Idioms & Expressions:
black out (a verb that means to go unconscious)
He blacked out after he hit his head.
black and blue (the color of bruised skin after an injury)
After he got beaten up, he was black and blue.
beet red (an adjective describing the color of someone’s face when they’re embarrassed)
My face turned beet red when I realized my parents overheard my phone call.
caught red-handed (a verb that means someone is caught in the act of doing something)
They caught the thief red-handed.
golden opportunity (a noun that refers to the most opportune time to accomplish something)
The team has possession of the ball and a golden opportunity to score.
green light (a noun that refers to the approval to proceed)
We got the green light for our project.
red tape (a noun that refers to time-consuming diplomatic or bureaucratic tasks that must be accomplished)
There’s a lot of red tape to take care of before you can get a visa.
true colors (a noun that refers to someone true nature/who they really are, as opposed to who they pretend to be)
After I knew him for a while, I saw his true colors.
white lie (a noun for a small lie that you don’t think will cause much harm)
I told a little white lie to my parents
sweet tooth (noun that describes someone’s appetite for sugary foods or desserts)
I have a sweet tooth, so I always order dessert.
sugar rush (noun that refers to feeling hyper and energetic after eating a lot of sugar)
I got a sugar rush from the brownies that were served at the party.
splurge (verb that means to spend a lot of money on something/a few things)
I splurged on a TV and Xbox when I got my paycheck.
the best things in life are free (an expression that means that simple pleasures can be better than things you pay for)
set for life (an expression that means you have enough money to never have to work again)
After he starred in a few movies, he was set for life.
come into some money (verb, this expression means to gain money without working for it)
When my grandparents died, they left me an inheritance and I came into some money.
thrifty (an adjective that means you are careful with money, and don’t spend too much)
budget (both a noun and a verb, has to do with the planning and allocation of money)
I’m very thrifty with my money, and budget well.
Part I: Class Discussion
Colors
What is your favorite color?
I like blue and gray. When they’re combined, I think that’s the prettiest shade. The color of the beach during the winter is the only thing I can think of in real life that is my favorite color.
Is color important to you?
I think color has some psychological effects. Colors can provoke feelings such as hunger or aggression. There’s a reason there’s a lot of marketing done into what colors to make certain products.
Will you buy something in a color that you don’t like?
Not that I’m consciously aware of, but I’m sure that’s happened before. I’m sure I’ve not purchased something just because I didn’t like the color it came in.
Chocolate
Do you like chocolate?
Of course. I think I have a chocolate cookie or a chocolate bar at least once a day. I like to eat something with sugar and carbohydrates in it before I work out.
Does chocolate make a good gift?
Yes, I love to receive chocolate as a gift. There is a chocolate company called Lindt, based in Switzerland, that makes amazing chocolate truffles, and my grandparents would always give us some of them as a gift when we were little kids.
Part II: Individual Presentations
Describe something you do that costs you a lot of money. You should say:
- what it is
- who do you usually do it with
- how expensive it is
And explain why you do it
I’m not really an extravagant spender, but I do have a habit of going to the café and drinking coffee at least once per day. I know this is expensive in the long run, I think I’m addicted to caffeine, and I can’t think of a better way to relax than with a cup of coffee (or two). At this café called Joma, the coffee is 50,000 VND (it comes with one free refill, so technically each cup can cost as little as 25,000 VND) but if you go every day, like I do, it definitely becomes an unnecessary expense over time.
Part III: Class Discussion
Why do people sometimes like to do expensive activities?
Well, some expensive things are really fun to do. You can get a true adrenaline rush from doing certain things. For example, going skydiving is a crazy experience, but it’s not cheap. You have to pay a lot of money because it’s a specialized activity that requires expensive equipment.
What kinds of expensive things do people usually buy in your country?
America’s elite spend a lot of money on large houses, sports cars, and designer clothing. They also take swanky vacations. Some people will have extravagances in their homes like caged tigers or something ridiculous like that.
Are expensive things always better than cheap ones?
Definitely not. Some cars, for example, are not any better than a cheaper one. A Mercedes car’s engine is very similar to a cheaper car, like a Toyota. You pay a lot for the Mercedes logo as a status symbol, though.
Do you think men and women like the same kind of expensive stuff?
Generally, they do. People like to look good and do things that make them feel good. The only difference is in the specific products people buy to achieve these feelings.
What problems are there when a person suddenly gets rich?
Some people find that there life is boring, because most of their struggles have disappeared. I personally think that life is better with a little bit of struggle and discomfort, because it makes the good times better by comparison.
