Lesson 8 – Expressing dissatisfaction at work
Summary
The lesson was revolving around topic related to work complaints. I had opportunities to :
- talk about when you are unhappy or angry about something or someone at work
- practise using phrasal verbs to talk about work
- focus on idioms to describe when you are dissatisfied with something
- practise using intonation to express dissatisfaction.
“Why you are here? Wow, I can’t believe it.” It was my initial reaction when I saw brother Ming coming into the classroom. Although I had known that we are learning in BA, I was marvel at that moment – such a surprise for me – having to say that we get on with each another for almost 9 years? or even longer! …“Hey bro, you are worn out, aren’t you?” He was bleary-eyed and looking like lacking sleep night before. “What’s wrong with you? Are you alright, bro? Tell me about it.” Guess what? I didn’t ask him the questions. If I asked him, I might have had the answer like this – “You know the answer, don’t you?” So…Oh! Yeah…I did know how you feel. It had been mad in that day, right? Haha! Our workload goes up and up, hours in working get longer and longer and we’re just supposed to get on with it. Albeit, so what?! We deserve it because god knows we are worth for it…so… keep learning everyday, together!
(I cannot ensure if there is no any mistake on grammar for the previous short-text, but I believe you could understand, let me start to do my revision of the lesson below.)
Below context might get you to know what I have just learnt from the lesson.
A: “Hi, Peter, Are you on a break too?”
P: “Yeah, about time as well. I’m worn out. It‘s been mad this morning! What a life!“
A: “Tell me about it . This place gets worse!”
P: “I know. The things we have to put up with – it’s crazy, isn’t it? We need to bring this up at the next “GM meeting“. I have had enough of our boss!”
A: “Ya, I suppose we should do it! His behavior is absurd, isn’t it? I don’t know how he think (that) he can get away with it. Our workload goes up and up, hours in working get longer and longer and longer and we’re just supposed to get on with it. I am fed up with it!”
P:”That’s what I want to say – things have been going downhill since he took over. I’m not sure he knows what he’s doing half the time.“
A:”Hey, you have been working here for more than two decades, how come you don’t recognize that the managers always seem to be taken on from outside, never promoted from within. I don’t feel surprise on it. However, he’s let us down to be honest, because he promised to improve things when he first started.”
P:”Well, anyway, I suppose the money’s not bad, and there are a few perks, aren’t there? The transportation, pension, healthcare, and so on. And the people we work with are interesting too. I mean, we all get on well, don’t we?”
A:”Alright, you have got the point there. Oh no, is that the time? I’d better get back. I’ve got to hand in the report by 1800″
P:”So do I. I have got to catch up on my proposals. Okay, See you later!”
Now, let me list out the phrases:
- Worn out – tire or damage
- Put up with – live with, tolerant
- bring up – mention, talk about
- get away with – do something wrong and have no punishment
- get on with – continue doing / have a good relationship
- go up – increase
- take over – become the leader/ take responsibility
- take on – hire, employ
- let down – disappoint
- get back – return
- hand in – deliver, give to, submit
- catch up – reach the correct point after a delay
Actually, I am still not sure the usage of some phrases or “idioms”:
Question 1.
Are you on a break too?
“Yeah, about time as well.” = me too? =It’s about time to be on a break as well?
Question 2.
“…I’m not sure he knows what he’s doing half the time.” = sometimes?
Question 3.
“I suppose the money’s not bad” = “I think the money’s not bad?”
Question 4.
“is that the time?” ???
Question 5.
” I don’t know how he think (that) he can get away with it. ” – WHY the word “that” is omitted in the sentence?
Of coz, I need some more time to digest the context of the lesson before I could finish the notes of this lesson.
