Idiomatic expressions

to be very much into smth

to be in two minds

to be up to one’s eyes in work

to follow in smb’s footsteps

to get itchy feet

to get off to a bad start

to give smb a hard time

to go to the wall

to have half a mind to do smth

to hit the pay-dirt

to hit the wrong buttons

to keep one’s head above water

to make one’s way in the world

to pull one’s socks up

to refuse point-blank

to sell like hot cakes

to shine a positive light on smth

to start from scratch

to talk shop

to think on one’s feet

It’s not the end of the world

That’s the last straw!

The world is my oyster.

Unit 2. Career prospects for language students

2.1. Listening Development

Assignment 1. Listen to the recording to Unit 2. David Evans, an epert in Business English answers Carmela’s questions on how to introduce new people to the work place. Answer the questions.

1. What happens if a new comer isn’t properly introduced?

2. How much information should a new comer be given?

3. What is important to remember while showing a new staff member around on their first day?

4. What reduces the monotony of numerous introductions on the first day?

Jot down the words and expressions, which the speakers define and exemplify in short dialoguse. Find the Russian equivalents.

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2.2. Vocabulary Enrichment

Assignment 1. Complete each sentence by using a word from the box.

business job living work profession post trade career occupation vocation position

1. Agricultural work is traditionally seen as a male __________.

2. He had a distinguished __________ as a journalist.

3. He makes a good __________ as a builder.

4. He was a consultant physician by __________.

5. He’s desperate to pursue his __________ as an artist.

6. He’s just landed himself a highly-paid __________ in the City.

7. How long were you in your previous __________?

8. It doesn’t require skill – it’s a matter of sheer hard __________.

9. She applied for the new __________ of training officer.

10. She’s a carpenter by __________.

11. What __________ are you in?

Assignment 2. Give synonyms to the following (consult the Active Vocabulary section).

1. to be jobless

2. to take on

3. to achieve

4. pay

5. to manage

6. to dismiss

Assignment 3. Complete the chart.

NOUNS	VERBS
1.employment 2. 3. 4.offer 5. 6. 7.choice 8. 9.rise/raise 10.	dismiss retire promote achieve manage resign

Assignment 4. Fill in the blanks. The first letter of each missing word is given.

There is a lot of (1) u................ nowadays so it is getting more and more difficult to get the kind of (2) j................ you really want. Then you have to decide what is more important to you - how much you (3) e................ or job satisfaction? Do you want to work with your hands (called (4) m................ work) or do you prefer to work in an office (called clerical work)? Do you prefer to work indoors or (5) o................ ? Whatever you decide, when you are thinking about a career, or applying for a job, you will find the following vocabulary useful:

Assignment 5. Give the opposite to the following:

1. to work on flexi-time

2. to be dismissed

3. full-time

4. tough

5. frustrating

6. white-collar

7. routine

8. low-status

9. competitive

10. challenging

11. badly-paid

12. boring

13. manual

14. high-status

15. part-time

16. 9-to-5

17. temporary

18. backbreaking

19. demanding

20. rewarding

Assignment 6. Fill the gaps with an appropriate word from the list.