1: Literal meanings

We spend money. We spend time doing something. We even spend a lot of time
spending money! The idea that time is money is very common. Here are 16
sentences - 8 literal and 8 metaphorical. Write the metaphorical sentence under
the one with the literal meaning:
a. Could you spare 5 minutes for a chat?
b. 40 minutes waiting for a bus! What a waste of time!
c. It's worth spending at least two days in Oxford.
d. You'll have to finish now. We've run out of time.
e. I'm busy today, but I can make time for you tomorrow afternoon.
f. Let's get a taxi. It'll save at least 20 minutes.
g. Venice is definitely worth a whole week.
h. I'm so busy at work. I can't afford more than a week off at a time.

1. I spent over 100 today.

2. I've been trying to save at least 10 a week all year.

3. 2000 for a holiday! What a waste of money!

4. Can you spare me 50p for a cup of tea?

5. I could manage 70 a week, but I simply can't afford 100 for a flat.

6. I've run out of cash. Is there a cash machine anywhere near here?

7. Buy a second-hand car. New ones just aren't worth the money.

8. We made over a thousand pounds at our Christmas Fair.

Note: You can say He spent his life working for the poor.

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2: Spending time
Fill in one of the following words in each space to complete the idioms:
afford waste (verb) plenty make
save ran out of spare waste (noun)
value short of precious spend
1. I've had to go the doctor about my eyes. I at least 6 hours a day
in front of my computer.
2. If you want to get to college quicker, time: don't drive, buy a bike!
3. I don't get home till 10 o'clock every night, so I the free time I have
at weekends.
4. If you're thinking of going to see the new Bond movie, don't bother. It's a
of time.
5. Sorry I wasn't able to get that book for you. I just time.
6. Can you a minute or two? I just want to ask you something.
7. I'm sorry I can't the time right now. I've got a plane to catch.
8. I work long hours so the time I spend with my family is very to me.
9. I hate airports. You so much time just queuing!
10. I think we should hurry up. We're time.
11. There's of time. Don't worry! The train doesn't leave for an hour.
12. There's no way I can the time to see you before the end of the week.

3: Revision
Complete these common expressions with words from this unit:
1.1 seem to all my time dealing with other people's mistakes.
2. I'm sorry I just can't the time at the moment.
3. Could you me a minute or two?
4. Stop your time! Get on with your work.
5. Why not ring the helpline? It'll you hours trying to solve the problem
on your own.
6. We'd better get a taxi to the station. We're of time.
Are you well-organised or do you waste a lot of time?
1: Literal meanings
In business many words are used which come from the area of fighting and war.
Use the following words to complete the definitions below:
minefields battle captures march
casualties targets flak bombard
sights surrounded reinforcements forces
1. The worst weapon used against civilians is the mine. The campaign by Princess
Diana made the clearing of an international priority.
2. When one side takes prisoners, it them.
3. Nelson was killed at the of Trafalgar.
4. Left, right, left, right. Learning to properly - in step with others
- is one of the first things you have to learn when you train as a soldier.
5. People who are killed or wounded during a battle are
6. When you learn to shoot, at first you use circular After a while.
you learn to shoot at in the shape of people.
7. If you shoot from the ground at aircraft, you use shells known as
8. If you shell a place for a very long time without stopping, you it.
9. You aim a rifle by looking through the
10. The Army, Navy, and Air Force are normally called the armed
11. If you need extra troops, they are called
12. If you have completely encircled your enemy, you have him.

2: Gaining ground
Use the following words and expressions
to complete these sentences:
reinforce
surrounded
gaining ground on
bombarded
joined forces
give up without a fight
1. Sales are up! That means we're definitely our
main competitors. They'll soon be trying to take us over!
2. It looks as if we are going to be closed down. We don't want to
so why don't we try to organise a management buy-out?
3. Our image is too old-fashioned. We need to modernise our product range in order
to our market position. Otherwise, we'll lose it!
4. It was obvious that Smiths would close down. They were by
big modern supermarkets with more buying power.
5. In order to expand in the Middle East, we've with
a company who have been working successfully in the region for over 20 years.
6. The new advertising campaign has been a huge success. We've been
with thousands of new enquiries.

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3: Keep your head down
Fill in the following words and expressions in the sentences below:
a. minefield f. taken a lot of flak
b. capture g. casualties
c. targets h. own worst enemy
d. marching orders i. set our sights on
e. keep your head down j. battle

1.I think the boss is in a bad mood. J u s t get on with your work and

2. We have a 10% increase in turnover this year.

3. Promotions and Marketing are having their usual with the
Finance Director over next year's advertising budget.

4. If you park in the Manager's space, you'll soon get your !

5. Luke was late again this morning. He's brilliant at his job, but if he's not careful,
he'll get the sack. He's his
6. If you don't set , you never know if you haven't achieved them!
7. Exporting to some countries can be a - corrupt customs officials,
endless paperwork and red tape, and slow communications.
8. Because we had to lay off 500 people, we've in the press.
9. We need a more aggressive marketing policy if we want to a
bigger share of the market. Look at Nike. They're everywhere!
10. Small businesses are always the first in a recession.

4: Revision
Fill in the missing verbs to complete these idioms:
1 ground
2 targets
3 market share
4 your sights on
5 up without a fight
6 your market position
7 a lot of flak
8 forces with
Do you know someone who is his/her own worst enemy?

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