Kick the Bucket | The Best of Both Worlds | Kill Two Birds With One Stone | Curry Favor With Someone

Exercise 1

Vocabulary

kick the bucket

Phrase

kɪk ðə ˈbʌkɪt

(informal) to die

Did you hear that Mr. McGee kicked the bucket?

This is a list of places that I want to visit before I kick the bucket.

the best of both worlds

Phrase

ðə bɛst əv boʊθ wɜːrldz

the benefits of two separate situations

Students usually want to enjoy the best of both worlds - the freedom of adult life and the convenience of living with their parents.

kill two birds with one stone

Phrase

kɪl tu bɜrdz wɪð wʌn stoʊn

to achieve two things at once with a single action

Sally was the neighborhood babysitter. She killed two birds with one stone: she looked after her own daughter and got paid for looking after other kids.

curry favor with

Phrase

ˈkɜri ˈfeɪvər wɪð

to try to gain favor with someone by saying things that might please them

In an attempt to curry favor with them, he promised all of them a raise.

I’ll try to curry favor with the guys from the computer club.

chink in (one’s) armor

Phrase

ʧɪŋk ɪn wʌnz ˈɑrmər

a weakness

Even Tim has a chink in his armor - he can’t swim!

Exercise 2

Dialogue Practice

Read the dialogues aloud with your teacher.

Haruto	The character whom I thought was the strongest kicked the bucket first! I can’t believe it!
Liam	Well, even a superhero can have a chink in his armor.

Mark Smith	I don't like that new guy. He is constantly trying to curry favor with the boss.
Akio Adachi	Yes, but I don't think that's working out.

Matt	I’m so tired! But I also want to party...
Hannah	You can have a nap while I drive us to the party. That way you'll get the best of both worlds!

Nathan	Should we go to the movies or did you want to have a snack first?
Lauren	We can buy popcorn at the cinema and kill two birds with one stone.

Exercise 3

Article

Read the passage aloud with your teacher.

I have always dreamed of being a superhero. They are strong, courageous, and honest. Plus, they get the best of both worlds: they are respected as heroes, but they are also able to lead normal lives.

In fictional worlds, they never kick the bucket. They always find a way to survive. However, even superheroes can have a chink in their armor.

If I were a superhero and I could choose my superpower, I’d have the ability to fly. That way, I’d kill two birds with one stone: I could save the day and get to work faster!

Exercise 4

Fill in the Blanks

Fill in the blanks with the correct idioms to complete the dialogue.

Lauren is asking Hannah to help her.
Lauren	Hey, Hannah, wait!
Hannah	Hi, Lauren!
Lauren	Oh, you look so beautiful today! Is that a new dress?
Hannah	Lauren, are you trying to (1) me? What do you need?
Lauren	You've got me. I need your help. There's no way I will manage to submit this essay on time, so I was thinking we could ask the lecturer to extend the deadline. Would you be willing to ask him?
Hannah	I guess I could, but why don’t you do it yourself?
Lauren	I’m too scared.
Hannah	How about you (2): talk to the lecturer and overcome your fear.
Lauren	I'd rather (3) than talk to him myself! You know I'm terrified of him!
Hannah	Come on! It's just an irrational fear. Everyone has (4). That's nothing to be ashamed of. But you have to try to overcome it.
Lauren	I don’t know. I’m really scared; the lecturer seems to hate me.
Hannah	Yeah, a lot of students don't like him, because he seems to be so strict. He is a great lecturer, though. I guess you can’t get (5). Okay, I’ll go ask him instead of you!
Lauren	Thanks, Hannah! You're the best!