ESL Podcast 488 – Getting Around Regulations

http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/newsaboutbritain/2009/02/090127_soaps.shtml

Watching TV is a very popular pastime [what you do outside work for enjoyment] in the UK


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http://www.eslpod.com/website/show_podcast.php?issue_id=7318250

Michael: I have some qualms about how we're handling these accounts.

Leona: What do you mean?

Michael: There are strict regulations governing what we can and cannot do, and I think we're violating those regulations.

Leona: Listen, it's a matter of interpretation. We're not flouting any regulations. We're just not following the letter of the law (# follow the spirit of the law).

Michael: I, for one, think that we've crossed the line. I'm not against some creative accounting, but what we're doing is bordering on criminal.

Leona: Aren't you blowing things out of proportion? The government makes laws knowing that people are going to try to get around them. There are always loopholes and that's why they turn a blind eye to most of these types of activities. As long as we comply with most of the regulations, we're not going to get into any hot water.

Michael: I appreciate your confidence, but I don't share it. I think we're in for some major problems if we don't change the way we do business.

Leona: Come on, let's go get some coffee and see what we can do about that overactive conscience of yours.

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- qualm (n) : don't feel right about sth  , things dangerous and against the law
- to govern : to control ,to have authority or power over sth, to lead sth
- to flout sth: to break a law or go against the rule openly (without hiding your actions)
- to follow the letter of the law : to obey exactly the law # to follow the spirit of the law
- I, for one : I  and among everyone here
- to cross the line : to do sth that is breaking a regulation, going against the law
- to bother on sth : to be almost doing sth, to be very close to being doing sth
- to blow things out of proportion : to treat sth as it's more significant, important than it really is
- to get around sth : to find way to not have to do sth
- to turn a blind eye: to pretend not to see
- to get into hot water : to get into trouble
- to be in for sth :to be going to have sth, to be going to experience sth in future



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Thanks,
Duy Lam