（2）会话中的单词和习语W ords and Idiom s in the D ialogues
extraman-years n.额外的人才引进计划
man-year cutbacks n.人均年预算削减
budgetary restrictions n.预算控制
overspending n.超支开销
booze（习语）酒；酒精饮料
print-outs n.打印件；打印资料
computerized adj.电脑化的；计算机化的
it slipped mymind（习语）我忘了；我记不起来了
Ihaven't got a clue.（习语）我一无所知。
I can'tmake heads or tails of it.（习语）我不懂；我摸不着头脑。
It's on the tip ofmy tongue.（习语）我一时想不起来；话到嘴边我又忘了。
Idon't know which end is up.（习语）我一窍不通。
It beatsme.（习语）这可难倒我了；这可考倒我了。
I've lostmy train of thought.（习语）我忘了刚才说什么了。
rack one's brain（习语）绞尽脑汁
I couldn't get a word in edgewise.（习语）我插不上话/嘴。
It's overmy head（习语）我理解不了；我听不懂。
IHaven't Got a Clue
A：Pete，what's the capital of Maldives？
B：Don't ask me.Ihaven't got a clue.You know I'm hopeless at geography.
I've Lost M y Train of Thought
A：Whatwe really need is a new approach to work.Iwas thinking about...
B：Hi，Mary.Did you have a nice weekend？
A：Not bad.And yourself？
B：Can't complain，can't complain.
C：You were saying？
A：I can't remember.With Jack interruptingme，I've lostmy train of thought.
ICou ldn't M ake Heads or Tails of Them
A：Have you managed to assemble our new bookcases yet？
B：I'm afraid not.I've been studying the plans for the last hour but Icouldn'tmake heads or tails of them.Ieven read the French instructions but that only confusedme evenmore.(https://www.daowen.com)
A：Letme have a look.Two heads are better than one.
ICou ldn't Get a W ord in Edgew ise
A：Well，did the boss approve your request for extraman-years？
B：Are you kidding？Theminute Ihinted atextra staffhe started talking aboutbudgetary restrictions，man-year cutbacks，overspending in other sections，etc.He went on and on for at least an hour.I tried to interrupt a couple of times but I couldn't get a word in edgewise.So，after a while I just gave up and left.
It Com p letely Slipped M y M ind
A：OK，guys，we're off.Red Lake here we are.
B：Ihope we didn't forget anything important，like booze.Did you remember to pick up our order，Jack？
C：Oh no.It completely slipped mymind.
A：Are you crazy？How could you forget themost important thing for aweek's fishing trip？
B：It's not too late.Where's the nearest liquor store？
It's on the Tip of M y Tongue
A：Quick，Terry.What's the name of the guy who gave a talk at thismorning's sessions？
B：Gee，letme see.It's an unusual name-Polish I think.Lowoski？
A：No it's not that，but it's close to that.That's annoying.It's on the tip ofmy tongue but I just can't get it out.
B：Hurry up ad find it.He's coming over here and Iwant to ask him to give a talk at our next session.It looks bad if I can't remember his name.
IDon't Know W hich End is Up
A：What's up，Mac？I've been trying to get in to see you for two days but your door is always closed and your secretary tellsme you're not to be disturbed.
B：It's thisnew computerized financial information system.For the last two days I've been studying the print-outs until my head spin but I still can't understand them.I'm thoroughly confused.In fact I don't know which end is up.
A：Iknow what you mean.Computerized print-outs have the same effect on me.
It's over M y Head
A：How's your computer course going？
B：I'm not really sure，to tell you the truth.
A：What do you mean，you're not sure？
B：Well，Iunderstand themanuals or I think Ido，but I don't understand a quarter of what the prof says during the lectures，he uses toomany technical words.I'm afraid his lectures are overmy head.Maybe I should take amore elementary course.
I've Been Rack ing M y Brains
A：What are you scratching your head for，Jack？
B：I've been rackingmy brains allmorning trying to remember the name of the outfitwe hired last April.Iknow it's a Toronto company and the name'son the tip ofmy tongue but I can't just remember.
A：Why don't you look it up in the files？
B：Cause I can't remember what I filed it under.