Phrasal verbs and idioms in context - Lession 3: Giancarlo

PHRASAL VERBS AND IDIOMS IN CONTEXT ~ 03
GIANCARLO
 Giancarlo had been working in the auditing company for just over a month and was enjoying his job more than he could possibly have imagined. He was also making rapid progress. He’d been assigned various tasks and had been asked to take on an important project with a thirty-day deadline.
 ‘Do you feel up to the task?’ his boss Mr Spampinato had asked.
 ‘Of course I do,’ Giancarlo had replied. ‘I’ve always loved a really good challenge.’
 ‘Here you are then. Bring me the final results in thirty days’ time.’
 ‘Okay Mr Spampinato. I won’t let you down. Even if I have to work night and day, I’ll make sure I meet the deadline.’
 Three days later there was a knock on Mr Spampinato’s door.
 ‘Come in’, he called.
 Mr Spampinato was a large, burly, good natured Sicilian man.
 ‘Here’s the project Mr Spampinato.’
 ‘Bring it to me once it’s completed,’ was his reply.
 ‘I’ve already completed it.’
 ‘You can’t have. It’s impossible. I only gave it to you a few days ago.’
 ‘Nothing’s impossible when you put your mind to it Mr Spampinato.’
 ‘Ok, leave it with me and I’ll call you once I’ve gone over it.’
 Mr Spampinato, as good natured as he was, was not at all happy. To complete such a large project in such a short space of time could only mean one thing – shoddy work. He sat back in his large padded swirling chair and read it through.
 ‘How on earth had he been able to complete it so quickly – and to such perfection?’ The boy was a genius. He went over it again. He recognized that this was a boy worth his weight in gold; someone who would be of great value to the company.
 Giancarlo was promoted and given a salary increase. Mr Spampinato could not risk this young man being snapped up by another employer. Word got round the auditing company. Giancarlo became a bit of a hero and was lapping up all the attention.
 He had the attention of all the girls but there was one in particular. Her name was Gianna. He’d seen Gianna in the passing and couldn’t help but notice her beauty and elegance She was tall, slim and there was something in the way she moved. She dressed with such feminine elegance. She reminded him of Isabella Rossellina in her younger days.
 Now everywhere he turned she seemed to be there. Gianna hadn’t failed to notice Giancarlo. He was tall in height and excessively lean making him appear to be considerably taller than he actually was. His eyes were small and bead-like with an air of intelligence and determination as he peered over his glasses to observe anyone who entered his office. His prominent chin and eagle shaped nose gave the impression of a sharp minded person – in short, as a whole he was quite a fascinating character. Gianna observed his crisp white shirts – never without cuff-links – something not so common nowadays.
 Of late, Gianna had been day-dreaming about how wonderful it would be to have a boyfriend who had some goals in life. And when word got round about his promotion and how much of a genius he was, that’s when Gianna had the idea – to make him hers. He soon became the object of her affection.
 Gianna was doing an internship and would be working in the company for another ten weeks then what would happen to her? She cringed at the mere thought of going back to her small town close to Naples. Of course she missed her mamma and papa but she was happy in Rome especially now that she was far away from Sergio. She felt safe and didn’t have to keep looking over her shoulder every time she left the house. Giancarlo was everything that Sergio wasn’t.
 She needed a real man in her life. Someone who could protect her like papa had always done; someone like Giancarlo – a provider, a man with some substance.
 Sergio was a layabout who did nothing all day every day. He was angry, aggressive and dangerous. She shuddered when she thought back to that awful day when he’d attacked her so viciously.
 Papa had never approved of the slob Sergio and would be ever so proud of his daughter were she to introduce him to a real man like Giancarlo. 
 So that was that. Gianna started to make herself look even more attractive than what she was. The dresses got shorter and she’d turn up for work wearing lipstick and eye make-up to highlight her beautiful green eyes. Giancarlo had tried to put her to the back of his mind. After all, he had a girlfriend back in his hometown. They’d been together for seven years and she’d be joining him in Rome in the not too distant future. She’d struck it lucky when one of the teaching positions she’d applied for had come up.
 As the days went by Giancarlo was becoming even more drawn to Gianna than ever. She’d look him in the eye with that “come on” look that sent him into a mad frenzy.
 Soon he was visualizing her in his arms kissing him passionately. At night lying in bed he’d flush with excitement and pleasurable tingles would ripple through his whole body at the mere thought of her. 
 It wasn’t long before they were going for lunch together. It was blissful to be in each other’s company and they got on like a house on fire. Things progressed pretty quickly and soon the inevitable happened. They found themselves in each others’ arms kissing with a burning passion. It was as though they’d been made for each other. Gawd! She was full of sex appeal. It oozed out of every pore of her body.
 It was almost coincidental that they were from neighbouring towns on the outskirts of Naples. Was this a destiny thing? He was thankful that they didn’t come from the same town. That would have made a complicated situation even more complicated. But then again, had they come from the same town he’d have already met her long before now. Gianna knew nothing about Maria. Giancarlo hadn’t had the guts to even mention her name. He had absolutely no wish to jeopardize this passionate relationship he had with Gianna.
 He was due to go back to his hometown that weekend but was unable to tear himself away from the beautiful Gianna. He remained in Rome. It was a weekend of absolute bliss.
 They strolled hand in hand around the historic centre and had their photograph taken at one of the fountains in the stupendous Piazza Navona and threw some coins in the spectacular Trevi fountain. They kissed to the sound of its gushing waters and stopped only to admire the triumphant example of Baroque art.
 Back in Giancarlo’s hometown Maria was in a panic. Wasn’t Giancarlo supposed to be coming down for the weekend? She tried to phone him but his mobile was switched off. She sent messages and only after four hours did he reply. The message said: Tired, too much work. See you soon.
 Next morning Maria got up and made her way to the house next door. She rang Giancarlo’s parents’ doorbell and his father Roberto answered the door.
 “Buon giorno” - good morning Roberto. Has Giancarlo been in touch by chance?’
 ‘Yes he has as a matter of fact. He phoned to say he’s too tired to travel down this weekend.’
 ‘Did he mention coming next weekend?’
‘He didn’t say but I suppose he will be coming.’
 Maria thought about catching a train to Rome but her parents talked her out of it.
 ‘There’s no point in going yet. Don’t try to suffocate the boy,’ her father said. ‘He’s only been gone for two months and he did come down to visit two weekends ago. If the boy’s tired then let him rest. Anyway you’ll be joining him in three weeks time so try to have a bit of patience. You’ll chase him away at this rate.’
***
 On Sunday night Giancarlo lay in bed, his mind in a turmoil. He’d spent the most fantastic weekend with Gianna. What the hell was he going to do about Maria? She’d be joining him in Rome at the end of the month. He’d selfishly half hoped she wouldn’t get any of the jobs she’d applied for but she’d been lucky and had been accepted for a teaching position shortly after she’d applied. She’d called him excitedly on the phone and he’d tried his best to sound happy for her.
 What was he to do? Should he finish with her before she arrived? Where would she stay when she arrived in Rome? The plan had been that he’d find a flat and she’d join him. He couldn’t not let her stay. Both their families would intervene. He could imagine her father’s disappointment in him as he sought an explanation.
 He felt he was no longer in love with her. ‘To love’ and ‘to be in love’ were two entirely different things. Maria was an intelligent level headed sweet girl. She’d always been there for him through thick and thin and was also very pretty with her luscious long dark hair, dark skin and hazel eyes. Everyone had told him how lucky he was to have such a girl.
 Would leaving Maria for Gianna be the right thing to do? Would he live to regret it? They’d shared seven years of their lives. They’d been together since they were eighteen years of age but had known each other since they were children.
 His life was completely disrupted. His mind went back to the year before when it’d been so very nice and orderly.
 He visualised Maria shouting and screaming.
 ‘You can’t leave me Giancarlo. We love each other.
 He shuddered. How devastated she would be to find out about Gianna, or maybe it would be better if she never found out although she would eventually as there would come a time when they’d meet face to face in the town. He couldn’t not visit his parents ever again. Maria’s family would ask questions that he’d find extremely difficult to answer. What a mess he was in. What a goddam mess!
 He desperately needed advice. He didn’t know who to turn to. That night he put a message up on a blog post. He needed help to decide what to do. He felt torn between both girls. He created a nickname. The blog post read:
Tornbetweentwolovers-3 hours ago
I’ve been in a steady relationship for seven years but recently fell for a girl who I am head over heels with. Should I leave my current girlfriend for the new girl? The whole thing is doing my head in. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
 He waited and waited and then after an hour or so the replies started coming in. He read them all carefully and was more confused than ever.
Anonymous -5 mins ago
Dear Tornbetweentwolovers
If you decide to split up with your girlfriend, you should do so because your relationship has come to its natural end. Do not leave her just because you’ve met someone else.
Lovelesslarry -4 mins ago
Dear Tornbetweentwolovers
If you do decide to embark on a new relationship, you should stay single for a period of time to get over your current girlfriend before starting a new relationship. Aren’t you jumping the gun a bit? You haven’t known this girl long enough to really know her.
Stanley 4 mins ago
Dear Tornbetweentwolovers
You need to see this from your girlfriend's point of view. If I were her I would want to know the truth. It's not fair to string her along. Maybe you have just got so used to being with each other, you know, feeling comfortable with each other like a pair of old slippers. If you have such deep feelings for another girl then it means you are not in love with your girlfriend.
Doyoubelieveinlifeafterlove-3 mins ago
Dear Tornbetweentwolovers
If you do decide to stay with your girlfriend then you must cut all ties with the other girl. It's your choice. At the end of the day nobody but yourself can decide what to do.
Fromrussiawithlove-3 mins ago
Dear Tornbetweentwolovers
If I were your girlfriend I’d rather get dumped than cheated on. Do what you have to do but do not two-time. It’ll just screw your head up.
Allforoneandoneforall-2 mins ago
Dear Tornbetweentwolovers
Good luck.
Listentoyourheart-2 mins ago
Dear Tornbetweentwolovers
Follow your heart.
Betruetoyourself-1 min ago
Dear Tornbetweentwolovers
It happens all the time. It’s just human nature. Just don’t act on it.
Mrheartbreaker-1 min ago
Dear Tornbetweentwolovers
It's a decision only you and you alone can make. But in my opinion, don't be afraid to end things with your current girl and pursue the new one if that is what truly feels right. There's no easy, perfect solution to this situation. Just don't cheat on the girl who has been loyal and faithful to you for seven years. That wouldn’t be fair on her.
Nobodyseverhappy -30 seconds ago
The grass is always greener on the other side.
The great pretender -10 seconds ago
Go for it.
It sounds to me that the only reason you haven’t told your current girlfriend is because you feel like you owe her something for sticking around for seven years.
She isn’t your wife. You don’t have children and nowhere did you talk about how great she is. Sounds to me like you’d regret passing up this opportunity.
ThatswhatIcallove – 1 second ago
Be honest with your girlfriend. I’m sure she’ll understand. Whatever you do don’t try to sail two boats at once or you’ll drown.
***
GLOSSARY – PHRASAL VERBS
Act on (something) – carry out/put into effect/do
Be snapped up – be quickly taken
Be switched off – have the flow of energy, needed to make a device function, deactivated
Break up (with someone) – end a relationship, usually a romantic one or a business partner
Chase (something or something) away – forcefully cause to go/leave
Cheat on (somebody) – to be unfaithful in a husband/wife, boyfriend/girlfriend relationship
Come in – enter
Come to – reach
Come up – become available/arise/materialise
Embark on (something) – begin something that is new to you, something exciting such as a journey, a project or a new relationship
Fall for – be attracted to or infatuated with
Feel up to (something) – feel adequately prepared and with the will to do something
Find out – obtain information/discover/become informed or aware of
Get over – overcome a difficult moment
Get up – leave the bed or stand up from a sitting position
Go by – pass
Go over – (the project) examine
Lap up – to very happily accept praise, attention, admiration and adoration/smugly accept attention
Let (someone) down – disappoint
Read (something) through – examine by reading
Split up with (someone) – end a relationship
Stick around – remain/stay
String (someone) along – to use a person for one’s own gain and mislead him/her into thinking you have serious intentions
Switch off – interrupt the flow of energy needed to make a device function
Take on – (an important project) undertake something a task/duty involving responsibility
Talk (someone) out of (something) – persuade someone not to do something
Tear (oneself) away from (something or someone) – reluctantly leave a place or person or stop doing something which you strongly desire to continue doing
Turn up – appear/arrive
***
GLOSSARY – IDIOMS AND EXPRESSIONS
A come on look – a gaze exhibiting sexual desire
A layabout – a lazy person who does nothing all day every day
After all – reinforces and supports what was said before by giving an additional reason
At the end of the day – ultimately, in the end after everything is taken into consideration
At this rate – if things continue the way they are/if you continue with what you are doing
Be fair on (someone) – do a justly act to someone
Be head over heels – be deeply in love with
Be worth (one’s) weight in gold – to be of extreme value
But then again – this has a similar meaning to ‘if you really think about it’ and is used as an afterthought
Cut all ties with (someone) – stop all relations with/have no more contact
Do (one’s) head in – cause to go crazy or to really annoy (colloquial English)
Get dumped – be abandoned (colloquial English)
Get on like a house on fire – have a great relationship
Go for it – grab the opportunity while you can without hesitating
Have the guts – have the courage
How on earth? – used to emphasise shock or surprise
Jump the gun – do something before the time is right/act prematurely
Just over – a little bit more than
Make (one’s) way – go or come from one place to another or to one place
from another place
Meet the deadline – finish a job by a pre-established time
Pass up (an opportunity) – allow an opportunity to slip away
Point of view – opinion
Put (one’s) mind to (something) – apply oneself to something with great
determination and concentration
Put (someone or something) to the back of (one’s) mind – not to think about
someone or something anymore
Sail two boats at once – try to balance two equations at the same time
Screw (one’s) head up – cause to become crazy
See (someone) in the passing – casually and fleetingly see a person when
going from A to B and B to A
Shoddy work – work done badly
That was that/that is that – end of discussion/decision made
The grass is always greener on the other side – other situations or other people’s lives usually appear to be better than our own
There's no point – it's useless, it’s a waste of time
Through thick and thin – through good times and bad times
Two time – have a romantic relationship with two people at the same time. A person who two times is known as 'a two timer