実践ビジネス英語 Wednesday, September 19
1) Some of the H&B staff meet for lunch, during which Garcia and Collins compliment Nissen on his improved fitness. Nissen explains that his regular trips to the gym were not resulting in as much weight loss as he hoped. So he adopted the "diet by slogans" method. He says this involves pasting motivational slogans such as "Move it to lose it" on places like his fridge and computer.
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Losing Weight (1)
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2) It's been what: Collins is using this construction in the sense of "This is my estimation. This is my understanding. Correct me if I'm wrong." You can use it with the variety of different question words. For example, "It's how far, ten minutes' walk to the restaurant?" Or, "We've invited how many, twenty people to the reception."
3) as trim and healthy as ever: We use "as something as ever" when some quality is unchanged. A person or thing has been this way and they still are this way. If someone at your office turns in yet another original, innovative proposal, you could say, "She is as creative as ever I see." Or if someone continues to be arrogant, you can say, "He is as conceited as ever."
4) check out: Examine, take a look at, Garcia is saying. She is using it in the sense of "Wow! Isn't this something?" If I saw really cheap prices at a travel agency, for example, I could say to a friend, "'Check out' these vacation deals. They are really cheap." Or I might say, "I think I'll 'check out' that new store tomorrow. See if I like their merchandise."
5) put something down to: Nissen means "I attribute something to," "I think something is caused] by." Imagine someone in your office is a bit rude one day, you might say "I 'put it down to' fatigue. He is really busy lately."
6) clean living: Nissen is joking here using "clean living" to mean a pure moral life. One in which you can't be criticized on moral grounds. However, I have also seen this term used to mean healthy living, a lifestyle geared toward nutrition, fitness, etc. as in "Oh, he is dedicated to 'clean living.' He doesn't drink or smoke and exercises every day.
7) That's a new one on me: We use this to mean we've never heard of something or experienced it before. There's also the expression "That's news to me." But I think this means more, "I didn't know that." or "I haven't heard that." You know, for example, if Mr. A says, "Did you know John is leaving next month?" Mr. B might say, "No, that's news to me.'"
8) tell me about it: Garcia is actually asking for more information. But this phrase is often used to mean, "I know I feel the same way." Or "I've had the same experience." If someone said, "Isn't it hot today?" I might reply, "Oh! 'Tell me about it,' I'm sweating like a pig."
9) move it: Nissen's slogan refers to actually moving your body. But we also use "move it" to mean "hurry up," as in "We better 'move it' or we'll miss the plane."
