A Day at Work · Lesson 2 of 3
A last-minute problem
The office computer stops working before the presentation. Maya and Leo must save the files and fix the plan.
Your goal
Explain a technical problem, ask for help, and get the work moving again.
By the end, you can recognise
Follow the scene
Learn the phrases in the order they happen.
Read the situation first. Then connect each phrase to the action Maya and Leo take in the story.
Story beat 1
Find the problem
The computer fails, so the team checks what happened and investigates the cause.
“The office computer broke down just before Maya and Leo's presentation.”
In plain English: The office computer stopped working just before Maya and Leo's presentation.
+Why “down”?
A structure, a system, or someone's mood can go down when it fails.
“Maya found out that the office presentation file would not open.”
In plain English: Maya discovered that the office presentation file would not open.
+Why “out”?
Something comes into the open. People can see it, know it, or understand it.
“The technician looked into the computer problem while Maya checked the presentation backup.”
In plain English: The technician investigated the computer problem while Maya checked the presentation backup.
+Why “into”?
Attention moves deeper to examine facts, details, or possible meaning.
Story beat 2
Protect the work
They save what they can, find another route, and bring in extra help.
“Maya backed up the final presentation on the office drive.”
In plain English: Maya made a safe digital copy of the final presentation on the office drive.
+Why “up”?
A person or thing receives help so they do not fall, fail, or lose something important. It can also mean accepting a burden.
“Leo worked around the broken office computer by using a laptop for the presentation.”
In plain English: Leo found another way to prepare the presentation by using a laptop.
+Why “around”?
The path bends to avoid an obstacle instead of passing through it.
“Leo called in an office technician when the presentation computer stopped working.”
In plain English: Leo asked an office technician to come and help when the presentation computer stopped working.
+Why “in”?
A person, vehicle, message, or result reaches a place or becomes present there.
Story beat 3
Get moving again
The team fixes the issue, restarts the machine, and continues preparing.
“Maya and Leo sorted out the projector problem before the office presentation.”
In plain English: Maya and Leo successfully fixed the projector problem before the office presentation.
+Why “out”?
A problem, disagreement, or hard time continues until it is settled or ends.
“The backup computer started up while Leo opened the office presentation file.”
In plain English: The backup computer began operating while Leo opened the office presentation file.
+Why “up”?
A person, thing, signal, idea, or truth becomes present, visible, active, or known.
“Maya and Leo carried on preparing the office presentation while the technician worked.”
In plain English: Maya and Leo continued preparing the office presentation while the technician worked.
+Why “on”?
An action, event, state, or path continues or moves to a later point.
Check what stuck
Can you read the situation without a translation?
Choose the meaning that fits each sentence. You will get an explanation immediately, so mistakes become part of the lesson.
What does the phrasal verb mean?
“The office computer broke down just before Maya and Leo's presentation.”
Optional phrase bank
15 more phrases from this scene
The core lesson is complete. Open this bank when you want a broader vocabulary challenge.
+
Optional phrase bank
15 more phrases from this scene
The core lesson is complete. Open this bank when you want a broader vocabulary challenge.
call back
Return a phone call
“The office technician called Maya back about the broken presentation computer.”
call up
Display information on a screen or computer
“Maya called up the backup presentation on the office computer.”
deal with
Take action to solve or manage a problem
“Leo dealt with the office projector problem while Maya protected the presentation files.”
fall back
Use something as a backup when other options fail
“Maya fell back on a paper copy when the office presentation file would not open.”
hold up
Delay a person or process
“The broken office computer held up Maya and Leo's presentation practice.”
log in
Sign in to a computer system or website
“Maya logged in to the office backup computer before the presentation.”
plug in
Connect a device to electricity using a plug
“Leo plugged the projector in before the office presentation practice.”
print out
Produce a paper copy from a computer
“Maya printed out a paper copy of the presentation at the office.”
pull up
Display data or a record on a screen
“Leo pulled up the final presentation file on the office laptop.”
put off
Delay or postpone
“Maya and Leo put off their practice run until the office computer was ready.”
run out
Use all of the available supply
“Maya and Leo ran out of time to practice before the office presentation.”
shut down
Stop operating completely
“The technician shut down the office computer before Leo tried the presentation backup.”
switch on
Activate by flipping a switch
“Leo switched on the office projector after the technician fixed it.”
turn on
Make a device, light, or machine start working
“Maya turned on the backup office computer before the presentation.”
work out
Solve a problem or calculate an answer
“Leo worked out how to open the backup presentation on another office computer.”
Your route through A Day at Work
Continue the story when you are ready.
Lesson 1
The morning meeting
Open a meeting, review a plan, and agree who will take each task.
9 min · 9 core phrases- 2
Lesson 2 · You are here
A last-minute problem
Explain a technical problem, ask for help, and get the work moving again.
9 min · 9 core phrases - 3
Lesson 3
The presentation
Start a presentation, explain ideas clearly, and finish with useful next steps.
9 min · 9 core phrases
Sink In — iOS & Android
Make the phrases stay with you
Sink In connects the particle patterns behind these phrases, then brings each meaning back before you forget it.
- Learn the shared idea behind groups of phrases.
- Review with short, focused practice sessions.
- Check meaning, particle choice, and similar phrases.