11 - Overtime
Language for working long hours
Someone's been working very long hours at Tip Top Trading. Anna is burning the candle at both ends - in other words she's working from early until late preparing for the launch of their latest product - the Imperial Lemon. Denise is concerned about her working overtime, something she would never consider doing. But will Anna's extra efforts pay off or will she end up selling bananas instead of lemons?
Intermediate · 160914 · 2016-09-14
Someone's been working very long hours at Tip Top Trading. Anna is burning the candle at both ends - in other words she’s working from early until late preparing for the launch of their latest product - the Imperial Lemon. Denise is concerned about her working overtime, something she would never consider doing. But will Anna's extra efforts pay off or will she end up selling bananas instead of lemons? Language for working long hours This episode explores language that describes working overtime or working long hours.
1. Burning the candle at both ends.
BBC UK: Burning the candle at both ends.
2. Doing overtime.
BBC UK: Doing overtime.
3. Putting in the hours.
BBC UK: Putting in the hours.
4. Burning out.
BBC UK: Burning out.
1. Narrator
It's late at the offices of Tip Top Trading. Anna is alone, working. Again. She's been doing this all week, she wants her presentation to Mr. Lime to be perfect so she's been spending hours and hours on it. Anna?
BBC UK: It's late at the offices of Tip Top Trading. Anna is alone, working. Again. She's been doing this all week, she wants her presentation to Mr Lime to be perfect so she's been spending hours and hours on it. Anna?
2. Anna
Don't interrupt! I'm busy.
BBC UK: Don't interrupt! I'm busy.
3. Narrator
Woah!
BBC UK: Woah!
4. Anna
Sorry.
BBC UK: Sorry.
5. Narrator
Anna, you're really burning the candle at both ends.
BBC UK: Anna, you're really burning the candle at both ends.
6. Anna
What?
BBC UK: What?
7. Narrator
Burning the candle at both ends - it means working very hard - working late and getting up early to work all the time.
BBC UK: Burning the candle at both ends – it means working very hard – working late and getting up early to work all the time.
8. Anna
Oh. I didn't know that expression.
BBC UK: Oh. I didn't know that expression.
9. Narrator
Well here are some more: You're doing overtime; which means you're working longer than office hours. You're putting in the hours; which means you are spending all the time needed to achieve something.
BBC UK: Well here are some more: You're doing overtime; which means you're working longer than office hours. You're putting in the hours; which means you are spending all the time needed to achieve something.
10. Anna
Yes, I'm putting in the hours to make sure my presentation is perfect.
BBC UK: Yes, I'm putting in the hours to make sure my presentation is perfect.
11. Narrator
And if you don't mind me saying so, you might burn out; which means you are working so hard that you might get very tired and run out of energy.
BBC UK: And if you don't mind me saying so, you might burn out; which means you are working so hard that you might get very tired and run out of energy.
12. Anna
I'm not burning out. I'm full of energy. I just need to finish this bit...
BBC UK: I'm not burning out. I'm full of energy. I just need to finish this bit...
13. Denise
My goodness, nothing's locked. Do you think we've been burgled?
BBC UK: My goodness, nothing's locked. Do you think we've been burgled?
14. Tom
Oh no! I left my lap-book and my me-pad on the desk... and my i-top - they're worth thousands! They're all the latest versions!
BBC UK: Oh no! I left my lap-book and my me-pad on the desk... and my i-top – they're worth thousands! They're all the latest versions!
15. Denise
I left out my elephant mug and my lady-curve nail file. They better not have stolen them!
BBC UK: I left out my elephant mug and my lady-curve nail file. They better not have stolen them!
16. Anna
(Talking in her sleep) but it's premium, premium, faux-orange premium!
BBC UK: (Talking in her sleep) but it's premium, premium, faux-orange premium!
17. Tom
Anna?
BBC UK: Anna?
18. Denise
It's Anna, she's asleep. Anna!
BBC UK: It's Anna, she's asleep. Anna!
19. Anna
(waking up with a jump) Oh! Lemons! Denise? Tom?
BBC UK: (waking up with a jump) Oh! Lemons! Denise? Tom?
20. Tom
Have you spent the night asleep at your desk Anna?
BBC UK: Have you spent the night asleep at your desk Anna?
21. Anna
Is it morning? Oh dear, yes I think so.
BBC UK: Is it morning? Oh dear, yes I think so.
22. Denise
Well, at least we haven't been burgled then.
BBC UK: Well, at least we haven't been burgled then.
23. Tom
Anna, you've really been burning the candle at both ends lately.
BBC UK: Anna, you've really been burning the candle at both ends lately.
24. Denise
Yes, you've been doing hours and hours of overtime. Most people get their work done within office hours and anyway, we don't pay overtime here. You’ll never find me working late!
BBC UK: Yes, you've been doing hours and hours of overtime. Most people get their work done within office hours and anyway, we don't pay overtime here. You’ll never find me working late!
25. Tom
Yes, I'd noticed that Denise.
BBC UK: Yes, I'd noticed that Denise.
26. Anna
But this presentation must be perfect.
BBC UK: But this presentation must be perfect.
27. Denise
If you're not careful, you'll burn out! Then you'll really be of no use to anyone. You'll be as useful as a chocolate teapot.
BBC UK: If you're not careful, you'll burn out! Then you'll really be of no use to anyone. You'll be as useful as a chocolate teapot.
28. Tom
It's good that you're putting in the hours Anna, but you should calm down. Look at me, I do very successful presentations without spending hours preparing.
BBC UK: It's good that you're putting in the hours Anna, but you should calm down. Look at me, I do very successful presentations without spending hours preparing.
29. Denise
Ha!
BBC UK: Ha!
30. Tom
In my presentation to Every Apple I just swooshed in with no preparation after a night on the town. I charmed them. They loved me!
BBC UK: In my presentation to Every Apple I just swooshed in with no preparation after a night on the town. I charmed them. They loved me!
31. Narrator
Idiot. I bet he actually spent hours preparing he just can't admit it.
BBC UK: Idiot. I bet he actually spent hours preparing he just can't admit it.
32. Anna
Well, maybe you're right. I can't think clearly anymore, I'm so tired. I need to sleep properly otherwise I'll end up trying to sell bananas instead of lemons.
BBC UK: Well, maybe you're right. I can't think clearly anymore, I'm so tired. I need to sleep properly otherwise I'll end up trying to sell bananas instead of lemons.
33. Narrator
Anna has finally got the message: she's realized she's been working too much. She needs to be realistic. Here's a reminder of some of the phrases we heard to talk about how much Anna had been working: Burning the candle at both ends. Doing overtime. Putting in the hours. Burning out. Let's hope she's thinking clearly by the time she has to do her presentation. Join us next time to find out! Bye.
BBC UK: Anna has finally got the message: she's realised she's been working too much. She needs to be realistic. Here's a reminder of some of the phrases we heard to talk about how much Anna had been working: Burning the candle at both ends. Doing overtime. Putting in the hours. Burning out. Let's hope she's thinking clearly by the time she has to do her presentation. Join us next time to find out! Bye.
Question
What phrase does Denise use to mean Anna will be no use to anyone?
Answer
As useful as a chocolate teapot