: Sure thing.
Doctor: Well, Paul . . . let’s get you bandaged up.We’ll have you hobbling out of here in no time.Now . . . I want you to keep an eye on the swelling in the rest of the leg and
foot. And get in touch with Dr. Phillips . . . She’s the physical therapist.
Paul: Okay,Doc. Should I drop by here another day?
Doctor: Yes.We’re going to want to follow up on this in about two weeks.
Paul: I’ll schedule an appointment with the receptionist.
Thanks. Bye,Doc.
Doctor: You’re welcome. And Paul, take it easy,would you?
Paul: Yes, I will. I promise.
 

1. To be tied up with something or someone. To be busy.
2. To be killing someone. To be very painful.
3. A beauty. A very good or vivid example of something; in this
case, a really good example of a bad injury.
4. To do a number on something. To damage, destroy, or hurt
something badly.
5. A surefire way to do something. A way that will definitely have a
certain outcome or result.
6. To live something down. To be allowed to forget about an
embarrassing situation. This is used in the negative—to never
or not live something down. A common way you’ll hear this
expression is the phrase “I’ll never live this down!”
7. To outdo yourself. To do something very well. To do better than
you normally do.Note that this expression is often used in a
sarcastic way.
8. A tall order. An unusually difficult request.
9. To be out of the question. To be impossible to accomplish.
10. To be back in the saddle. To return to your normal activities,
especially after an illness or injury. To be back in control of your
normal activities.
11. To handle something. To cope with ormanage a situation.
12. To be a piece of cake. To be very easy.
13. To take it easy. To do things slowly and carefully,without tiring
yourself.
14. To baby someone or something. To treat very carefully and with
great sensitivity.
15. To keep an eye on. To watch carefully.
16. To get in touch with. To contact, to talk to someone.
17. To drop by. To visit someone.
18. To follow up on something. To address or check on a situation
later.





Source: Easy American Idioms