Lesson 14 

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at first glance = after a quick look

At first glance, he looked similar to his brother. But now, I can see the difference.

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attend to = take care of

She had to attend to the guests in the other room.

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back and forth = go and come between two places

A: So you work in New York, but you live in Vermont?

B: Yes. I drive back and forth every weekend.

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be no use = does not change the situation

It's no use getting upset over a broken glass.

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clear-cut = easily seen; clear

It looks like we have a clear-cut winner!

That is the most clear-cut explanation of the theory I have ever heard.

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drive one crazy = make angry; bother or annoy 

He's beginning to drive me crazy.

These mosquitoes are driving me crazy!

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fed up with = sick of; at the limit of one's endurance

I'm fed up with your behavior!

She was fed up with living in such a small apartment.

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play a part in = have an effect on something; be involved with

The bad weather played a part in our decision so I canceled the picnic.

Education plays an important part in success.

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take into account = consider

He didn't take into account the possibility that the bus might be late.

A: I made reservations at the Milton Hotel for dinner.

B: Did you take into account that we only have $20!?

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turn into = become; change to

The conversation turned into an argument.

A: Your puppy really eats a lot!

B: Yes. He's going to turn into a big dog someday.

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Sometimes at my job I have to attend to work in the back of the store, like unpacking boxes or checking inventory. When someone comes in the store and they don't see anyone at first glance, they think the store is closed. Just to make it clear that I am in the store and ready to help, I put a bell on the counter. I also put a sign next to the bell that says, "Please ring the bell if you need help."

I thought the bell was a clear-cut solution to my problem, and it worked great at first. I could always hear it even if I had on headphones and was listening to music. For the first week, I never missed a customer. Unfortunately, however, my great idea didn't last long. I didn't take into account the fact that some people might enjoy ringing the bell for fun.

The bell started driving me crazy after a while. Children played a big part in this problem. They would come into the store, ring the bell, and run outside again. I had to keep running back and forth from the back of the store to the front. One day a little boy took the bell and ran around the store ringing it over and over again! I knew it was no use getting angry with the boy. He was just a child. However, I was really fed up with the bell! I threw it in a box and hid it under the counter. However, I forgot to take down the sign when I got rid of the bell. This turned into the real solution to my problem.

Now, when someone comes into the store, I know that they need help when I hear them yell, "Hey! Where is the bell?"

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