PE 2/11 Something New Is Brewing at the Office

You know, you were standing in that exact same position the last time I saw you. How do you manage to choke down the swill that comes from that coffee machine?

* choke something down: ~을 힘겹게 삼키다

* swill [swɪl]: 부엌의 구정물, 구정물 같은 것

Well, I wouldn’t call it the elixir of the gods, but it’s really not that bad, and the price is right. What’s wrong with having a little coffee? Are you saying I have no taste?

* elixir [ɪ^|lɪksə(r) ; 英 또한 ɪ^|lɪksɪə(r)]: 묘약, 특효약

Sorry, Neil. I didn’t mean to put you on the defensive. I couldn’t start my day without my double espresso. It’s just that the last time I tried the stuff you’re drinking I almost choked. I don’t know why the company bothers to provide it.

* put one on the defensive: to offend someone such that they respond defensively

ex> Allison’s comments about her husband’s driving put him on the defensive.

ex> Would it put you on the defensive if I gave some advice about your job?

Shhh! Not so loud! Don’t let them take away one of the only perks we get around here! Besides, it keeps the staff alert. This place would look like a zombie movie by 4 o’clock if there wasn’t free coffee at the ready.

* at the ready: available for immediate use

ex> The captain made sure the ship’s cannons were always at the ready.

ex> Firefighters must find ways to stay fit, alert, and always at the ready.

Well, their campaign to liven up the zombie hordes would be a lot more effective if they started providing decent coffee – something that could compete with the yummy brew I buy. But I guess you can’t have it both ways.

* horde [hɔ:rd]: 무리

ex> There are always hordes of tourists here in the summer.

* can’t have it both ways: to be unable to satisfy two incompatible conditions

ex> The investor realized she couldn’t have it both ways: she’d have to choose between growth and security.

Note> A similar expression is “you can’t have your cake and eat it, too.”

By the way, what do you spend every day on that fancy store-bought coffee of yours? The triple-frappa-macha-whatchamacallits my wife gets cost upwards of seven dollars!

* upwards of: more than

ex> A professional grade snowboard can cost upwards of five hundred dollars.

Used to spend, you mean. I can’t believe that this coffee came from the office coffeemaker. It looks like I’ll be joining you here and saving my pocket money from now on. Thanks for the heads-up, Neil!

* heads-up: information to warn someone or create new awareness

ex> Give us the heads-up when you see Mike coming, and we’ll all hide behind the curtain.

Note> If someone yells “Heads up” during a baseball game, someone is warning you about an oncoming ball.