An Entrepreneur’s Dream Vacation & Expressions with Make.

Sometimes, small words and simple expressions can go a long way toward helping you sound more authentic and natural in your Business English. 

Today, you’ll learn to keep your English simple like advanced speakers do–with expressions using make. And you’ll learn the expressions in an extremely effective way: through a story that’s relevant to your life. 

Today I’m going to tell you the story of an entrepreneur who went on a small, but special vacation as a reward for reaching a goal in their business. Stories are great ways to learn and remember new expressions. Especially stories that help you dream about something important to you. 

To hear the story (and get some fun visuals to go with it) be sure to watch the video too.  After you can test yourself on what you learned with the quiz at the end of this blog post. 

Take the quiz at the end of this lesson!

Did you know that I’ve created a quick and easy quiz to go with this lesson so that you can practice everything you see here today? I want you to make this part of the English you actually use in real life! To try out today’s quiz, just scroll down to the last section and you’ll find the instructions there…and the answers too!

What you’ll learn in this article:

1.  Business English Lesson for Entrepreneurs: Why I made up my mind to take a vacation.
2. Business English for Entrepreneurs: Making do in Malta.
3. Business English for Entrepreneurs: Your quiz on expressions with ‘make.’

1. Business English Lesson for Entrepreneurs: Why I made up my mind to take a vacation.

Here’s the first part of your story.  Read along and watch for expressions with make marked like *this. You’ll find their meaning at the bottom of this section.

I started a small business a couple of years ago in addition to my regular job. But suddenly, this year, I found a few important new clients and started *to make a killing! I quit my regular job, and brought in a small team to help me with the company. 

And then I *made up my mind: it was time to take a long-overdue vacation. 
I didn’t have a lot of time to plan ahead and I felt like being spontaneous! 
Since I’m my own boss now and can leave for a long weekend away when I want to. 

I bought a plane ticket to Malta!  

I did *make a last-ditch effort to research some hotels. I thought of *making a hotel reservation before I left. But then, since it’s not tourist season, I decided to just see where I felt like staying when I arrived!

Did you understand the expressions with “make”? Here they are:
*To make a killing = to earn a lot of money.
*To make up your mind = to decide, to come to a decision.
*To make a last-ditch effort to = to try one last time, or at the last minute.
*To make a reservation = to book a room in a hotel, a table at a restaurant

Also check out my lesson: How to use “get” in English.

2. Business English for Entrepreneurs: Making do in Malta.

Keep reading the story and see if you can find and understand the expressions with “make.” Again, you’ll find the meaning of each expression at the end of this section.

When my plane landed, I realized that my suitcase was lost! So I would have *to make do with what was in my small carry-on bag. 

And do you know what? I didn’t even mind. I had the essentials–my laptop, a change of clothes.  You can buy anything you need anyway!  

I took a taxi to St. Paul’s Bay–a beachside resort in the tourist season. But in the off-season, I was able to find a place to stay easily. I grabbed a map in the reception area and decided to explore. 

But, when it was time *to make my way back, I realized I couldn’t *make heads or tails of the map! 

I went down a small street and that’s when I saw a tiny door.  It looked like it went into a house–but was actually it was a restaurant!  The smell of the food inside *made my mouth water. And I realized I was hungry! I ordered the Aljotta–a fish stew and a local specialty!

After dinner, I could think clearly.  And luckily, my English was good enough to ask for directions back to the hotel!  I walked back along the calm beach as the sun set. And knowing that I could finally go on a vacation–when I want to, because my business is working for me…

*It made my day. 

Did you understand the expressions with “make”? Here they are:

*To make do with = to survive/ to get by with whatever you have at hand.

*To make your way back to a place = to come back someday, to return, to return to your point of origin

*Can’t make heads or tails of something = can’t make sense of something.

*To make your mouth water = when food looks or smells so good, you have saliva in your mouth!

*To make your day = when one thing happens that is so great, it makes your entire day seem great too.

Are You an Entrepreneur Who Needs English for Your Business? Get the English Habits Starter Kit I created just for entrepreneurs and business owners and change your English and your business.

3. Business English for Entrepreneurs: Your quiz on expressions with ‘make.’

Now, it’s time to see if you learned some of those new expressions. 

Look at each of the phrases below and see if you can choose the correct expression with “make.” (You’ll find the answers to these questions in the comments section of this blog post).

#1. I don’t have my computer today I’ll have to__________ with my tablet.

make do
make my mind up
make my way

#2. My client made a wise decision bringing on an expert to help them. Now they’re ________.

making my mouth water
making a killing
making a last-ditch effort 

#3. Why did the entrepreneur in this story decide to go on vacation?

Because they achieved an important business goal.
Because they finally had enough money.
Because they finally were ‘their own boss’ and could leave when they wanted to. 
All of the above (or all the previous answers).

Also check out my lesson: 10 Business English words you (probably) mispronounce.

Improve your English in the comments

The best way to become more confident using Business English is to practice!

Here’s your Confidence Challenge for this week:

1. Where is one place you’d travel if you reached an important goal or milestone?
2. Tell us about it in the comments.

If you learned something from this lesson, please share it with your coworkers & friends. You can send your message to them in English for more practice!

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Are You an Entrepreneur Who Needs English for Your Business?

You know where you need to go with your business–and that your English can help you get there.

And if you want your English to work for you–you need to work on your English a little bit every day.
You need an English Habit that fits your busy schedule.
And that can take you to the advanced level of English you need.
You need the best possible strategies right now–because your time is precious.

So how do you do that?
You’ll find everything you need in the English Habits Starter Kit I created just for entrepreneurs and business owners.