ESL Podcast 189 - Getting Home Late from School
to lose track of time - to forget to pay attention to the time
He lost track of time at the library and was late for his doctor's appointment.
to be worried sick - to be very worried or concerned
I was worried sick when my younger sister had a high fever.
supposed to - to be expected to do something; to have the responsibility to do something
My friend was supposed to give me a ride to work, but she called and said her car broke down.
straight - directly, without stopping anywhere else
When you arrive at the airport, be sure to go straight to the hotel where someone will be waiting to take you to the meeting.
locker - a small storage space with a lock; usually found in schools, workplaces, and gyms
The gym has lockers where I can store my wallet and clothes while I'm working out.
to break out - to happen suddenly
The people at the soccer match broke out into a cheer when he scored a goal.
hallway - the walkways in a building; the area where you walk from room to room
There are so many boxes in the hallway that it's difficult to get into her office.
vice principal - the second highest official in a school, after the principal
The vice principal is talking to those two students who went to see a movie today instead of going to class.
to break (something) up - to end an event or action
My brothers were having an argument, but luckily, my mother broke it up.
excuse - a reason given for doing something wrong, usually to try to lessen the blame
Teachers hear a lot of excuses from students who don't do their homework. (someone) is trouble - someone who often causes problems or gets into trouble
I don't like that boy. Stay away from him. I think he's trouble.
to hang around with - to spend time with; to be friends with
Do you want to come over after school and hang around with my friends?
curfew - a specific time when people are required to return home; usually a time parents set for their children to come home at night
Now that I'm older, can we change my curfew from 9 o'clock to 11?
just wait until - an expression that suggests that someone else is going to have a big reaction; usually it is used when someone will be very angry or very happy
Just wait until she get home and finds out you've had a party for 100 people in her house!
to be grounded - to be punished by having restrictions placed on free time; usually this means that a child must stay in his or her room, cannot talk on the phone, and may not spend time with friends outside of school
After my parents saw the grade I got in math class, they grounded me for two weeks.
that's not fair - an expression used to claim that someone is being treated more poorly than others; often used by children and teenagers
My friends get to see the late movie, but I can't. That's not fair!
strict - to have many rules and to strongly enforce them
Benny's parents aren't strict at all. He does whatever he wants.
won't have - will not accept or approve of
Gina has been late for work every day this week. I won't have it.
to talk back to - to argue or complain to someone in authority
Melissa was fired from work because she talked back to the boss.
go to your room - an order to wait in one's room; usually used when a child is being punished for misbehaving.
This isn't a good time to talk about this. Go to your room!