Lesson 6 An arm and a leg(价钱太贵)

Dialogue

Diane: That car is in A-1 condition,but it would cost an arm and a leg.

Tina: I didn't konw you were in the market for another car.

Diane: I'm thinking about it, but for the time being,I'll use this jalopy.It'll do in a pinch.

Tina: I'm sure a new one will set you back 10 grand(一万美元). That ain't hay!

Vocabulary

A-1 adj.) excellent

set one back v.) cost

an arm and a leg n.) a large amount of money

in the market for adj.) wanting or ready to buy

for the time being adv.) at the present time

jalopy n.)old car usually in poor condition

in a pinch adv.) okay when nothing else is available

grand n.) $1,000

That ain't hay! That's a lot of money.

Lesson 7 A Nest Egg(积蓄)

Dialogue

Stan: He's always squawking about money.

Jim: If he had a nest egg, he wouldn't have to worry.

Stan: It's difficult to salt away money today.

Jim: That's true. And he tries to keep up with the Joneses.

Stan: Not really. He tries to save, but the family expenses are on his shoulders.That's why he's on pins and needles.

Jim: Why doesn't he play the lottery(彩票)?

Stan: Because he can bank on the fact that he's not going to make a killing that way.

Vocabulary

squawk about v.) complain about

nest egg n.) extra money saved

salt away v.) save, keep hidden until needed

keep up with the Joneses v.) try to equal your neighbors' lifestyle

on one's shoulders adj. or adv.) one's responsibility

on pins and needles adj.) nervous, excited

bank on v.)count on, be sure of

make a killing v.)gain a large amount of money at one time

good we should learn what we need indeed