Catching up with old friends

What do you understand by the term catching up? Would you ever attend a school reunion?

When asked Whats new? or Hows life treating you? How do you respond?

Which is the odd word out in the banner above, and why? TASK 1 Listen to the Business English Podcast. Henry and Darren used to work together and they havent seen each other for a while. They meet up to catch up on life and work. As you listen to the conversation make a note of the good and bad news that Darren mentions.

Good news Bad news

What idioms were used in each case? TASK 2 Here are some of the idioms used in the dialogue. Use the correct one to replace the words in brackets. cost an arm and a leg at the end of the day chickens came home to roost over the moon call it a day the beginning of the end one last hurrah start a new chapter had a good innings run out of steam

1. I was more than ready to (finish work for today), Im glad you looked me up. 2. My mums holding up alright but (after considering everything) it was kind of a good thing. 3. He was suffering pretty badly (negative results from bad habits) is how he explained it. 4. But he (had a long good life) right? I remember him as a happy fellow. 5. Beth and I have some good news, were about to (begin a new life change). 6. Congratulations! Thats exciting news, Janet will be (extremely happy). 7. Welcome to (the point where things become worse), say goodbye to your freedom! 8. Janets busy as always but I think shes finally (lost interest and energy) on all the renovations. 9. Thank god for that it (was very expensive)! 10. Shes in Europe now, says she wants (one final celebration) before she starts university. TASK 3 Complete these idioms with the correct noun.

curtains bud coffin plug towel life light a new lease of _________ give us the green _________ throw in the _________ its _________ for you pull the _______ on something nip something in the _______ final nail in the ________

Using an appropriate idiom, what could you say in the following situations? Dave has had a good long career and is about to retire. At 6pm the office staff finishes work and head home to their families. Rachel has given up her job to start a new business venture. My presentation was going great until I lost energy and had to take a break. Head office has finally agreed to start renovation work in the canteen. Id like to go back to school but beginning something is difficult. Employees were really upset to hear that their former manager had died. There is a lot of nasty gossip going around that needs to stop before it gets out of hand. TASK 3 Role play. Imagine you are meeting an old friend that you havent seen in a while. (Try to use the idioms from the previous tasks.) 1. Ask about their family and relate the news of your recent relocation.

YOU Good news: You moved house last year. Bad news: Some valuable antiques were damaged in the move.

YOUR FRIEND

Good news: You went on a dream vacation last summer. Bad news: It was cut short due to a relative becoming ill.

2. Ask about their family and relate the news of your sons career.

YOU Good news: Your son recently started a new job. Bad news: Your other son is currently still unemployed. YOUR FRIEND Good news: Your daughter got married recently. Bad news: It was very expensive and you are still in debt.