Como digo em inglês: Ele começou a mil por hora

By Ana | Podcast Inglês Online

Jun 07
Como digo em inglês Ele começou a mil por hora

O podcast de hoje como dizer em inglês “Ele começou a mil por hora” e outras expressões.

Transcrição

Hi, how’s it going? This is Ana Luiza with a new episode of the inglesonline podcast. To download or just listen to other episodes and download transcripts, go to inglesonline.com.br and click Podcast Inglesonline.

Today I was inspired by a sketch I watched on Saturday Night Live the other day. Saturday Night Live is a long-running sketch comedy show that has been on TV for several years. Sketch comedy show is… well, Casseta e Planeta is a sketch comedy show, TV Pirata was a sketch comedy show. I think some sketches are funny and some aren’t, but overall I like Saturday Night Live. OK, so from now on, I’m gonna say only SNL, OK? SNL stands for Saturday Night Live.

So the other day I saw an old SNL sketch where one of the actors played George W. Bush, back when he was President of the US, and a journalist asked President Bush what his plans were for Iraq. Bush basically said that he didn’t know, but was considering the possibility of restoring Saddam Hussein into power. And remember, this is a comedy show and this sketch is old! So Bush said he was considering putting Saddam Hussein in charge again. After all, he said, Saddam is experienced and he would hit the ground running.

Listen again: Saddam is an experienced guy, and he would hit the ground running. Hit the ground running… what does that mean? When someone hits the ground running, let’s say, on their first day at a new job, it means this person is ready! For example, let’s say today is Jack’s first day on his new job as a sales director for an insurance company. Jack is a very experienced manager and he’s worked in the insurance industry for two decades. So he doesn’t need any training because he knows everything there is to know about the business. He knows the ins and outs of this job. He knows the ropes. Again: he knows the ins and outs of this job. He knows the ropes. That means he knows what the job is, he knows what he has to do, he knows how it works, he knows the details, the secrets, the mechanics of the job.

So what happened to Jack on his first day at the new job? He hit the ground running. He got there at 8 o’clock, called a meeting with all his new employees and one hour later he was on the phone talking to some big clients. After that he had a private meeting with each and every one of his employees where they discussed what was being done and how they could improve their work. Jack definitely hit the ground running, right? He hit the ground running.

Jack knows the ropes. He didn’t need anyone to show him the ropes. When someone starts a new job, usually they need a more experienced person to show them the ropes. This is a very common expression. Every time you start in a new position, even if it’s a volunteer position, it’s great when there’s someone to show you the ropes. You know, every office, every organization has their own way of doing things. You have to know where they keep important documents, how to use the software system, how to use the company intranet… the ropes.

So if you get hired by a company where everyone speaks English, someone may tell you on your first day: Hi, I’d like to introduce you to Silvia. She’s gonna be your mentor in your first two moths. She’s very experienced and she’s been with us for eight years. She will show you the ropes.

So what are your examples? When you started in your current job… Who showed you the ropes? Do you know all the ins and outs of your activity? Are you an expert? Let us know in the comments. Talk
to you next time!

 

Key expressions

  • hit the ground running
  • ins and outs
  • the ropes

 

Glossary

long-running = já dura há muito tempo

back when he was = lá quando ele era

Ana

HELLO ANA HOW IS IT GOING? I´M VERRY WELL, I JUST WANT TEL YOU THAT YOUR BROADCASTS IS VERY NICE TO ME ,NOW I´M LEARNING ENGLISH ACROS YOU, BUT I´VE MORE TO LEARN,BUT NOW I JUST THANKFUL ENGLISH ON LINE. BYE…!
LUCAS

HELLO ANA HOW IS IT GOING? I´M VERRY WELL, I JUST WANT TEL YOU THAT YOUR BROADCASTS IS VERY NICE TO ME ,NOW I´M LEARNING ENGLISH ACROS YOU, BUT I´VE MORE TO LEARN,BUT NOE I JUST THANKFUL ENGLISH ION LINE. BYE…!
LUCAS

Ana Luiza 19/06/2011

Hi, everyone! Obrigada pelos comentários smile Love reading them.

Raquel Barbosa 17/06/2011

Oi Ana Luiza, estou muito impressionada com a qualidade do site e dos seus posts. Os podcasts são ótimos, com expressões que não conseguimos aprender em qualquer lugar. Parabéns, abraços, Raquel

Karoliny Pozan 13/06/2011

Hi Ana, I video called my American friend last Sat. As we were talking about new jobs and career I used the ‘show me the ropes’ expression. My friend was very impressed with my improved English. She knows how hard I’ve been working on this matter. Of course I am very thankful to Ingles Online that has been doing a great job teaching new words and expressions and clearly showing how to use them. Keep going!!

Eric 13/06/2011

Hi Ana, I have no words to say how I’m grateful for all podcast that you have posted to help us to improve our english! Thank you!!

Ramires Fernandes - English World 13/06/2011

Hello Ana, I`ve just discovered your website, and it`s fantastic. You`re creative, smart and maybe you`ve got a very new way of studing English. I have some English schools and I recommended it in class. Congratulations…I have some topics to `share`,if you`re interested…let me now..Hugs dear….

fabiana 12/06/2011

eu nao gostei eu odiem gdh

raquel lima silva 12/06/2011

eu gostei o e um jeito de fala em lgles

Lucas 09/06/2011

Hi Ana!!! I listened your podcast just once, and love it!! Congratulations!!! I was researching for English site which has it high quality of studying language!! Your podcast is my favorite

Mauricio Becker 09/06/2011

Ana, você é fantástica meus parabens

Manda um email para mim tenho umas idéias bacanas que gostaria de compartilhar com voce. Tenho muitos amigos americanos no msn, e queria trocar uma idéia tmb contigo

Se possivel me manda um email e eu te passo meu msn

Obrigado

Mauricio Becker

Gil Gomes 08/06/2011

Mesmo após um tempo sem entrar no Inglês online, da para ver que a qualidade dos posts não caíram em nenhum aspecto; parabéns pelo trabalho Ana (haha te tanto ouvir os podcasts já até parece que somos íntimos ao ponto de te chamar de Ana kkk).

Gleison Celente 08/06/2011

Hi Ana, how are the things going? Ana, I guess it would be nice if you did a podcast about the expression “são seus olhos”, you know? I mean, when someone says something nice about you, you say in Portuguese “são seus olhos”, I don’t know if there is an expression that means that. Valentine’s Day is coming and I think it maybe could be usual in this occasion.
Ok, now my example about this podcast:
When I started at my job, I was 18 yars old and it was my first job. I thought it would be so hard, because it’s an internacional company, however since the first day my co-workers were so helpful that it became so easy and a great experience. I had been working there for two and a half years and I am helping my new co-workers to be use to our ropes. bye

Carina 08/06/2011

Hi Ana!

Great Podcast! A year ago, I was exactly in this position, learning the ropes! My mentor was my boss and we have a good relationship! I’m’ not an expert yet but I really like my job!

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