Lesson 17

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a far cry from = very different from

It's a far cry from the kind of pizza I usually eat.

This hotel is a far cry from the last place we stayed. It's much nicer here!

The food here is a far cry from real Chinese food.

A: This beach is so dirty!

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be better off = have more opportunity, be in a nicer position

You're better off without him.

You would be better off living with your parents while you are in college.

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be out of the question = impossible; forbidden

Forget it! It's out of the question.

Don't ask me if you can go. It is out of the question.

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get through = be able to communicate with someone

I tried to call but I couldn't get through.

The storm damaged the phone line so I can't get through to my parents' house.

A: Have you gotten through to Kim yet?

B: No. The line is still busy.

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ill at ease = not comfortable

Her father made him feel ill at ease.

He always felt a little ill at ease in crowded elevators.

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in charge of = leading; controlling

Can you tell me who is in charge of cleaning the office at night?

No one was in charge of the project, so it was never completed.

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look into = investigate; check to see if something is possible

I don't know much about that subject, but I'll look into it when I have time.

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think nothing of it = It is/was no trouble. (You're 

welcome.)

Thank you! Think nothing of it.

"Thank you for helping me." "Think nothing of it."

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think up = imagine; have an idea quickly

He thought up a great idea.

He had to think up an excuse for being late.

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what's up = How are you? Hi! What's up?

A: Hi Sarah! What's up?

B: Oh, nothing much. Just waiting for the bus.

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My sister called me last week. She tried to get through to me on the phone for over an hour. I was on the Internet at the time, so my phone was busy.

I apologized, "I'm sorry, Kim. I didn't plan to use the computer for so long. I guess I wasn't keeping track of time. So, what's up?"

Kim sounded a little ill at ease when she answered, "I need your help. You know that we have moved. I wanted to have a party to meet our neighbors, but I think I invited too many people. Now I am in charge of cooking dinner for twelve people tomorrow night!"

I told Kim, "Maybe you should look into getting pizza delivered or something."

"No," Kim said. "Pizza is out of the question. Everyone is expecting a home cooked meal. Can you think up any good recipes I can try?"

I'm a far cry from a chef or anything, but I know 

how to make a few simple things that are good for parties. I told my sister how to make them.

Kim said, "Your ideas sound great, Alice! Thanks."

"Think nothing of it," I said. "But wouldn't you have been better off calling Mom for recipes?"

Kim replied, "Mom is good at cooking. Her recipes might be too hard for me. I know that if you can cook something, I can cook it."

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