ESL Podcast 772 - Types of People at Work

to show (someone) around - to give someone an orientation; to teach someone where things are in an unfamiliar building or city

When Ida moved into the apartment building, her neighbor offered to show her around the neighborhood.

the lay of the land - the organization or layout of something; where things are placed or found

This is such a big campus! It's going to take us weeks to figure out the lay of the land.

perfectionist - someone who has very high standards and wants to do everything the right way, without making any mistakes

Gladys is a perfectionist who does her work well, but very slowly because she wants to make it just right.

stickler - someone who follows the rules exactly and insists that other people do the same; someone who is very strict

Damian is a stickler with his exercise routine. He runs 8 miles every weekday, and 12 miles on Saturdays.

slacker - someone who is lazy and does not do the work he or she is supposed to do, or does not do it well

Adam is such a slacker. He just watches TV all day and refuses to work or help around the house.

troublemaker - a person who creates difficulties for other people; someone who creates problems

Hans is a troublemaker in the classroom, so the teacher watches him carefully.

warning - advice about a dangerous or difficult situation that may happen in the future; caution

The embassy issued a warning about the dangerous protests in the capital city.

to work under (someone) - to work under someone's supervision; to report to someone in a work environment; to be managed by someone

It would be such an honor to work under Professor Maser, because she's a leading researcher in our field.

slave driver - a person who demands that other people work very hard; someone with very high expectations for other people's performance

Shelby is a slave driver who never accepts excuses from her employees.

workaholic - someone who is addicted to work; someone who works very hard for many hours, usually on evenings and weekends when one is not expected to work

Randolph is a workaholic, which is great for his career, but bad for his marriage.

don't sweat it - don't worry; a phrase used to tell someone that there is no need for concern or anxiety

A: I'm so sorry I broke your cup!

B: Don't sweat it. We were going to buy new cups anyway.

yes-man - a person who is very eager to please someone else and always agrees to what another person has proposed or requested

The mayor has surrounded himself with yes-men who never question his decisions.

ambitious - very eager to succeed; with challenging goals for what one wants to accomplish in life

Is it true that the most ambitious students study medicine, engineering, or law at this university?

ruthless - without showing pity; not caring about other people's feelings; without compassion

As CEO, William was ruthless and fired employees all the time without warning.

to get in (someone's) way - to be an obstacle to what someone wants to accomplish; to interfere with someone's plans

Don't let money get in your way education. If you don't have enough cash to pay tuition, try to get a scholarship or a loan.

gossip - a person who spreads rumors; someone who shares secret, private information about other people, especially when that information may not be true

Meghan says that Masayuki is getting a divorce, but she's such a gossip that I don't know whether I should believe her.