Lesson Two -- Idioms at School

Are you all packed? 你行李收拾好了嗎?	Are you packed? It’s about time to set off.
Are you done? 你吃飽了嗎?	Are you done with your breakfast?
Are you kidding? 你在開玩笑吧?	We'll have a free lunch? Are you kidding?
you are telling me? 用你來告訴我嗎?	"He's such a pain to live with." You're telling me.
Are you with me? 你懂我的意思嗎?	So that's how the system works. Are you with me?
as a rule 通常來說	As a rule most students finish their coursework by the end of May.
as luck would have it 真走運或不走運	As luck would have it, my best friend is the most wonderful cook in the world.
as the saying goes 常言道	You can't judge a book by its cover, as the saying goes.
at first blush 乍看	His decision isn't as odd as it may seem at first blush.
at hand 近旁;在手旁	Don't worry. Help is at hand.
at issue 爭論中	At issue here the extent to which exam results reflects a student's ability.
at loose ends 無職業;不安定	He was at loose ends when their long-term relationship broke up.
at my expense 由我出錢	Her mansion was refurnished at my expense.
at odds 爭執	Briggs found himself at odds with his colleagues.
at one's finger's tips 了如指掌	Every fact and figure he needed was at his fingertips.
at one's service 隨時提供服務	My secretary is at your service.
at one's wit's end 不知所措	On hearing the breaking news, I was at my wit's end.
at stake 在危險中	They have to win the contract- thousands of jobs are at stake.
at the drop of a hat 馬上	Some of these corporations threaten to sue at the drop of a hat.
at times 有時;偶然	Sue is an annoying girl. However, at times, she is quite creative.
at your disposal 聽你的	Tanner is at your disposal dealing with that problem.

Rose and her brother John are getting ready to goon a trip to the New Jersey shore with their family. They are very excited about it!

John: Are you packed yet? Mom told us to be ready to leave first thing tomorrow morning.

Rose: Are you kidding? I’ve been packed for hours. I can’t wait!

John: Mom’s getting her travel bag ready to go in the front seat with her—you know how she likes to have things at her fingertips.

Rose: Well, I’m ready to leave at the drop of a hat. Every thing I need is at hand—suitcase, backpack for the car—I’m ready to go.

John: And let’s get on well together for the rest of the night. I think Mom would have a fit if we were at odds with one another and distracted her!

Rose: You’re right. There’s too much at stake for us to start acting like a couple of spoiled kids!

John: She’s already a little stressed out. At first blush, this trip seems like too much work to bother, but being at the ocean for a week sounds so good. It’s worth all the preparation!

Rose: Well, someday I will be rich, so I can hire Mom a maid—at my expense, of course.

Mom comes into the room, looking busy.

Mom: OK, kids, go out to the kitchen and grab some dinner. I have so much to do that I am at my wit’s end. As luck would have it, Dad thought to bring home take-out food. At times, that man is a huge help!

John: You’re telling me! I was worried about getting dinner. I’m hungry!

Mom: When you are done eating, I’d like you to help me with some work, Rose.

Rose: I’m at your service, Mom!

Mom: We have a lot to do around the house if we won’t be here for 10 days. You need to unplug the television, computer and DVD player for me. Are you with me, Rose?

Rose: Sure, but why?

Mom: My friend told me that it’s better to unplug those things if you’re going to be gone from the house for a while. Less chance of fires, I think she said. As the saying goes, better safe than sorry. As a rule, I like to follow the safety suggestions before leaving the house. That’s why it takes me so long to prepare.

John: Do you have any jobs for me, Mom? I’m at loose ends since I finished with my packing, so once I eat, I’m at your disposal.

Mom: I’m sure I’ll think of something.

John: At issue here, of course, is getting off on time tomorrow!

Mom: Don’t worry! We’ll make it. It’s just getting everything done on time that worries me.