Spilling a Small Amount of Drink
Someone spills a small amount of drink (e.g., coffee, water) on a table, floor, or someone's belongings, and apologizes for the minor mess.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
oops
An exclamation used to express mild surprise or regret when something small goes wrong, like making a minor mistake. It's casual and common in everyday English.
spill
To accidentally pour out a liquid, like water or coffee, from a container. Use it when describing small accidents involving drinks.
napkin
A piece of paper or cloth used to wipe hands, mouth, or clean small spills. It's essential vocabulary for dining or handling messes politely.
worries
Short for 'things to worry about.' In phrases like 'no worries,' it means 'don't be concerned' – a friendly way to reassure someone after a minor issue.
accidents
Unplanned events that cause small problems, like spilling something. It's useful for talking about everyday mishaps without blame.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Oh, oops! I spilled a little water.
This is a casual way to immediately acknowledge and apologize for a small accident. 'Oops' shows surprise, and 'spilled a little' minimizes the issue. Use it right when the mistake happens to sound natural and polite.
Oh, no worries. It's just water.
A reassuring response to an apology, meaning 'it's not a big deal.' 'No worries' is an idiomatic expression for dismissing minor problems. It's useful for making others feel better in casual situations.
Sorry about that. Let me grab a napkin.
This offers a simple apology followed by an action to fix the issue. 'Sorry about that' is a common phrase for minor errors, and 'grab' means to quickly take something. Use it to show responsibility and helpfulness.
It's fine, really. I have one right here.
Emphasizes that the problem is not serious, with 'really' adding sincerity. It's a polite way to accept an apology and offer help. Good for intermediate learners to practice polite refusals or acceptances.
Don't sweat it. Accidents happen.
An idiomatic way to say 'don't worry about it,' where 'don't sweat it' means don't stress. 'Accidents happen' explains that such things are normal. Use this to comfort someone after a small mistake, as it's very natural in American English.