in the city

C H A P T E R 6

I N T H E C I T Y

(Scene: Rosa, a young student from Colombia, is walking through the art district in a large city. She is accompanied by Helen, her American friend).

Rosa: I don't believe I'm here. I've dreamed for years of visiting the galleries down here in the city.

Helen: I don't know how many galleries we will visit today. Let's play it by ear.

Rosa: This is so exciting. But let me tell you, I'm a little nervous. When I told my parents where
we were going, they were upset. The city frightens them.

Helen: I follow you. Look, not to worry. I come down here nearly every Saturday and I've never
had trouble. Some Saturdays I just hang out in the park down here, listen to musicians, and
veg out.

Rosa: Oh, Helen, look at the beautiful jewelry in this window!

Helen: Rosa, it's to die for!

Rosa: Some of the people who are walking around here look strange.

Helen: Pay them no mind. Don't look like a tourist and stare at the tall buildings!

Rosa: Sometimes it's difficult not to stare. There are so many awesome sights.

Helen: The city can be great fun if you use your head. There are places where you can walk
around and other places you must avoid. It all depends on the time and place. I wouldn't be
caught dead in some areas!

Rosa: How does one know what streets are safe and when?

Helen: You get a feel for it. It doesn't happen overnight. Stay with the crowds, and stay with
someone who knows, like me. Also, look beat.

Rosa: Beat?

Helen: Bored, uninterested, like you know-it-all and the appeal has worn off. Keep on your toes.

Rosa: Helen, there are galleries in these old warehouses!

Helen: Many galleries are now in these old warehouses-some of the finest art galleries in the city.
But the rents are out of sight! Let's try this one.

Rosa: These paintings are very unusual. I've never seen anything like them! Are they good?

Helen: They're by a hot new artist. He's been written up in all the papers.

Rosa: Am I reading these prices correctly?

Helen: You are. But remember, if this artist becomes famous, these prices will be a bargain.
Some people have the money to speculate on a virtual unknown. It's a real crap shoot!

Rosa: Some of these paintings are ugly. I wouldn't want this one hanging in my room.

Helen: It certainly would be a conversation piece! Rosa, would you like to get a bite. I'm
famished!

Rosa: Suddenly, I am also. Are the prices for food as expensive as the painting?

Helen: Not Nearly! I know a little place on Prince Street. It's got atmosphere, and you never
know who you'll see.

Rosa: Lead on!

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.

1. Play it by ear: (a) not to use one's hands, (b) not to prepare or to be open to a situation, (c) to
act emotionally

2. Follow ...: (a) to understand, (b) to be angry, (c) to be insulted

3. Not to worry: (a) not to have patience, (b) not to disagree, (c) not to have concern

4. Hang out: (a) to dangle, (b) to spend time with people or at a location, (c) to suspend

5. Veg out: (a) to relax and avoid difficult thinking, (b) to become a vegetarian, (c) to dislike
vegetables

6. To die for: (a) to pass away, (b) to lose interest, (c) to intensely desire or crave something

7. Pay no mind: (a) not to give one's attention, (b) to act without thinking, (c) to spend money
without thinking

8. To use one's head: (a) to act physically, (b) to act with thoughtful planning or deliberation, (c)
to act willfully

9. To be caught dead: (a) to be discovered in a embarrassing location or wearing tasteless
clothes, (b) to be discovered after death, (c) to be shameless

10. To get a feel: (a) to develop sensations, (b) to be touched, (c) to develop an understanding of
something

11. Know-it-all: (pejorative) (a) to arrogantly display one's expertise, (b) to be intelligent, (c) to
know a little about many things

12. Keep on one's toes: (a) to dance ballet, (b) to movely quietly, (c) to remain active, especially
when under supervision

13. Out of sight: (economic) (a) not visible, (b) mispriced, (c) extemely expensive

14. Let's try something: (a) experience something new, (b) to attempt a futile action, (c) to act
thoughtlessly

15. Write up: (a) to mark with corrections, (b) to be described or reviewed in writing, (c) to
write something down

16. Virtual unknown: (a) barely known by the public, (b) virtually known by everyone, (c)
unknowable

17. Crap shoot: (a) a game, (b) an act of chance, (c) a type of hunting activity

18. Get a bite: (a) to be bitten, (b) to bite someone, (c) to have something to eat

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

1. Merlin's magic show has been ______________ in several prominent newspapers.

2. It's very difficult to know what to expect when we arrive in Paris. I suggest that we ____
_________________ .

3. Jan hasn't had anything to eat since breakfast. It's nearly 4 p.m. He has to ___________
before he starves!

4.The inspectors are coming around to all the work stations this afternoon. I strongly suggest
that you ________________ until they leave.

5. Concerning that strange sound my car is making, Tory told me _______________. He said it
was just a loose screw.

6. Dylan loves to lounge around in his living room and ___________with his friends.
They can spend hours telling old war stories.

7. I wouldn't invest a penny in that venture. It's highly unlikely that you'll make any money. The
whole scheme is a real __________________.

8. Could you explain that part again. I am having difficulty in __________________.

9. The team owners want to save money so they are hiring ____________________to play for
them.

10. Henri has been studying calculus for three days. He needs to get away from his books and
______________.

11. Frank thinks he is an expert in Egyptian art, but I dislike his pompous attitude. He's a real
_________________.

12. Always open to new experiences, Marline told me, "________________that new restaurant
on Greene Street. They serve fried turkey."

13. Certainly I would love to live in Fair Oaks, but the prices of homes there
are___________________.

14. When Agnes tried on a dress today at the boutique, she exclaimed, "Oh, it's_____________!"

15. Some people will always criticize you. My recommendation is to _____________________."

16. When it comes to budgeting your money, you need to _______________________. Don't
spend money on impulse.

17. Allan dresses very thoughtfully for all occasions. He wouldn't be _____________wearing blue
jeans at work.

18. The city experience is unique. Although at first you may not enjoy the atmosphere, after a
while, you _________________for it.

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

1. Play it by ear:_____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

2. Follow (someone as to understand): ___________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

3. Not to worry: ____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

4. Hang out: _______________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

5. Veg out: ________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

6. To die for: _______________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

7. Pay them no mind: _________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

8. Use your head: ___________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

9. Caught dead: _____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

10. Get a feel: _______________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

11. Know-it-all:______________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

12. Keep on your toes: ________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

13. Out of sight: _____________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

14. Let's try...: ______________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

15. Written up:______________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

16. Virtual unknown: _________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

17. Crap shoot: ______________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

18. Get a bite: _______________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________

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: 1 (b), 2 (a), 3 (c), 4 (b), 5 (a), 6 (c), 7 (a), 8 (b), 9 (a), 10 (c), 11 (a), 12
(c), 13 (c), 14 (a), 15 (b), 16 (a), 17 (b), 18 (c).

Answers to exercise 2:
      l. written up                             10. veg out
    2. play it by ear                          11. know-it-all
    3. get a bite                               12. let's try
    4. keep on your toes                13. out of sight
    5. not to worry                           14. to die for
    6. hang out                                15. pay them no mind
    7. crap shoot                            16. use your head
    8. following you                        17. caught dead
    9. virtual unknown                    18. get a feel