Don't make me laugh!
Jennifer: | Hi I'm Jennifer and this is The English We Speak. In this programme, we teach you about English words or phrases which you might not find in the dictionary. Here comes Feifei. |
Feifei: | Hello Jen, hi everyone. Hey, Jen, I have some news for you. |
Jennifer: | Oh yes, what is it? |
Feifei: | I was standing next to the water cooler, when I heard the boss talking. He said that he is going to give everyone at work a holiday! For free! |
Jennifer: | A free holiday? |
Feifei: | Yes, I'm sure that's what he said. |
Jennifer: | Oh, don't make me laugh! |
Feifei: | It does sound too good to be true. Jen said: "Don't make me laugh." In English, this is something you can say when you think something is not going to happen. |
Jennifer: | And I don't think the boss is going to give us a holiday, especially a free one. The boss giving us special treats ... ? Don't make me laugh. |
Feifei: | Let's hear some more examples of this phrase. |
Feifei: So, 'don't make me laugh' is a great way to say that you think something won't happen.
Jennifer: | Like our boss giving away free holidays. So I wonder what he did mean? |
Feifei: | Oooh, here's an email from him. It says: "I'm going away for two weeks. You will all need to work extra hard during this time, and don't call meI want a work-free holiday." |
Jennifer: | You see? I told you he wouldn't give away free holidays. He wants a work-free holiday: that means he doesn't want to think about work while he's away. |
Feifei: | Oh well. It seems I didn't hear him properly. It was nice while it lasted! |
Jennifer: | So, are you planning to work 'extra hard' while he's away? |
Feifei: | Don't make me laugh! I'm not working hard, I'm going to take advantage and have a relaxing two weeks without the boss here! |
Jennifer: | That sounds like a good plan. Join us again for another edition of The English We Speak from BBC Learning English. Bye for now! |
Feifei: | Bye! |