Pre-Listening Exercise
What are some common ways to celebrate your anniversary? What do people do, where do they go, and what gifts do they buy for their spouses?
Idioms
“once in a blue moon” = very rarely
“We go on vacation once in a blue moon.”
“grab a bite (to eat)” = have a light meal
“I grabbed a bite before I got to work.”
Listening Exercise
A. Listen to the recording and answer the questions.
Husband: Happy Anniversary!
Wife: Oh, thank you. They’re beautiful. You shouldn’t have . . . especially since our anniversary was last week.
Husband: What? Oh, I completely forgot . . .
Wife: Again?
Husband: No Way. I can’t believe it.
Wife: Neither can I, but you did.
Husband: Ah, how can I make it up to you . . . again? Anything!
Wife: Okay, let’s negotiate. [Negotiate?] First of all, I want to go on that dream vacation you’ve always promised me.
Husband: You mean, to Chicago?
Wife: No! To Europe. I want to fly first class and stay at 5-star hotels. And no more places with broken heaters, leaky showers, and dirty bedding.
Husband: Ah, were those places that bad?
Wife: Well, SOMETHING a little nicer, at least once in a blue moon, would be nice. [Well . . . ] And, oh yeah. Next, I want to get a new kitchen stove. The old one took its last breath weeks ago.
Husband: But we . . .
Wife: No, we’re NOT going to use the outdoor barbecue anymore. It isn’t any fun at all cooking outside in the winter, with icicles hanging from your nose.
Husband: That bad?
Wife: Not for YOU since you’re always watching from inside.
Husband: Oh, well.
Wife: And finally, I want a new wardrobe: some new dresses, shirts, pants, earrings . . .
Husband: But . . .
Wife: And, NO, I’m not going to wear your grandmother’s old secondhand pants again.
Husband: Is that it?
Wife: Uh, hmm, for now. So, why don’t we grab a bite to eat before we start planning the entire adventure.
Husband: But lunch wasn’t on the list.
Wife: Let’s see. Paris, Rome, London, then a short detour to Russia, China, [What?!] and, ooh, and Hawaii on the way home.
Husband: Wow. I’d better ask the boss for a huge raise.
Vocabulary and Sample Sentences
- No way: unbelievable
– He really got married? No way! I thought he’d take that step. - negotiate (verb): talk about the terms of an agreement
– The couple is trying to negotiate a divorce settlement. - once in a blue moon: very rarely
– We go out to a nice restaurant once in a blue moon. - wardrobe (noun): the clothing someone has
– His girlfriend buys a new wardrobe every few months. - secondhand (adjective): not new, used by someone else
– The family bought secondhand clothing at a discount shop so they could save money. - grab a bite (to eat): have a light meal
– Would you like to grab a bite this evening after work?