Conversation

Break a leg!

Photo by Sarot Meksophawannakul

If someone told you to ''break a leg,'' you would probably think that person was crazy or he doesn't like you. ''Break a leg'' is an expression people use to wish somebody good luck. Tim and Tom are cramming for their exams that will start in a couple of hours. Both friends are anxious and determined to pass. Let's hear their conversation.

Tim: Are you ready?
Tom: No!
Tim: Look at you! You're in a state of panic. Do you need any help?
Tom: Tim, I'm so confused. I don't know which formula to use for this math equation.
Tim: Let me take a look. Wait a minute. Where did this formula come from?
Tom: I don't know.  Did the teacher show us in class?
Tim: Let's ask Jim. He's good at maths.
Tom: We don't have much time. The exam is in a five minutes.  We'll just have to memorise the formula and keep our fingers crossed that it doesn't appear on the exam.
Tim: Now I don't feel so confident. I think we're in trouble.
Tom: Relax Tim. Now you're the one who's panicking.
Tim: Break a leg!
Tom: Thanks. You too!

VOCABULARY

cram (v): learn a lot of things in a short time, in preparation for an exam
anxious (adj) :feeling worried or nervous
panic (n): sudden feeling of great fear that cannot be controlled and prevents you from thinking clearly
formula (n): (mathematics) series of letters, numbers or symbols that represent a rule or law
equation (n):(mathematics) statement showing that two amounts or values are equal
confident (adj): feeling sure about your own ability to do things and be successful

EXPRESSIONS

keep our fingers crossed = hope that things will happen in the way you want them to

break a leg = good luck