ESL Podcast 663 - Having Problems Concentrating
driver's test - a written and driving exam that one must pass before one can receive a driver's license
For the driver's test, you'll need to know the maximum speed limit in residential areas and on freeways.
distracted - not able to concentrate; with one's attention divided among two or more things
Shayna tried to study for the test, but she was distracted by the loud music coming from her neighbor's house.
manual - a small book that tells one how to do or use something
When you buy a new computer, do you read the user manual first, or do you start using it right away?
deadly - very unpleasant and/or difficult; extremely boring
Don't take any classes with Professor Tse. Her lectures are deadly!
to focus - to concentrate; to put all of one's attention into a particular thought, task, or action
Good lifeguards focus on the safety of swimmers at all times.
to keep (one's) mind on - to concentrate; to think about a particular thing without stopping or being distracted
It's hard to keep my mind on work when we're having so many problems with the kids.
the rules of the road - the laws and regulations that govern how people should drive
In the United States, everyone drives on the right-hand side. Those are the rules of the road.
to concentrate - to focus; to do or think about only one thing, without doing or thinking about other things
If you don't start concentrating during your dance lesson, you'll never learn to dance the waltz.
for (one's) mind to keep wandering - for someone to be unable to focus on any single topic, instead thinking about many different things, especially if those things are not relevant or important
That movie was so boring! I tried to pay attention to the story, but my mind kept wandering.
to throw in the towel - to give up; to stop trying to do something, usually because it is very difficult or frustrating
Hank tried to follow the recipe five times before he decided to throw in the towel and just buy a cake instead of making one himself.
to buckle down - to become very serious about trying to do something, without delaying or making excuses, especially when it is very difficult or challenging
If I want to learn how to play the piano, I need to buckle down and practice every day.
to crack the whip - to make someone do something; to be very demanding and controlling about what another person does and how he/she does it
If my parents hadn't cracked the whip while I was a kid, I never would have been a good student.
What's in it for (one)? - an informal phrase used to ask what advantages or benefits one will get from a particular situation or as a result of doing something
Yes, I could loan you my green dress, but what's in it for me?
to chauffeur - to drive someone to many different places when asked
A designated driver chauffeurs friends to and from bars and their home when they are too drunk to drive themselves.
for one second more than (one) has to - a phrase used to show that one is very anxious or eager for something to end, and will stop doing that thing as soon as possible
Kyung hates his job and swears he won't work for one second more than he has to. As soon as he has enough money saved, he will retire.
the look - a facial expression; the way the position of one's eyes, eyebrows, and mouth can express emotions
When I saw the look on Mom's face, I knew we were in trouble.