Speak English Around Town
LESSON 13 - At a Dinner Party
AT A DINNER PARTY
Delayed by traffic, Lori and Mike arrive late to a dinner party. Their hosts, Lisa and Todd, tell them not to worry and then take their drink order.
Lori: I'm sorry we're late. We got held up in traffic on Route 95.
Mike: There was a pile-up on the highway involving three cars. A deer ran across the highway.
Lori: We were sitting in traffic for an hour. We would've been better off walking here!
Lisa: What a nightmare! Come on in and chill out now. Join the party!
Lori: (handing Lisa a bottle of wine): This is for you and Todd.
Lisa: Thank you.
Lori: (handing Lisa a toy car): And this is a little something for your son.
Lisa: Oh, how kind of you! You shouldn't have.
Lori: It's our pleasure.
Todd: Can I get you a drink?
Mike: A drink would hit the spot. What do you have?
Todd: You name it, we've got it.
Lori: I'll take a Bloody Mary.*
Mike: Lori, if you took Tylenol for your toothache, you'd be better off not drinking any alcohol!
Lori: Make that a virgin** Bloody Mary! Hold the vodka.
Todd: And what can I get you, Mike?
Mike: I'll take a vodka on the rocks.
Todd: Coming right up!
* Bloody Mary - a drink containing vodka, tomato juice, and usually other spices or flavorings
** A virgin drink is a mixed drink that does not include the alcohol.
Idioms
1. (to) chill out → to relax (especially after hard work or a bad experience)
Example: After taking three tests, I'm ready to just chill out.
Note: You can also just say "chill" without the "out."
2. coming right up → I'll bring that immediately
Example: One cup of coffee coming right up!
3. (to) get held up → to be delayed
Example: Sorry I'm late. I got held up in a meeting.
4. (to) hit the spot → to be just what one wants
Example: I was really hot. This iced tea really hits the spot!
5. hold the → do not put in the ______; to not include something that would normally be part of a drink or dish
Example: I'll take a cheeseburger, hold the onions.
6. Join the party! → mix with the other guests
Example: "Join the party!" said Gina as we walked in the door.
7. (a) little something → a small gift
Example: I got you a little something for your birthday.
8. on the rocks → with ice (when speaking of alcoholic drinks)
Example: Do you want your drink on the rocks?
9. pile-up → a traffic accident, usually involving many vehicles
Example: Don't take Route 95. I just heard on the radio that there was a 25-car pile-up by Exit 14.
10.(to) sit in traffic → to be caught in traffic and unable to drive much, if at all
Example: Don't leave Manhattan for Long Island at 4 p.m. on Friday. You'll be sitting in traffic for hours!
11.What a nightmare! → What a bad experience!
Example: Our flight was canceled, and we ended up spending the night at the airport. What a nightmare!
12.You name it, we've got it → we have a big selection
Example: "What drinks do you have?" - "You name it, we've got it!"
13.You shouldn't have → this is a polite way to respond when somebody gives you something
Example: "I brought you some chocolates for your birthday." - "You shouldn't have."
Practice the Expressions
Choose the best substitute for the phrase or sentence in bold:
1. I'll take a Coke. Hold the ice!
a) Don't put in any ice! b) Don't forget the ice! c) Make sure it's cold!
2. Let me know what you want to drink. You name it, we've got it.
a) We have a few different drinks available.
b) We have a large selection.
c) If you tell me what you want, I'll go to the store and get it.
3. I'd like a vodka on the rocks.
a) with rocks b) with ice c) with lemon juice
4. Come on in and join the party!
a) talk with the other guests b) sign up to help at the party c) join our club
5. I brought a little something for your baby.
a) an expensive gift b) a small gift c) a card
6. Sorry I'm late for dinner. I got held up at the office by an unexpected phone call.
a) bothered b) disturbed c) delayed
7. One cappuccino coming right up.
a) I'll bring you the cappuccino you asked for right away.
b) I'll take your empty cappuccino cup away.
c) I'll bring you the bill for one cappuccino right away.
8. Did you hear about the pile-up on Route 80?
a) road construction b) rush hour traffic c) accident involving many cars
9. My wallet was stolen in Rome. What a nightmare!
a) What an interesting experience! b) What an awful situation! c) What a lousy city!
10. After working hard all week, I'm ready to just chill out.
a) quit my job b) start another project c) relax
Answer Key
Practice The Expressions
1. a
2. b
3. b
4. a
5. b
6. c
7. a
8. c
9. b
10. c