K EEPING O NE ' S H EAD A BOVE WATER

V OCABULARY

rack one's brains

v.) try hard to think or remember

keep one's head above water v.) be able to exist on one's income, pay bills hard up put up a good front see daylight moola bail one out
adj.) in desperate need of something v.) pretend to be happy ,fool people about one's status v.) achieve or expect a favorable result n.) money v.) help

a drop in the bucket n.) a small amount back on one's feet

adj.) financially independent or physically healthy again

D IALOGUE
Tony: I'm racking my brains to find a way to keep my head above water. Edward: I didn't know you were hard up. Tony: I put up a good front but I haven't seen daylight for a long time. Edward: I'll give you some moola to bail you out. Tony: That's just a drop in the bucket. I need too much to get back on my feet.

E XERCISE 1.

N AME EACH PICTURE WITH THE

CORRECT IDIOM

a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) i)

bail him out get back on his feet keep his head above water hard up racking his brains a drop in the bucket see daylight put up a good front moola

E XERCISE 2.

C OMPLETE THE SENTENCES WITH THE CORRECT IDIOM .

a) b) c) d) e) f) g) h) i)

bail him out get back on his feet keep his head above water hard up racking his brains a drop in the bucket see daylight put up a good front moola

E XERCISE 2.
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

C OMPLETE THE SENTENCES WITH THE CORRECT IDIOM .

He works in advertising and is constantly _______ to think of creative ideas. I'd like to borrow some money because I'm _________. He finds it difficult supporting a family and trying to _________. I have so much work. I don't know when I'll __________. How much ________ would that car cost? Whenever he gets in trouble, his parents always __________. I saved up $100 toward a new car but that's just __________. She was very upset over a poor grade but didn't want anyone to know. She smiled and __________. He lost everything in a fire but he is working two jobs now trying to _______.

9.

E XERCISE 3: R EWRITE

THE PHRASES IN

ITALICS , USING THE PROPER IDIOMATIC EXPRESSION .

1. After her husband died, she found it difficult supporting herself, but now she is independent again. 2. He's always getting in trouble and his parents have to help him. 3. He is too busy studying and writing papers, but soon it will all be over. 4. He can't find a job. He is really desperate. 5. I'm trying very hard to remember his name. 6. I need $1,000. $10 is just a small amount.

7. Anyone who hires his own jet has a lot of money.

8. She's a good actress. You never know if she is having personal problems.