ESL Podcast 763 - Dealing with an Apartment Super

super - superintendent; a person whose job is to maintain a building, especially an apartment building, making sure that everything works properly and fixing things that break

The super wasn't able to fix the light by our front door, so he's going to call a professional electrician.

to hear back - to receive communication from someone after one has left a message for that person

I've left seven messages on Alexey's cell phone in the past 24 hours, but I still haven't heard back from him. Do you think he's avoiding me?

maintenance - the work or actions needed to keep something in good condition, or at least to avoid letting it fall into worse condition

They never would have bought a 100-year-old house if they had realized how much maintenance it would require.

to hide out - to remain hidden, quiet, and secretive; to spend time where one cannot be seen or observed by other people

You can't hide out in the garage all night. At some point you need to go in and tell everyone what happened.

overworked - with too many things to do, especially in one's job

The customer service representatives are overworked. We need to hire more people to help answer the phones.

unit - one apartment or condo in a large building or complex

How much do you charge for the two-bedroom units?

conceivable - possible, but not likely; able to be believed

It's conceivable that his relatives have died each week for the past month, but I think it's more likely that he's lying about it as an excuse so he doesn't have to come to work.

to count on - to rely on; to depend on; to want or need something to exist or happen a certain way

We're counting on you to help us move this weekend. Please don't forget!

to give (someone) the benefit of the doubt - to assume the most positive thing when one does not have full information about which possibility is real or true

Either the client changed her mind or she was offended by the team's presentation. But since she hasn't complained, let's give the team the benefit of the doubt.

all the while - while; simultaneously; at the same time, especially when used to show a strong contrast

Olivia spent the evening cooking, feeding the baby, washing the dishes, bathing the kids, and reading bedtime stories, and all the while her husband was watching TV. Why doesn't she ask him to help her?

mark my words - a phrase used to emphasize what one has just said and tell another person to pay attention, listen carefully, and remember it in the future

Mark my words, the next World War will be fought over a lack of water.

to catch (someone) - to find or communicate with someone, especially before he or she leaves a place

If you go right now, you might be able to catch Mariah in her office before she leaves for the day.

save your energies - an informal phrase used to tell someone not to do something, usually because one thinks it is unnecessary and will be a waste of time

Jasmina was going to complain to the manager, but everyone told her to save her energies, because it wouldn't do any good.

to track down - to find someone, especially if it will be difficult

Zvonko is determined to track down whoever scratched his new car and make them pay for the damage.

come hell or high water - in spite of all obstacles; no matter what happens; no matter how difficult something is

Come hell or high water, we're going to make this business a success!