DIALOGUE

Practice by reading the dialogue with your tutor. After you are done, switch roles and do it again!

• Kevin: I want to take you out for your birthday dinner, but I will foot the bill.
• Dorothy: That’s sweet of you! You must have money to burn.
• Kevin: I made a killing in the stock market the other day so I have some extra money.
• Dorothy: Wow! You better not spend it all. You should save some for a rainy day.

 

 

 

NEW SKILLS

Using idioms about money

Read the idioms below out loud with your tutor. Try using each idiom in a sentence about your own life.

 

 

money talks – Money gives one power and influence to help get things done or get one’s own way.

 

nest egg – money that has been saved up

Example: Everyone needs a nest egg for retirement.

 

 

money doesn’t grow on trees – it’s not easy to get money

Example:

• Son: Dad, can you buy me a nice car for my 18th birthday?
• Dad: Son, I can’t afford to buy you a nice car. Money doesn’t grow on trees.

 

 

saving for a rainy day – to keep something, especially money, for a time in the future when it might be needed

Example: One never knows when you will need money. You better be saving for a rainy day.

 

 

 

cost an arm and a leg – something that is extremely expensive

Example: That Porsche cost me an arm and a leg!

 

 

 

 

 

EXERCISE

Make a sentence using the idiom about money.

• nest egg We need to build a nest egg so we have money for vacation next year.
• saving for a rainy day _____________________________________________.
• to foot the bill _____________________________________________.
• money doesn’t grow on trees _______________________________________.
• money to burn __________________________________________________.
• money talks__________________________________________________.
• cash cow ____________________________________________________.
• to make a killing _______________________________________________.
• to cut your losses ________________________________________________.
• cost an arm and a leg _____________________________________________.

 

 

 

Discussion Questions

1. What is your personal philosophy regarding saving money? Are you more of a saver or a spender?
2. Who has the best money habits in your family? Why?
3. Talk about a time you regretted not purchasing something.
4. What is the best purchase you’ve made recently? Why was it the best purchase?
5. How would you describe the spending patterns in your country? How does it differ with other countries?

 

 

 

 

 

(Image Source: 1. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/116741815318497552/, 2. http://thai.langhub.com/th-en/learn-english-blog/480-cost-an-arm-and-a-leg)