on campus

C H A P T E R l

O N C A M P U S

(Scene: The campus cafeteria. Miyako, a Japanese student, has just come from her first sociology class, and she speaks with her American friend, Barbara).

Barbara: So Miyako, how did your first class in sociology turn out?

Miyako: My teacher seems to be very brilliant, but I wish that she would speak more slowly. I do not
understand everything she says.

Barbara: I bet it's tough, but stick with it. Look, Miyako, you're my friend. If I can, I'd be happy to give you a
hand if you get bogged down.

Miyako: You are very kind. Barbara, may I tell you an observation ? I am surprised with how American students
behave in class. Many speak rudely to their teachers.

Barbara: For instance?

Miyako: Many seem to talk back to their teachers or question the teachers' statements. They do not seem to
have respect for their teachers.

Barbara: Teachers and students here have an informal relationship. We're told to question everything, every
authority. Don't let it bug you.

Miyako: I hope that I will be able to understand this textbook. There are so many new words and ideas in
sociology.

Barbara: If you're not certain about some words, check them out with me. You'll handle it! How many courses
are you taking?

Miyako: Only three - Sociology, American Literature One, and Introduction to Speech.

Barbara: That's not bad. Whatever you do, don't take another. You don't want to get in over your head!

Miyako: Are you worried about any of your courses?

Barbara: Not really. I'm only taking two courses this semester. With work and my young child, I don't want to
bite off more than I can chew.

Miyako: I think that I will go home and start to read the first chapter in this book.

Barbara:Slow down! You've got to let up a little. Let's have a bite to eat; then, we can go to the bookstore.
They've gotten in a new line of warm-up suits. I could use a new one.

Miyako: No, I would prefer to go home and study.

Barbara: Okay, we'll skip it for now. Again, if anything's bugging you, just give me a buzz.
You have my phone number.

Miyako: I will. Thank you, Barbara.

Barbara: I'll see you tomorrow.

EXERCISES:

Exercise l:Select the meaning of the following idioms most appropriate to the above dialogue.
An answer key is at the end of the chapter.

l. Turn out: (a) reverse, (b) develop, (c) leave abruptly

2. Stick with it: (a) enforce one's will, (b) be loyal, (c) persevere or continue

3. Give a hand: (a) inform , (b) look out for, (c) assist

4. Bogged down: (a) slowed down and unable to progress, (b) stuck in mud, (c) bent over from
carrying a heavy load.

5. For instance: (a) for a moment, (b) for example, (c) for a second

6. Bug you: (a) develop an itch, (b) develop an infection, (c) be annoyed

7. Check (it,them) out: (a) to verify, (b) to borrow, (c) to add up several times

8. Over one's head: (a) beneath one's vision, (b) above one's reach, (c) beyond one's
understanding

9. Bite off more than one can chew: (a) to be unable to speak, (b) to undertake more than one
is capable of, (c) to be filled to the point of choking

10. Slow down: (a) to reduce speed, (b) to come to a stop, (c) to refuse to take on more work

11. Let up: (a) act in moderation, (b) give up, (c) let go of responsibilities

12. Skip it: (a) to jump over something, (b) to pick an alternative, (c) to abandon an idea

13. Give a buzz: (a) telephone me, (b) confide in me, (c) ask for help

Exercise 2:Fill in the correct idiom from the above list. An answer key is at the end of this chapter.

1. Mary was demanding too much of her husband. She should ___________ on him.

2. Jose was very insistant in asking Maria out on a date. He called her several times each night. She got
tired of his ____________ her.

3. Hilda wondered how her research on welfare children would _______________.

4. Bill would not change the topic of his paper. He was determined to ________________ no matter
how much work it demanded.

5. Geraldo was thinking about Delores all week. He decided he would___________________ on
Saturday night.

6. Miguel often finds that he takes on too many assignments. He need to _____________ and enjoy his life.

7. Dai could not believe the results of his calculations. He wanted to ____________________on another
computer.

8. Henry didn't think he would ever be addicted to gambling. He just started betting on football games. Soon
he got in______________________ and owed a large amount of money.

9. Charles was very confused by the directions to build the snowblower. He was wondering if Greg, his
neighbor, could _______________________________ with the assembly.

10. Jim was going to tell the professor what he really thought of her. Then, upon reflection, he decided to
________________.

11. By the end of the week the contract negotations between labor and management had
__________________.

12. I am continually taking on more work than I can complete. You would think that I would have learned not to
_____________________________.

13. I'm a compulsive shopper. _____________, I have a magazine every time I pass the bookstore.

Exercise 3:Use the following idioms in a spoken sentence of your own creation.

1. Turn out: _____________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

2. Stick with it: __________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

3. Give a hand: ___________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

4. Bogged down: _________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

5. For instance: ___________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

6. Bug you: ______________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

7. Check (it,them) out:______________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

8. Over one's head: _______________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

9. Bite off more than one can chew:__________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

10. Slow down: __________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

11. Let up: _____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

12. Skip it: _____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

13. Give a buzz: _________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Exercise 4: Examine the previous sentences and decide which of them would be more suitable for formal written expression through the use of synonyms. Rewrite those sentences using precise, appropriate synonyms.

Answers to exercise l: l (b), 2 (c), 3 (c), 4 (a), 5 (b), 6 (c), 7 (a), 8 (c), 9 (b), 10 (a), 11 (a), 12 (c), 13 (a).

Answers to exercise 2:
        1. let up                                            8. over his head
        2. bugging                                       9. give him a hand
        3. turn out                                      10. skip it
        4. stick with it                                11. bogged down
        5. give her a buzz                         12. bite off more than I can chew
        6. slow down                                 13. For instance
        7. check them out