英文口語 Home Repair

Dave: Hi Randall. [ Hi ] Come on in.

Randall: Uh, yeah, I stopped by to see if you were still looking for a roommate to share your house.

Dave: Yeap. I sure am. Ever since I cut back on my working hours to go to school, I've been really strapped for cash.

Randall: Oh.

Dave: Hey, let me show you the place. Uh, here's the living room.

Randall: Oh. It looks like you could use a new carpet . . . and those stains?

Dave: Well. I've had a few problems with some fromer roommates. I know it needs to be cleaned, but I just don't have the money to do it right now.

Randall: Oh. And what about the kitchen?

Dave: Right this way. Look. It's completely furnished with all the latest appliances, except . . .

Randall: What?

Dave: Well, the refrigerator door is broken . . . a little bit . . . and it won't shut all the way. It needs fixing, but don't worry. I've just improvised by pushing a box against it to keep it shut.

Randall: Hmm. Great.

Dave: Ah. It isn't that bad.

Randall: Well how about the bathroom?

Dave: Well . . .

Randall: No, no. Don't tell me. The toilet is clogged or the sink has few leaks.
Dave: No, those work fine, but, uh, the tile in the shower needs to be replaced, and the window needs fixing.

Randall: Let me see. The tile . . . what? The window? Where's the window pane?

Dave: Well, that's another slight problem. I've put up a piece of cardboard to keep out the [ Hmmm ] rain and snow, and if it gets a little cold, you can always turn up the heat. Well, you used to until the central heating went out. [Oh boy.]

Randall: Hey, I think I've seen enough. I can't believe you've survived under these conditions.

Dave: So what do you think? You really can't beat a place like this for $450 a month. So it has a few problems, but we can fix those.

Randall: Uh, no thank you. I think I've seen enough.



stop by(phrasal verb): to make a short visit to a place or a person’s home, especially while you are going somewhere else.
- I’ll stop by this evening.
- Daniel stopped by the store on his way home.

all the way: Fully; totally.
- He's my brother, so I support him all the way. 
- I don't think that meat is all the way cooked yet—it's still pink in the middle.

be strapped for cash (idiom): have little money
- I'd love to help you, but I'm strapped for cash this month.

cut back on (phrasal verb) 
1. to reduce the amount, size, cost etc of somethingon 
- Several major hospitals are cutting back on staff at the moment.
- Education spending cannot be cut back any further. 
- Richer countries must do more to cut back carbon emissions.
2. to remove the top part of a plant in order to help it to grow 
- Cut back the shoots in spring to encourage bushier growth.
3. to eat, drink, or use less of something, especially in order to improve your health
- Try to cut back on foods containing wheat and dairy products.

furnished (adjective): having furniture and appliances
- I'm looking for a furnished apartment.

Right this way. 這邊請

appliances (noun): electronic devices often used in the kitchen including the stove, microwave, blender, dishwasher,and refrigerator
- This store sells excellent appliances.

all the way :
1. Fully; totally. 
- He's my brother, so I support him all the way. 
- I don't think that meat is all the way cooked yet—it's still pink in the middle.
2. The entire distance. 
- The puppy followed me all the way home.3. With all available condiments and dressings. 
- I'd like two hamburgers all the way, please.4. slang Sexual intercourse (when used with the verb "go").
- I heard they went all the way last night.

improvise (verb): to use another way of doing something to accomplish your goal
- I didn't have the right brushes to paint the living room, so I had to improvise.


window pane (noun): the glass part of the window
- The window pane in the bedroom needs replacing.


beat (verb): be better than
- I've looked around the best prices on paint, and this store beats any other place around.
- Fresh milk beats powdered milk any time.



參考來源：Home Repair