Unit 11 Small Talk

Unit 11 Small Talk

Shake hands to greet someone by taking that person’s hand and shaking it

             Also: shake someone’s hand

             ▪ When you meet someone for the first time, it’s polite to shake hands.

             ▪ Your close friends are unlikely to shake your hand when you meet.

Not see for ages not to meet someone for a long time

             Also: not see in ages

             GRAMMAR NOTE: Use the present perfect tense or past perfect tense.

             ▪ Do you know where John has been? I haven’t seen him for ages.

             ▪ Karin returned home for Christmas because she hadn’t seen her parents in ages

a sight for sore eyes someone or something you’re glad to see again

             ▪ Fabio, you’re a sight for sore eyes! I missed you while you were gone.

             ▪ After Denise returned from a long business trip, her own bed was a sight for sore eyes.

Long time no see an expression to show that a long time has passed since you saw someone last

             ▪ Is that you, Alice? I can’t believe it. Long time no see!

Strike up a conversation to begin talking with someone for the first time

             ▪ A crowded elevator is an awkward place to strike up a conversation.

             ▪ As Linda waited at the bus stop, she struct up a conversation with a woman standing next to her.

Make small talk to talk about common topics such as the weather, activities, family, and work

             Also: make conversation

             ▪ Shinji isn’t good at making small talk at parties. He’s usually quiet and just listens.

             ▪ The prefessor made conversation with her students before class started.

Break the ice to end an awkward situation by suggesting a topic of conversation

             Related form: icevreaker (noun)

             ▪ When the hostess introduced Igor at the parth, there was a moment of silence until she broke the ice by saying, “Did you know that Igor is an Olympic silver medalist?”

             ▪ Jobs or hobbies are good icebreakers when you can’t think of anything to talk about.

Shoot the breeze to talk or chat casually

             Also: chew the fat

             ▪ Tom met his friends at the golf club for lunch and to shoot the breeze.

             ▪ Some office workers avoid getting their work done by chewing the fat.

What’s going on? What’s happening?

             Also: What’s new?, What’s up?

             USAGE NOTE: A common response is Not much or Nothing special.

             ▪ PERSON1: Hi, Michelle. What’s going on?

              PERSON2: Not much, Jorge.

             ▪ PERSON1: What’s new, Karla?

              PERSON2: Nothing special, Pete. What’s up with you?

So long good-bye, farewell

             Also: Take it easy, Take care

             ▪ TANYA: I’ve got to go, Jack. So long.

                JACK: So long, Tanya.

             ▪ SARAH: Well, Junko, time to go. Take it easy.

              JUNKO: Take care, SARAH.

Catch you later good-bye, with the idea of seeing someone at a later time

             Also: See you around

             GRAMMAR NOTE: The subject pronoun I + will can be used with these idioms. If it is not used, it is implied.

             ▪ Oh no, I’m late for my appointment. Catch you later.

             ▪ I’m glad you’ve enrolled in school again. I’ll see you around!