500 frases en inglés realmente útiles (La serie completa) Read Online Free PDF Page A

this, his prison sentence kept on being extended and he eventually spent 3 years in prison. When he left prison, of course he had to start from scratch as he had no job and nowhere to live. Although he was trying to make a go of his life he felt for a long time that he was taking one step forward and two steps back. He tried to get a job but because of his criminal record it was very difficult, and when he did get a job he would lose it because of his temper. It seemed at that point that he was really going nowhere in life .

    Phrases:
    To keep one’s head down: to keep out of trouble.
    Example: He never gets involved in arguments at work. He just keeps his head down and gets on with his work.

    To start from scratch: this means that you start something from the very beginning. For example if you build a house from scratch, it means that you didn’t just fix it, but started building it from the foundations.
    Example : I lost my essay, so I had to start again from scratch.

    To make a go of (something): to make a big effort to succeed.
    Example: Even though my husband and I have been having troubles in our marriage we have decided to make a go of it and try to fix the problems.

    One step forward, two steps back: this phrase is used when you feel that you are not making any progress. So even if you move forward slightly, actually you are moving backwards further.
    Example: As much as I try recently, I can’t seem to make any progress, it seems like I’m taking one step forward and two steps back.

    Going nowhere in life: to not be making progress with one’s life.
    Example: After I lost my job I really felt that I was going nowhere in life.

Part Three

    Then one night it struck him that he had to take control of his life and that his problems were caused by his anger and his temper. He would be doing fine in a job or relationship and then as soon as he came across even a small problem he would completely overstep the line and blow things out of proportion. He realised that he needed to come to terms with the fact that he had a problem, and then do something about it. From that point on he searched for ways to control his anger and finally he found out about meditation. He found that meditation helped him have more self control and be more peaceful. He studied for many years and now he is a famous teacher and travels the world helping other people. I thought that it was a very touching story.

    Phrases:
    It strikes (me)…: this means that you realise something.
    Example: It strikes me that you would be in a better position if you quit your job and went into business for yourself.

    To come across something: to encounter something.
    Example: I was looking through an old book store when I came across this book on ‘fishing’.

    To overstep the line: this is used when someone says or does something that is unacceptable. So if there is a border between what is acceptable and what isn’t, this person has crossed over from acceptable to unacceptable.
    Example: I don’t mind him criticizing me but he really stepped over the line when he started criticizing my wife.

    To come to terms with something: to accept something as the situation.
    Example: he needs to come to terms with the fact that his wife has left him and she’s not coming back .

The Birthday Party

Part One

    I was born on Christmas day, which means that I never really celebrate my birthday. Once in a blue moon I’ll go for ‘birthday’ drinks on Christmas eve with my friends but that doesn’t really count. It was worse when I was a kid because all of my friends would have parties for their birthdays but I never got the chance to have one for myself. Also I would always get ‘joint Christmas and birthday presents’ which basically meant that I would get one present instead of one for my birthday and one for Christmas. I assure you I’m not complaining and I’m happy to receive any presents at all, but when you’re a kid you really want to celebrate