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Walking on Eggshells

Learn English meaning of ‘walking on eggshells’

Date: Aug 23 2016

Themes: Friend, Soap Opera, Work

Grammar: It's vs. Its

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Intro

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flower
game

2. Read and Prepare - Read the introduction and prepare to hear the audio.

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How do you feel at school, at work, or even in your home? Are you totally relaxed, or is there someone there who makes you feel nervous? Sometimes, you will meet people you don’t understand. Maybe, they are really intense, or perhaps they tell you what to do too often. It can be difficult to get along with these people, and you might feel like you’re walking on eggshells all the time.

We use the expression “walking on eggshells” to talk about situations that make us feel uncomfortable. When you feel this way, you don’t know how to act. This feeling happens when you think another person doesn’t like you. You might want to be nice to them, but you don’t know how. In this situation, you may be afraid that they will get mad at you. You feel like you need to be very careful all the time… almost like you are walking on top of fragile eggshells.

Dominique wants to plan a party for Sheila, but Jordin isn’t excited about this. Find out why she is walking on eggshells in today’s soap opera.

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Dialog

1. Listen and Read - Listen to the audio and read the dialog at the same time.

2. Study - Read the dialog again to see how the vocab words are used.

Dominique

Jordin

Dominique: OK, I think we need a cake. What type of cake do you think Sheila would like?

Jordin: I don’t know.

Dominique: OK, whatever looks fun and festive. And candles. That’d be fun, right? She’d like candles?

Jordin: I don’t know.

Dominique: One candle? Let’s do one candle. Make sure it’s fun. Flowers? I love flowers. Let’s get her some flowers. I feel so bad, she’s been working really hard. What type of flowers do you think she’d like?

Jordin: I don’t know.

Dominique: Well, something fun…

Jordin: And festive?

Dominique: Exactly. Hey, are you OK?

Jordin: I don’t know.

Dominique: What’s going on? Is something happening between you and Sheila?

Jordin: OK. Honestly?

Dominique: I thought you two got along.

Jordin: We do. I mean, kind of. Not really. I feel like I’m walking on eggshells around her. She makes me nervous. I feel like she’s going to get mad at me at any moment.

Dominique: Sheila can be intense. Would this have anything to do with Andy?

Jordin: What about Andy?

Dominique: Well, it’s no secret that you like him.

Jordin: It’s not?

Dominique: Sorry.

Jordin: Oh. Well… I mean, I think that’s something different. I just think that Sheila sees me as “Intern” and not as Jordin.

Dominique: I see. I didn’t know this. I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable at the office. Maybe, we can set up a meeting with Sheila next week. I want everyone to feel comfortable at work and not like they’re walking on eggshells.

Jordin: Thanks.

Dominique: Of course. OK, how about games for the party? What do you think Sheila would like?

Jordin: Something festive?

Dominique: Perfect!

Grammar Point

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Quizzes

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Lesson MP3

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Discussion

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Dominique is getting excited about Sheila’s surprise party. She wants Jordin to help her make a list of things for the party. She’s trying to get Jordin’s help because she needs ideas for cake, candles, and flowers to give Sheila. However, Jordin isn’t really listening. In fact, she is acting like she doesn’t want to have a party for Sheila.

Dominique asks her what’s wrong. Jordin tells her that Sheila makes her feel like she is walking on eggshells. Dominique asks if this is because Jordin likes Andy, and Andy likes Sheila. Jordin is surprised. She didn’t think anyone knew she liked Andy. However, she says that she feels nervous around Sheila for other reasons. Dominique says that they should have a meeting together because she wants everyone to feel comfortable at Travel Bug.

When did you feel like you were walking on eggshells? Do you sometimes feel nervous at work or school?

Comments

allenzhaojl

China

I’ve never felt like I was walking on eggshells. But I think it must be so hard.

no1bell

China

Though the phrase makes one nervous, let’s have a positive look at it. With the feeling of walking on eggshells can keep you act prudently and think twice before you leap.To understand turning these negetives, such as fears, nerves, restlessness,etc.,into respects.I seem the wording as office motto, which helps go the right way.