英语口头语之footinthedoor

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Foot in the Door

In general, American teenagers are big spenders. They want to buy things the other kids have: CDs of the latest songs, CD players, videos, video games, electronic gadget s, fashionable clothes, and even cars. A few parents agree to foot the bill, but others don’t. Instead, the y put their foot down and insist that the kids get a job. After all, that is the best way for them to learn how to stand on their own feet and learn the value of money.

At first, the teenagers have cold feet because they lack confidence to go job hunting. They often find a friend who has a job and ask for advice. If they are lucky, their friend will help them get their foot in the door where he works. If their work schedule has the same hours, the friend will even help the newly-hired teen to get his feet wet and suggest things to do in order to put his best foot forward. However, because of their immaturity, teens will sometimes drag their feet and will not be conscientious about doing a good job. They are used to being waited on hand and foot by a caring mother, and haven’t developed a sense of responsibility. If they get off on the wrong foot by having a bad attitude, the boss will fire them.

Having a job is a wonderful real-life education that teaches a teen or young adult to think on his feet. He experiences how rude customers can be, now that the shoe is on the other foot, and realizes how important it is to be courteous. If he develops a habit of always being on his toes and is careful to avoid stepping on co-workers’ toes, he will be very successful. Employers value employees who are enthusiastic, courteous, and have their feet on the ground.

单词：

Gadget:小东西，小玩意

She likes those clever little gadgets

A bottle opener is a kitchen gadget

Courteous: she is courteous to everyone.

Value:价值

The dictionary is little value to you

Conscientious:非常清楚，意识清晰

She is conscientious about her job.

相关词：Conscience: 意识

My conscience is clear

The value of dollar may fall

His value seemed old fashioned

I value the necklace at 1000$

俚语：

Foot the bill

付账，买单。Pay for the expense

Put one’s foot down

下定决心make a firm decision and insist someone obey

Stand on one’s own feet

自力更生depend on oneself. Not ask anyone for help or money

Have cold feet

胆怯的not to be brave enough to do something

Get one’s foot in the door

入门to get the first opportunity to work or do something that is important for one’s career

Get one’s feet wet

第一次做to do something for the first time

Put one’s best foot forward

做到最好try to make a good expression and to do one’s best

Drag one’s feet

犹豫不前to hesitate to act, or to act slowly because a person isn’t enthusiastic

Be waited on hand and fee t

被照顾的无微不至to be served in every possible way by another person

Get off on the wrong foot

一开始就犯下错误招致厌make a bad mistake at the beginning and cause people not to like you Think on one’s feet

反应迅速to make wise decisions quickly and solve problem

The shoe is on the other feet

位置互换a situation which a person experiences how another person feels

Be on one’s toes

小心翼翼to be alert and ready to take action

Step on one’s toes

妨碍或者得罪别人to do or say something that will embarrass or offend other people

Have one’s feet on the ground

脚踏实地to understand reality, to be practical and have sensible ideas.

阅读理解

Questions

Why do American teenagers want their parents to foot the bill?

When some parents put their foot down, what do they insist their children do?

How does getting a job help kids learn how to stand on their own feet?

Why do some people have cold feet when they have to get jobhunting?

How can a person, who is looking for a job, get his foot in the door?

How is the best way for a newly hired employee to get his feet wet?

Why do people want to put their best foot forward when they meet someone for the first time?

How can you know when a person is dragging his feet?

What two kinds of people like to be waited on hand and foot?

How do some people get off on the wrong foot?

What do people have to do when they think on their feet?

Why is having the shoe on the other foot such a valuable way to learn compassion? What does a person do who is on his toes?

Why is it important to avoid stepping on someone’s toes?

Why do commercialairplane pilots have to have their feet on the ground while flying?