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John Millen

'Back' isn't just a body part or a direction.  It is a very useful word. Read on to find out more.
'Back' nouns
Look at the definitions of these nouns and then use  one  to complete each dialogue.
Backlog
work that should have been finished but is still waiting to be done
Backchat
rude remarks when talking to someone in authority
Back roads
roads that are not on the main  route somewhere
Back-seat driver
a passenger in a car who keeps telling the driver how to drive
Back-stabber
someone who says bad things about you to other people behind your back
1 'I'm going to take the _____________________________ when we drive to  China on Saturday.'
'Won't that take a long time?'
'Perhaps. But there will be less traffic.'
2 'Why haven't I received a copy of my order?'
'I'm sorry. A couple of people in the office are on sick leave and there's a _____________________________of orders to send out. It will be with you next week.'
3 'I think you're stupid.'
'Please don't interrupt me.  I'm tired of all your _____________________________. Just listen to  me  when I'm speaking to you.'
4 'Did she really say all those awful things about me? She's always so nice to my face.'
'She's always like that. I thought you'd have realised that Maggie is the biggest _____________________________ in the office.'
5 'Don't drive so fast. Have you seen that pedestrian crossing? You have to stop. And watch out for those traffic lights. It's okay to drive a bit quicker now.'
'I hate having a _____________________________ in the car. Will you  please be quiet and leave the driving to me.'
Match up the meanings
What are these people really saying?
6 We'll have to go back to square one.
7 You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.
8 Pin back your ears!
9 You're making a rod for your own back.
10 I would go to hell and back for you.
11 I'm fed up to the back teeth with you.
12 Do you think I've got eyes in the back of my head?
13 I'm really going to put my back into  this project.
a. Listen very carefully!
b. You help me and I will help you.
c. I'm going to work very hard  on this project.
d. We will have to go back to the beginning and start again.
e. Do you think I know everything that is happening around me?
f. I would do absolutely anything for you.
g. You are doing something  that will cause you problems in the future.
h. I am really bored and annoyed by you.
Choices, choices!
Choose the correct  option to make the sentence make sense.
14 Why are you (calling / hanging) back? Don't be scared. The dogs just want to be friendly and won't harm you.
15 Don't you think children (call / bounce) back quicker than adults after a bad dose of flu.
16 After a couple of days, Mandy (backed / bounced) down and apologised.
17 I can't really chat on the phone now. Can I (call / talk) you back later this morning?
18 We are going to have to (cut / call) back on our spending each month. We haven't much money in the bank.
19 He's very (laid-back / sent back) at work. Nothing worries him.
Answers
1. back roads; 2. backlog; 3. backchat; 4. back-stabber; 5. back-seat driver; 6. d; 7. b; 8. a; 9. g; 10. f; 11. h; 12. e; 13. c; 14. hanging; 15. bounce; 16. backed; 17. call; 18. cut; 19 laid-back



Backchat