Catching Up at a Reunion With English Idioms in Context

Catching Up at a Reunion With English Idioms in Context Here is a dialogue with two friends who meet at their 20th high school reunion. Try reading the dialogue one time to understand the gist without using the idiom definitions. On your second reading, use the definitions to help you understand the text while learning new idioms. Catching Up at a Reunion Doug and Alan are old friends. In fact, they went to high school together twenty years ago. Its been a long time since theyve seen each other. Todays their high school reunion - their twentieth! They meet each other and catch up on what theyve been doing these past twenty years. Doug: ALAN!!!! Its so good to see you again! How long has it been? Twenty years!Alan: Long time no see, buddy. Im so glad I came to the reunion. I had the feeling you would be here. Doug: I wouldnt miss it for the world. Wow, youre dressed to kill.  Alan: Its not every day that we have our twentieth reunion.   Doug: Youve got a point there. Why dont we have a seat and catch up? Im sure youve got plenty of stories.Alan: Im sure you do, too. Lets booze it up a little and exchange stories. Doug: Still drinking, huh?  Alan: Whats thats supposed to mean? Doug: Im just yanking your chain. Of course, were going to drink to celebrate. In fact, I play on having both sheets in the wind by the end of the evening.Alan: Thats my buddy. What are you drinking? Doug: Whisky sour, you?Alan: Im just working on a beer. Doug: So what do you do to bring home the bacon?Alan:   Oh, thats a long story. Its not been so easy, but were getting by. Doug: Really? Im sorry to hear that.Alan: Yeah, well, I, unfortunately, flunked out of college, so I had to take what I could get. Doug: Im sorry to hear that. What happened?  Alan: I just didnt think it was worth the time, so I let my studies slide. Now, I really regret it. Doug: But you look pretty good! Im sure youre doing OK.Alan: Well, I had to find a new goal. I got into sales, and have done quite well. Doug: Im glad to hear everything has worked out for the best.Alan: It hasnt been the best case scenario, but not the worst case scenario either. Doug: Its funny how things go.Alan: Yes, sometimes its best to face the music and make the best of it.   Doug: Yes.Alan: So, enough about me. What about you? Are you among the movers and shakers? Doug: Well, I have to admit, Ive done well.  Alan: Im not surprised. You always had a good head for figures. You went into business, right? Doug: Yes, it was that obvious, wasnt it?Alan: You were kind of a nerd. Doug: Hey, I was not. I was also good in tennis.Alan: I know. Im just pushing your buttons. You were always worried about being called a nerd. Doug: Its been great seeing you again.Alan: You, too Doug. I wish you all the best.   Idioms Used in the Dialogue have a whale of a time to enjoy yourself, have a good timecatch up to see an old friend and discuss lifeboth sheets in the wind very drunkjust what the doctor ordered exactly what someone needs to dodressed to kill wearing very nice clothingbooze it up to drink a lot of alcohol  yank someones chain to joke around with someone, kid someonepush someones buttons to talk about something that you know upsets someonemovers and shakers successful people, the elitebring home the bacon to make money for the familyflunk out to fail classes and have to leave school or collegelong time no see we havent seen each other in a long time!best case scenario the best possible outcome for a situationworst case scenario the worst possible outcome for a situationface the music to accept responsibility for somethinghave a good head for figures to be good at business Its important to learn and use idioms in context. Of course, idioms are not always easy to understand. There are idiom and expression resources that can help with definitions, but reading them in short stories can also provide context that make them come more alive.