Episode 232
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Hi! I’m Georgiana, your English teacher. Thank you for joining me for another episode.
Ok! Let's start!
Depending on the culture, people talk about money or get really uncomfortable when someone brings up this subject. However, everybody needs money nowadays, so today, we will learn expressions about money because "money makes the world go round."
When something "makes the world go round," it is extremely important. But not only money makes the world go round; love also makes the world go round. However, love without money can get really complicated sometimes.
Anyway, I'm digressing. Today, I'd like you to learn some English expressions about money.
Let’s start!
#1. Bring Home the Bacon
You may be thinking I'm hungry. But although this expression may seem unusual, we use it to talk about money.
It means earning money so that a family can get by.
Example:
"I have to work day and night to support my family. Someone's got to bring home the bacon."
#2. Time is Money
We use this expression to emphasize that you should use your time wisely because you could use it to earn money.
Example:
"I've been waiting for the delivery guy all day, but I can't sit around any longer. Time is money."
#3. Break the Bank
There is no need to break anything. We use this expression to say that something costs too much money.
Example:
“That coat is way too expensive. It will break the bank!”
#4. Quick Buck (Fast Buck)
These expressions refer to money earned easily or quickly and, on some occasions, may indicate that someone wants to earn money dishonestly.
Example:
“You can make a quick buck by selling your coin collection.”
#5. Bread and Butter
While bread and butter are delicious, we use this expression to indicate someone who depends on their job for a living.
Example:
“I'm sorry I can't go shopping with you tomorrow. I can't miss work again, or I'll get fired, remember, it's my bread and butter!”
#6. Money Talks
Obviously, this expression cannot be taken at face value. But it's pretty funny.
We use it to talk about wealthy people that can get whatever they want because they have money.
Example:
"I was convinced that I had a high chance of being elected. However, my opponent has much more money than I do, and, as they say, money talks."
#7. Born with a Silver Spoon in your Mouth
This expression means to be born to a wealthy family. Therefore, people born with a silver spoon in their mouths get everything they want.
Example:
“My friend's parents always gave her everything she ever wanted. She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. “
Now, let’s practice.
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GRAMMAR MADE EASY
POV Story: Grammar in Context
Read the same story in two different points of view and notice how the grammar changes naturally.
Past Tense - Third Person
Francis was a refined and wealthy guy. Well, we can say he was BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN HIS MOUTH. His whole family members were bankers. Therefore, he didn't need to work, in other words, to BRING HOME THE BACON.
Francis was so rich that he could buy anything without BREAKING THE BANK. And, of course, he didn't depend upon a job being his BREAD AND BUTTER either.
One day he bought a five-star hotel simply because he didn't like the name. The hotel was called "The elegant hotel," and he changed it to "Elegant Hotel."
Furthermore, he enjoyed smoking the best Cuban cigars, and he used to light them with hundred-dollar bills. Francis was a very eccentric guy.
To top it off, he was also fortunate. He had won the lottery several times. That was a QUICK BUCK. Well, he bought all the lottery numbers to ensure he won.
One day, out of boredom, Francis went out into the street and started wandering. He noticed that several small stores had closed. Francis asked why that happened to someone in a store. "The crisis. The banks won't give us credit, and we can't go on like this," he replied.
Then, Francis decided that his banks should start giving loans at 0 percent interest to all small businesses and stores that needed it. With that decision, thousands of small businesses could survive until the crisis's end.
We can say MONEY TALKS, but this time, for a good cause.
Francis's Point of View
Hi! I'm Francis. People say I'm a refined and wealthy guy. Well, they actually say I was BORN WITH A SILVER SPOON IN MY MOUTH. My whole family members are bankers. Therefore, I don't need to work; in other words, I don't need to BRING HOME THE BACON.
I am so rich that I could buy anything without BREAKING THE BANK. And, of course, I don't depend upon a job being my BREAD AND BUTTER either.
I just bought a five-star hotel simply because I didn't like the name. The hotel was called "The elegant hotel," and I changed it to "Elegant Hotel."
Furthermore, I enjoy smoking the best Cuban cigars and lighting them with hundred-dollar bills. As you can see, I'm a very eccentric guy.
To top it off, I am also fortunate. Last year I won the lottery several times. That was a QUICK BUCK. Well, I bought all the lottery numbers to ensure I won.
One day, out of boredom, I went out into the street and started wandering. I saw that several small stores had closed. I asked why that happened to someone in a store. "The crisis. The banks won't give us credit, and we can't go on like this," he replied.
So I decided that our banks should start giving loans at 0 percent interest to all small businesses and stores that need it. With that decision, thousands of small businesses could survive until the crisis's end.
We can say MONEY TALKS, but this time, for a good cause.
Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode.
Review
Vocabulary
Review the most useful words and expressions before listening again.
bring home the bacon
earn money to support yourself or your family.
time is money
time is valuable and should be used wisely.
break the bank
cost more money than someone can afford.
quick buck
money earned quickly and easily.
bread and butter
a person’s main source of income.
money talks
wealth gives people influence or power.
born with a silver spoon
born into a wealthy family.
face value
the obvious or literal meaning of something.
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