Unit 8 (week eight)

Disagreeing

A. Disagreement at work
There was an outcry [1] at work today because the boss announced that he wanted us all to take a pay cut. We had a union meeting at lunchtime and we all agreed to stick together [2] and refuse to agree to his requests. Our union leader spoke out [3] very clearly to our boss and to the local press this afternoon. We’re sure that the boss well have to give in [4] in the end. Although in some ways I’d rather stay out of [5] it myself, I have no choice but to support my fellow union members.
1. (noun) public expression of anger and disapproval
2. support each other, especially in a difficult situation
3. publicly expressed an opinion, usually to oppose or criticise something or someone
4. finally agree to what someone wants after a period of refusing to agree
5. not become involved in an argument or discussion

B. Private disagreements
Read Cilla’s letter to an agony aunt, Esther.
"Dear Esther,
Please can you help me. My big sister and I always used to be good friends, but we fell out [1] when I started going out with a new boyfriend. Now she is always trying to put me down [2] and it is really beginning to get to [3] me. My boyfriend usually tries to stick up for [4] me, but then she just laughs at him too. Two years ago my boyfriend used to go out with my sister, but surely she doesn’t hold this against [5] us? What can we do?
Cilla"

1. argued with each other and stopped being friends
2. make me feel stupid or unimportant by criticising me
3. make me feel upset or angry
4. defend me when I am being criticized
5. like or respect them less because they have done something wrong or something that she does not like.

C. Back
The verb back is often used to refer to the position you take in an argument or decision.
up sh (or back sb up) = to say that someone is telling the truth
BACK down = admit that you are wrong or have been defeated, often because you are forced to
out = decide not to do something that you were going to do or had agreed to do
Examples:
When I make my point at the meeting, please back me up.
The government backed down on its controversial plans to increase income tax.
Jill had agreed to come sailing with us tomorrow, but she's backed out.

Persuading

A. Verbs with talk and put
To PUT across/over sth or PUT sth across/over = explain or express sth clearly so that people understand it easily. E.g.: He’s an excellent teacher. He puts his subject across/over so well.
To PUT forward sth or PUT sth forward = state an idea or opinion, or suggest a plan, so that it can be considered or discussed. E.g.: The company has put forward a plan to build a new hotel in the city centre.
To PUT sth to sb = suggest an idea or plan to someone so they can be considered or discussed. E.g.: Your proposal is interesting. I’ll put it to the committee tomorrow.
To TALK sb around = persuade someone to agree with you or to do what you want them to do. E.g.: Dad won’t let me go away with my friends, but Mum might be able to talk him around/round.
To TALK sb into sth/doing sth = persuade someone to do something which they may be unwilling to do at first. E.g.: She talked me into going jogging every day before work.
To TALK sb out of sth/doing sth = persuade someone not to do sth. E.g.: My sister wants to leave college but my parents are trying to talk her out of it.

B. Other verbs connected with persuading people
PRIME MINISTER CALLS FOR [1] WAR ON DRUGS
Minister brushes aside [2] opposition to new tax plan
UNION BOSS BRINGS EMPLOYER ROUND [3] TO PAY DEAL
Doctors press for [4] shorter working hours
CITY ROPES IN [5] LOCAL INDUSTRY TO SUPPORT ENVIRONMENT PLAN
"I was just having the media on [6], and they fell for [7] it," says star who faked his own death

1. says he thinks a particular thing should be done, usually in order to change or improve a situation
2. refuses to listen to what someone says, or refuses to think about something seriously
3. persuades someone to agree with you or to do what you want them to do
4. try to persuade someone, usually someone in authority, to give you something or to allow something to happen
5. (informal) persuades someone to help yon with something, especially when they do not want to
6. (informal) persuading someone that something is true when it is not, usually as a joke
7. were tricked into believing something that is not true

Praising and criticising

A. Praising and criticising
Max: Now that you've been in our company for a month, what do you think of the other people in your department?
David: Well, there is one outstanding [1] person and that's Jessica. She's a first-class personal
assistant. She stands out [2] from the others.
Max: That's good to hear. What about Rick? What do you think of him?
David: He's very able, but I wish he wasn't such a show-off [3]! I don't know who he's trying to impress.
Max: It's the female staff. I think. He alwavs shows off [4] more with women around.
David: Yes, I guess he's just a bit screwed-up [5]. But otherwise his performance is fine – his work certainly measures up [6].
Max: So there are no real problems then?
David: Well, I am very worried about Sally. She seems to be screwing everything up [7] at the moment. I'd had such good reports of her that it really surprised me. I tried asking her what she was playing at [8] but she just burst into tears.
Max: Why don't you have a word with Jessica? Perhaps she can find out what's wrong.

1. (adjective) extremely good, or of a very high standard
2. is much better than other people or things
3. (noun) person who tries to impress in an annoying way
4. tries to make people admire his abilities or achievements in a way other people find annoying
5 (adjective, informal) confused, unhappy about himself and his life
6. is good enough
7. (informal) making a mistake with everything, or damaging or spoiling everything
8. (always used in the continuous form; always used in questions) doing; when you ask what someone is playing at, you are surprised or angry about their behaviour

B. Ways of criticising
If you LAY INTO someone, you criticise or attack them in an angry way.
The headmaster really laid into the boys for arriving in school so late.
If you PICK ON someone, you choose one person from a group of people to criticise or treat unfairly, especially when they are smaller or weaker than you.
Mark was a quiet, studious child and the big boys in the class used to pick on him.
If you RUN DOWN someone or something, or RUN someone or something DOWN, you criticise that person or thing, often unfairly.
Pam's big sister is always running her down even though Pam is far cleverer than her.
If you HIT BACK, you criticise or attack someone who has criticised or attacked you.
Jack is constantly criticising his sons - I'm sure they'll hit back eventually.
If you TAKE OUT something ON someone or TAKE something OUT ON someone, you treat someone badly because you are upset or angry, even though they have done nothing wrong.
Of course Mary is upset at losing her job but she shouldn't take it out on her family.
If you RUB something IN (informal), you talk to someone about something which they want to forget because they feel bad about it.
I know it was all my fault. I just wish everyone would stop rubbing it in!

Exclamations and warnings

A. Reactions and responses
Ahmed: I just wanted to ask you a couple of questions.
Sara: Fine. No problem. Fire away! [something you say to tell someone you're ready for them to start asking you questions, or to start speaking]
Hilary: Oh, everything is so awful at the moment.
Petra: Oh, lighten up, will you! You'll make everyone as miserable as you! [something you say to tell someone to stop being so serious or annoyed]
Vera: Joanna wants you to give a talk to her students next Monday.
Dan: Joanna? Next week? Hang on / hold on! Who's Joanna? Is she someone I know?
[something you say when you are confused or surprised by something and you need time to think]
Kylie: I feel like lulling Roger! I'm never, ever going to speak to him again!
Lorna: Steady on! I know he acted stupidly, but he's not a bad person really. [something you say to tell someone that you think what they are saying is too extreme]
Gary: You see, what I want to say is, well, I mean, it's like, er, it's difficult to say it.
Ken: Come on! Spit it out! What is it? [come on something you say to encourage someone to do something you want them to do, especially to hurry up, to try harder, or to tell you something; spit it out something you say to encourage someone to tell you something which they do not want to tell you]
Lou: Some of the students are very poor, and can't afford textbooks.
Kate: Poor! Come off it! They have enough money for mobile phones. [something you say to tell someone that you do not believe them or that you disagree with them]

B. Commands and warnings
Step on it! We're late = said to someone, especially someone who is driving, when you want them to go faster
Watch out! Mind out! Look out! There's a car coming! = said to tell someone to be careful so that they can avoid danger or an accident
Go on! Hurry up! We've not got all day! = said to encourage someone to do something or to tell someone to do something more quickly
You're doing very well! Keep it up! = said to encourage someone to continue to do something, especially to continue to work hard or well
[On the phone] Hold on. I'll get Mike for you. It's best if you speak to him = said to ask someone to wait a moment
Belt up! I'm trying to listen to the radio = said angrily to someone to tell them to be quiet

TASK: WRITE A DIALOGUE (OR SEVERAL DIALOGUES) USING THESE PHRASAL VERBS.