Level 3 idioms – Unit 05

Conversation:

Anton:  Hey, Pete.  Guess what I did?   I took up skiing.  Why don’t you do the same?

Pete:  Are you out of your mind?  It’s too dangerous.  And besides, I don’t usually go in for cold-weather sports.  But that’s just me.  How do you like it?

Anton:  Let me tell you.  Once skiing gets in your blood, you’ll be hooked.

Pete:  You think so?  What’s it like?

Anton:  When I’m skiing down the slope, I feel like a million dollars.  Of course, I have to be on the ball and keep an eye out for snowboarders and other skiers.  Collisions can happen at the drop of a hat.  But mostly it’s fun.

Pete:  Well, I don’t know.

Anton:  Listen, if you take lessons, you’ll get the hang of it in no time.  Then you and I can ski together for the rest of the season.  How does that sound?

Pete:  Actually, I have a hunch I might get a kick out of it.  Okay, then.  I’ll do it.

Vocabulary:

slope:  a clear part of a mountain that slants down.
snowboarders:  people who use a board, not skis, to come down a mountain.
collisions:  running into someone or something.

Idioms:

take up                                                                      start doing (an activity) for the first time
out of one’s mind                                                crazy, irrational
go in for                                                                     enjoy doing (a sport, hobby)
get in one’s blood                                                 become something one wants to do all the time
be hooked (on something)                             need to do (something) all the time
feel like a million dollars                                 feel very good
on the ball                                                                 paying attention
keep an eye out (for someone/thing)       look (for someone/thing) while doing other things
at the drop of a hat                                              immediately and without a plan
get the hang of (something)                            learn how to do (something)
have a hunch                                                            think something may be true
get a kick out of (something)                         get great enjoyment from (something)

Notes:

Often people ask the question, “Guess what I did?” and then answer it immediately
with “I took up skiing” as a way of introducing a topic.

Get the hang of is future,  have (or have got) the hang of is present, and got the hang of is past.  Examples:   I want to get the hang of this new technology.  I have the hang of this new technology.  I got the hang of this new technology in only two days.

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© 2004 Ambien Malecot

 

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