Addressing the General Line
If there's a long line, the person might need to briefly explain their situation to the immediate few people around to avoid causing disruption.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
interrupt
To interrupt means to stop someone or something from continuing, often politely in conversations or situations like lines. Use it when apologizing for breaking in, like 'Sorry to interrupt.'
urgent
Urgent describes something that needs immediate attention because it's important or time-sensitive. It's useful in requests, like 'I have an urgent matter' to explain why you need help quickly.
appointment
An appointment is a planned meeting at a specific time, like with a doctor or for a service. In polite requests, say 'I have an appointment' to justify urgency without details.
fell through
Fell through is an idiom meaning a plan or arrangement failed unexpectedly. Use it for situations like 'My plans fell through' to explain why something went wrong suddenly.
daycare
Daycare refers to a place where parents leave young children during the day while working. It's common in English-speaking countries; mention it to explain family emergencies politely.
rush
Rush means to hurry or be in a hurry. In questions like 'Are you in a rush?', it checks if someone is pressed for time, helping in polite conversations about waiting.
lifesaver
Lifesaver is an idiom for someone who provides crucial help in a difficult situation. Use it to express strong thanks, like 'You're a lifesaver!' to show deep appreciation.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
Excuse me, I'm so sorry to interrupt, but I have a really urgent appointment. Would it be alright if I just quickly went ahead?
This is a polite way to ask to cut in line by apologizing first and briefly explaining the urgency. It's useful for real-life situations like queues; note the conditional 'would it be alright' for soft requests, and 'went ahead' uses past tense for politeness.
Oh, sure, if it's urgent. What's the situation?
This shows agreement with a condition and asks for more details. Use it when someone requests a favor to understand better; 'what's the situation' is a neutral way to inquire without being nosy, common in casual English.
My childcare for my son unexpectedly fell through and I need to pick him up from daycare immediately.
This explains a personal emergency clearly and concisely. It's practical for justifying urgency in family matters; 'fell through' is an idiom for failure, and 'immediately' emphasizes time pressure, helping build empathy.
We're not in a huge rush, are we, Michael?
This is a tag question seeking agreement from others in a group. Use it in lines or group decisions to check if waiting is okay; the rising tone on 'are we' invites confirmation, making it collaborative and polite.
Go right ahead. We can wait a little longer.
This grants permission directly and reassuringly. It's useful for agreeing to let someone go first; 'go right ahead' is an idiomatic expression meaning 'proceed,' and it shows willingness to accommodate without resentment.
Oh, thank you so much! I really appreciate your understanding. You're a lifesaver!
This expresses strong gratitude after receiving help. Use it to thank people sincerely; 'I really appreciate' adds emphasis, and 'lifesaver' is a warm idiom, common in American English to build positive relationships.