Speak like natives lesson No 14

a. Overtime: Meaning: Work done in addition to regular working hours, usually in exchange for additional pay. Explanation: Overtime refers to working beyond the standard or regular hours of a job or task. It is often required when there is an increase in workload or to complete urgent or important tasks within a set deadline. Examples: Mary had to work overtime to finish a project before the deadline. The company offered overtime pay for employees who worked on weekends.

b. Get off the hook: Meaning: To avoid punishment or being held responsible for something. Explanation: To get off the hook means to be released from a difficult or unpleasant situation, such as avoiding responsibility for a mistake or avoiding a punishment. Examples: He got off the hook when the real culprit was found. She was lucky to get off the hook without getting a ticket.

. Have a full plate: Meaning: To have a lot of things to do or deal with. Explanation: When someone has a full plate, it means they have a lot of tasks, responsibilities or commitments, and they are busy. Examples: John can't join us tonight because he has a full plate with work and family commitments. I would love to help, but I have a full plate with my own responsibilities.

d. Saved the day: Meaning: To rescue a situation from potential failure or disaster. Explanation: To save the day means to resolve a difficult or problematic situation and to prevent it from turning into a disaster. Examples: Thanks to her quick thinking, Jane saved the day and prevented a major accident. The IT team saved the day by fixing the system just in time for the big presentation.

e. Deal with: Meaning: To handle, manage or cope with a problem or situation. Explanation: To deal with means to address, confront, or manage a problem or situation effectively. Examples: We need to deal with this issue before it gets worse. How did you deal with that difficult customer?

f. Know it inside out: Meaning: To have thorough knowledge or understanding of something. Explanation: To know something inside out means to have complete and detailed knowledge or understanding of a subject or topic. Examples: After years of experience, he knows the business inside out. She knows the recipe for the cake inside out, having made it many times.

g. Take over: Meaning: To assume control or responsibility for something from someone else. Explanation: To take over means to become in charge or responsible for something or someone. Examples: The new CEO took over the company last month. After her supervisor resigned, Sarah had to take over his duties.

h. Clueless: Meaning: To be unaware, uninformed, or without knowledge or understanding. Explanation: Clueless refers to a person who has no idea or understanding of a situation, problem, or task. Examples: I'm sorry, I'm clueless about how to fix the computer. He was clueless about the new regulations and needed some guidance.

i. Show you the ropes: Meaning: To teach or show someone how to do a task or job. Explanation: To show someone the ropes means to teach or instruct them on how to do a task or job, or how to navigate a new situation. Examples: When you start the new job, I'll show you the ropes. Can you show me the ropes on how to use this new software?

j. Never mind: Meaning: To dismiss, disregard, or cancel something previously mentioned. Explanation: Never mind is used to indicate that something is not important or no longer needed to be considered. Examples: Never mind, I found my keys. I thought I had a question, but