Lesson 5 IDIOMS?英文釋義

I'm afraid

→?I'm sorry to say (usually said before giving somebody bad news)

Example:?I'm afraid?I'm not going to be able to make it to your house for dinner on Friday night.

Example: "Can you attend the conference?" - "I'm afraid?not."

(to) cost a small fortune

→?to be very expensive

Example: We tried to do it as cheaply as possible, but remodeling our kitchen ending up?costing a small fortune.

(to) back out

→?to cancel a plan; to refuse to do something already agreed to

Example: You said you'd host the group of 10 visiting dancers from Russia. Don't try to?back out?now.

at the eleventh hour

→?at the last minute; right before an activity is to happen

Example: I'm sorry to cancel?at the eleventh hour, but I'm not going to be able to drop you off at the airport this afternoon.

something came up

→?an unexpected activity or obligation has arisen (often used when you need to cancel another plan and you don't want to say exactly why)

Example: I know I promised to take you to San Francisco next weekend, but?something came up.

(to) get out of it

→?to free oneself from an obligation or activity

Example: What do you mean you can't take me to the movies tonight? You promised me a week ago you'd take me. Don't try to?get out of it!

in bad shape

→?not doing well, either physically or mentally

Example: Kevin was?in bad shape?after the car accident.

Example: After her dog died, Heidi was?in bad shape.

(to) make it up to you

→?to do something nice for you (said when you have to cancel an arrangement and want to offer to make the same or similar arrangement in the future)

Example: Sorry I have to cancel our trip to London, but let me?make it up to you. I'll take you to New

York next weekend.

how about

→?what if; let me

Example: I don't like the ballet.?How about?we go to the opera instead?

(to) treat someone to (dinner, lunch, drinks, etc.)

→?to take somebody to a meal, etc., at one's own expense

Example: I'd like to?treat you to dinner?on Saturday.

PO'ed

→?angry; annoyed

Example: When Amanda found out that her boyfriend Tyler had invited Megan to the school dance, she was really?PO'ed.

Note:?This slang term is short for "pissed off" and is considered vulgar by some.

(to) take someone up on an offer

→?to accept an offer

Example: You're willing to translate this report into Spanish? Okay, I'll?take you up on your offer.