1-minute Talk: Back Idioms Mum:
(Student)?!!!
(Student):
Yes, Mum?
Mum:
What are you doing?
(Student):
Watching TV. Please be quiet.
Mum:
Have you done your homework?
(Student):
No.
Mum:
When are you going to do it?
(Student):
Later. Get off my back.
Mum:
What?! Number 1, that’s very impolite. And, number 2, I am not on your back. I am on the ground.
(Student):
No, Mum. “Get off my back” just means leave me alone.
Mum:
Ooohhhhh, I understand. Well I will not get off your back. Do your homework. Now.
(Student):
OK.
Narrator:
(maybe with music) Later that day.
Mum:
(Student)! What are you doing?
(Student):
Ummmm, nothing…
Mum:
You are watching TV again! I can’t believe you were watching TV behind my back.
(Student):
Huh? I wasn’t behind your back. I was on the sofa.
Mum:
No, “behind my back” means you did it without me knowing about it.
(Student):
Oh, yes. I did. Sorry mum. Next time I will do it in front of your back.
Mum:
What? No! You won’t do it at all. Go to your room.
(Student):
Can I watch TV later?
Mum:
You scratch my back, and I’ll scratch yours.
(Student):
But my back is not itchy. And I already use a stick to scratch my back.
Mum:
No! “You scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours” means if you do something good for me, I will do something good for you.
(Student):
Oooohhhhh… ok. I will do my homework now.
Mum:
Good! Now get BACK to work.
(Student):
Okaaaaaaaay.