Talking about Bad Habits
Alex and Robert are talking about bad habits and how to overcome them…
Alex: Robert, what’s up? You seem nervous about something?
Robert: I am… I’m a bundle of nerves! I’m trying to write an essay, but my mind has gone
blank. I can’t think of anything else except tomorrow’s driving test. How could you tell?
Alex: Because you’ve been really quiet all morning and you’re biting your nails too…
Robert: When I get really nervous, I start biting my nails and I don’t even realise that I’m
doing it! I’ve had this habit since I was young, and I can’t get rid of it!
Alex: Yeah, I noticed that. It’s hard to break a bad habit. I should know… My bad habit is
procrastinating. It’s the number one thing that I hate about myself. When I know I have
something to do, I always put it off until the last minute or the night before…
Robert: Really? I would never have thought the smartest person in the class would say that
he procrastinates! You always hand in the assignments on time, and you do really well too!
Alex: We all have our flaws… I’m not really aware of how I react in stressful situations
either.
Robert: Actually, I’ve noticed that you tap your fingers when you get nervous.
Alex: Really? I’ve never noticed that! I have an idea… what if we keep an eye on each other
and watch out for any bad habits. Then, we can point them out to each other and make a
conscious effort to stop them – that makes sense, right?
Robert: Yeh, that’s a really good idea! I’m in!
PHRASAL VERBS
Phrasal verb | Meaning | Example sentence | Categories |
|---|---|---|---|
To put away something | To store things where they are usually kept. | Please put away your toys when you’re finished with them. | Daily Life |
To hang something up | To stop using something because you are no longer doing the activity or sport. | After the final fight of his career, he hung up his boxing gloves. | Daily Life |
To hang up | To end a phone conversation | I couldn’t hear him on the phone so I hung up. | Daily Life |
To put up with something or somebody | To accept or continue to accept and unpleasant situation. | I can put up his room being messy but I can’t put up with him leaving a mess around the house. | Daily Life |
To get up to | 1. To do something. 2. To do something that others would disapprove of. | 1. What did you get up to on holiday? 2. The children have been getting up to mischief recently. | Daily Life |