Level 3 idioms – Unit 02

Conversation:

Gary: My computer crashed, and all my work went down the drain.

Victor: Join the club. It’s happened to me many times. Did you call an expert? There’s bound to be someone who can help you.

Gary: As a matter of fact, I tried to find someone, but real experts are few and far between.

Victor: Well maybe my roommate can help. He’s an old hand at computers. I’ll give him a call.

Gary: That would be nice. Make a point of telling him my computer’s a Mac.

Victor: That’s not a problem. He’s got a Mac too.

Gary: Also, I don’t want him to think I’m trying to take advantage of him, so it goes without saying that I’ll pay for his time. For the time being, I think I’ll call it a day.

Victor: Okay, and I’ll see to it that my roommate calls you soon.

Vocabulary:

crashed: broke down
expert: someone who knows a lot about computer
Mac: an Apple computer

Idioms:

• go down the drain be a wasted effort
• join the club I and several others have had that experience
• bound to certain to
• as a matter of fact actually, in reality
• few and far between infrequent, uncommon
• an old hand (at) very experienced (at)
• make a point of (something) emphasize (something)
• take advantage of use while (someone/thing) is available
• it goes without saying it is obvious
• for the time being for the present
• call it a day stop working for the day
• see to do the necessary work

Notes:

Take advantage of, when followed by a person, is a negative idea, meaning that you get something from the person and don’t give equally in return. Example: I took advantage of Paul and bought his guitar for only twenty dollars. When followed by an object, however, it’s a positive idea. Example: We’re going to take advantage of the sale and get two for the price of one.