Level 1 - 1.05 Drag (Audio)

HIGH PRICE OF MOM'S HELP IS DRAG ON FAMILY BUSINESS
DEAR ABBY:

• Twenty years ago, my sister and I bought a business from our mother. We all love and respect one another and get along well. We will be finished paying off the business in two years.

• Our problem: Mom, who is now 77, still draws a salary from us  above and beyond the payment for the business. Her workload has  lessened greatly, as it should. She could do all of her work in one day and lessen the  burden of her salary. However, she says she'd "go crazy" if she retired. We don't want that. She could still come in as often as she wants and do her personal paperwork, banking, letter-writing, reading, etc.  These are all things she does at "work" --  on the clock .
• If we try to discuss this, Mom gets hurt and says, "Just let me know when I'm not worth the money." We don't want to do that. We would hope she would see the fairness of this and suggest it herself.
• Business expenses are  going through the roof , and there are  updates we should make, 
• but we can't do it as long as we are paying Mom at the level we are, on top of the money for the buy-out .(Nhưng làm sao được chừng nào chúng tôi vẫn phải trả lương cho Mẹ với mức lương hiện nay đang trả, thêm vào với khoản tiền sang nhượng cửa tiệm.)

-- DAUGHTERS DEAREST
Paying off :   finish paying
pay someone off. 

1. Lit. to pay what is owed to a person. I can't pay you off until Wednesday when I get my paycheck. I have to use this money to pay off Sarah.

2. Fig. to bribe someone. Max asked Lefty if he had paid the cops off yet. Lefty paid off the cops on time.

See also: pay

pay something off

to pay all of a debt; to pay the final payment for something bought on credit. This month I'll pay the car off. Did you pay off the gas bill yet?

See also: pay

pay off

to yield profits; to result in benefits. My investment in those stocks has really paid off. The time I spent in school paid off in later years.

draws a salary :
to draw one's salary — lĩnh lương

above and beyond : plus more
(something) more than is required; greater than the required amount. (*Typically: be ~; go ~.) The English teacher helped students after school every day, even though it was beyond the call of duty.
above and beyond something

more than The support given to us by the police was above and beyond what we could have expected. She doesn't receive any extra money, above and beyond what she's paid by the council. The number of hours she puts into her job is definitely above and beyond the call of duty. (= more than is expected of her)

 
burden: something difficult you must do or something you must carry

lessen: getting smaller

on the clock: when you are working,during the work time,during the time you are paid

workload: how much work you do at work

expense :
(k-spns)

1.

a. Something spent to attain a goal or accomplish a purpose: an expense of time and energy on the project.

b. A loss for the sake of something gained; a sacrifice: achieved speed at the expense of accuracy.

2. An expenditure of money; a cost: an improvement that was well worth the expense; a trip with all expenses paid.

3. expenses

a. Charges incurred by an employee in the performance of work: was reimbursed for her travel expenses.

b. Informal Money allotted for payment of such charges.

4. Something requiring the expenditure of money: Redecorating the house will be a considerable expense.

5. Archaic The act of expending.

tr.v. ex·pensed, ex·pens·ing, ex·pens·es

1. To charge with expenses.

2. To write off as an expense.

Idiom:

at (one's) expense

To one's detriment or chagrin: telling jokes at my expense.

 going through the roof :

      

1. Fig. Inf. to become very angry. She saw what had happened and went through the roof. My father went through the roof when he saw what I did to the car.

2. Fig. Inf. [for prices] to become very high. These days, prices for gasoline are going through the roof. The cost of coffee is goingthrough the roof.

 
updates
on top of  idiom

1. In control of.

2. Fully informed about: a senator who is always on top of the issues.

3. In addition to; besides: On top of this, several other benefits are being offered.

4. Following closely on; coming immediately after: Hail came on top of a violent thunderstorm.

 The buyout
 (bout)

n.

1. The purchase of the entire holdings or interests of an owner or investor.
khoản mua toàn bộ cổ phần hoặc lợi ích của chủ sở hữu hoặc nhà đầu tư 

2. The purchase of a company or business: "If the workers do approve the buyout, their company will become the nation's largest employee-owned enterprise" (Harry Anderson).

DEAR ABBY : Tâm sự

as long as

conj.

1. During the time that: I'll stay as long as you need me.

2. Since: As long as you've offered, I accept.

3. On the condition that: I will cooperate as long as I am notified on time.


respect meaning
Kính trọng


get along

1. To be or continue to be on harmonious terms: gets along with the in-laws.

2. To manage or fare with reasonable success: can't get along on those wages.

3.

a. To make progress.

b. To advance, especially in years.

4. To go away; leave.

1. do, fare, make out, come, get along(verb)
   proceed or get along
   "How is she doing in her new job?"; "How are you making out in graduate school?"; "He's come a long way"
2. get along with, get on with, get on, get along(verb)
   have smooth relations
   "My boss and I get along very well"
3. progress, come on, come along, advance, get on, get along, shape up(verb)
   develop in a positive way
   "He progressed well in school"; "My plants are coming along"; "Plans are shaping up"

Kernerman English Learner's Dictionary

1. get along(verb)ɛt
   to have a good relationship with
   I knew we would get along.; I don't really get along with his other friends.

Princeton's WordNet

1. do, fare, make out, come, get along(verb)
   proceed or get along
   "How is she doing in her new job?"; "How are you making out in graduate school?"; "He's come a long way"
2. get along with, get on with, get on, get along(verb)
   have smooth relations
   "My boss and I get along very well"
3. progress, come on, come along, advance, get on, get along, shape up(verb)
   develop in a positive way
   "He progressed well in school"; "My plants are coming along"; "Plans are shaping up"

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