Korean Job Discussion Forums

The Bobster · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Planning a lesson around this, for some advanced-level students of mine ... can you think of any I have missed? There's gotta be several ...

Put your cards on the table = show me what you have, with candor and honesty.

You bet! = We agree, wholeheartedly.

I have an Ace in the hole (or up my sleeve) = I have more resources at my disposal than you know about.

Put up or shut up = Prove you are serious by showing us what you have, or else stop talking about it. In other words, give proof of what you say. (Actually, this explanation might be a little convoluted for L2 learners, and it's why I'm asking for help.)

I'm calling your bluff = I think you are telling less than the truth, so show me something to make me think what you say is true. (Actually, the whole concept of "bluff" strikes me as a big job to get across even to advanced L2 learners ... again, some help?)

I'm laying my cards on the table = I'm going to be completely honest with you.

The cards are stacked against you = There are a lot of disadvantages in your situation and I'm not sure you will be able to overcome them.

You hit the jackpot = You won, bigtime.

You're on a winning streak = You are are having many successes in a short period of time

The dice are loaded against you = You have a lot of obstacles to face, and you might not win. (Loaded dice" means ones that not honest, that are shaped a little bit off or carry some weight on one side so that some numbers come up more often than others. If you know the dice are not "square," you can make bets accordingly, but if you don't ...)

When the chips are down ... = The money is on the table and the risks are about to pay off or fail. In other words, you've made your choice and are taking your chances, so we'll all see what happens next.

You're on a winning streak = You can't fail.

Tell me some more, if they occur to you.

Hey, this is the fun part of teaching, so let's treat it that way, like a game. Sorry, I can't give any prizes, though. Just a smile and a thank you.

Here's a smile to start you off ... Very Happy

bobbybigfoot · Joined: 05 May 2007 Location: Seoul

I'm tapped out = I lost all my money gambling

Unfu*kingbelievable = what you inevitably will hear someone say over and over should they continue to gamble

Hope this helps Wink

TheBrain · Joined: 10 Apr 2007 Location: Acme Lab

How many do you need?

close to the vest (holding cards)- means don't let others know your plans or what you're thinking

poker face Wink

craps or crap out- lose

passport220 · Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Location: Gyeongsangbuk-do province

�It�s a crap shoot� - Outcome can not be determined, only a matter of luck
�I�m all in!� - I am 100% committed (becoming popular due to recent popularity of no limit holdem)
�Lousy, no good, Four Flusher� - a liar (not sure why this one came to mind - only person I can think of who uses it is Yosemite Sam)

ChuckECheese · Joined: 20 Jul 2006

I'm folding.

Let it ride.

Hit me.

Tokki1 · Posted: Thu May 17, 2007 2:42 pm Post subject:

double down
blow your wad
'stake' someone
bet the farm
chop off someone's leg (at a poker table)
call someone's bluff
call a spade a spade
have the cards stacked against you
play the trump card
under the table
playing it close to the chest/vest
chip in
give a fair shake
get the upper hand
play into someone's hands Wink

throw your hand in
lose your shirt
limp in
spin the wheel
roll the bones
sweating bullets (I guess you could use emotion/mood idioms as well)

Mosley · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

It's too rich for my blood=I can't afford to stake more; I'm folding

hubba bubba · Joined: 24 Oct 2006

You gotta know when to hold them, know when to fold em.

And somewhere in the darkness, the gambler he broke even....

Just play "The Gambler" by Kenny Rogers. You gotta make that part of the class.

The Bobster · Joined: 15 Jan 2003

Delirium's Brother · Posted: Fri May 18, 2007 11:43 am Post subject:

ante up = "pay a debt"

iiicalypso · Joined: 13 Aug 2003 Location: is everything

The chips are down.

Long shot.

God, I miss the greyhound races...

tomato · Posted: Sat May 19, 2007 12:32 am Post subject:

A student in my high school biology class had straight A's in the teacher's grade book,
so the teacher said she had a "full house."

In art appreciation class, we saw a picture of a soldier wounded in battle,
so the teacher said that he looked like he was about ready to "cash in the chips."

How about "good deal" and "raw deal"?
Shall we count those as gambling metaphors?

UMPhilthy · Joined: 15 Nov 2006 Location: Nowon-gu

'A student in my high school biology class had straight A's in the teacher's grade book,
so the teacher said she had a "full house."'

In this case, your Biology Teacher would be sorely mistaken as to the nature of a basic poker hand. You should call and ask him/her if three of a kind beats two pair(s)... (it is funnier if you say pairs, which is incorrect).

tomato · Posted: Sat May 19, 2007 5:18 am Post subject:

How about the TV sitcom by that name?
Would you call that a full house?

JongnoGuru · Joined: 25 May 2004 Location: peeing on your doorstep