ESL Podcast 709 - Taking Someone for Granted

to leave (someone) - to choose to end a romantic relationship with another person, especially when that other person does not want to end the relationship

Brian's father left his mother when Brian was just three years old.

it's about time - a phrase used to show that one is glad or relieved that something has finally happened, and that one wishes it had happened sooner

It's about time you asked your boss for a raise! You've been with the company for 10 years, and they're still paying you the same salary.

to make (something) work - to try very hard to make something be successful, especially when talking about a relationship

They tried to keep the restaurant open, but in the end they just couldn't make it work and they had to close their business.

for a lack of trying - due to one's unwillingness to try to do something that is difficult or unpleasant, usually used in the negative

Nancy studied really hard, so if she fails the exam, it won't be for a lack of trying.

on (someone's) part - referring to one person's involvement or participation in something, or to one person's opinion or belief about something

There were a lot of bad feelings on Liu's part. He has never been able to forgive his sister for what she did.

to bend over backwards - to do everything possible to make something happen, especially to make something easier for another person

The customer service representatives are fantastic! They always bend over backwards to solve their customers' problems.

to please - to make someone happy or satisfied; to do or say something that another person will like

Jessina always tried to please her parents by earning good grades in school.

to take (someone) for granted - to not appreciate another person and/or his or her actions and behaviors; to not recognize someone for the good things he or she does

Don't let your boss take you for granted! Make sure she knows just how much you contribute to the team.

too good for (someone) - superior to someone; better than someone

Becca's parents have always thought their daughter was too good for their son- in-law, and it has really affected Becca's marriage.

on the surface - superficially; relating to how someone or something seems at first, before one really understands he, she, or it well

Being a lawyer seems like a great career on the surface, but soon you realize how much stress it involves.

slimeball - someone who does bad, sneaky, tricky things and whom one does not want to spend time with because one does not respect him or her

That guy is such a slimeball! He was dating three women at once, without letting them know it.

to appreciate (someone) - to value another person; to recognize the good qualities or characteristics of another person and let that person know that he or she is admired

We really appreciate our employees, and we try to prove it to them by offering generous compensation and vacation leave.

to be able to do worse - a phrase used to talk about something that is not perfect, but is not bad and is actually better than many other similar things

The job isn't perfect, but he likes it and he could do worse.

to treat (someone) right - to be kind, thoughtful, and considerate toward another person, not abusing or mistreating him or her

Our nonprofit organization tries to help women whose boyfriends or husbands don't treat them right.

Boy Scouts - an organization that teaches boys practical skills, values, and strong morals as they grow up

Sammy learned how to survive in the wilderness, tie knots, and start a fire while he was in the Boy Scouts.