29.5.12

What's the damage?


Jen: Hello, I'm Jen – and with me in the studio today is Helen!

Helen: Hi!

Jen: Helen, just before we get started – did you get the chance to go to the farmers' market for me? I didn't have time to go myself.

Helen: I did, I chose some things I thought you'd like… Here we are… I bought some fresh apples, some crunchy carrots, a load of onions, a loaf of fresh bread and a jar of delicious honey.

Jen: Brilliant漂亮的, 輝煌的 – thanks so much for doing that for me, I can't wait to try it. So what's the damage?

Helen: Damage? I don't think there's any damage really. Although I suppose one of the apples is a little bit bruised傷痕累累 and I nibbled偷吃 the end of one of the carrots but it'll be fine if you just cut it a little bit.

Jen: I don't mean damage to the food. The phrase "what's the damage?" can be used to ask how much money you owe someone for something.

Helen: So you wanted to find out how much you owe me for the food?

Jen: That's right – let's hear a couple of examples of the phrase in use. 
  • What a lovely meal – I think we should split分開 the bill two ways though, so what's the damage?
  • Thanks so much for fixing the brakes on my car. What's the damage for the work you've done?

Helen: So you could say "what's the damage?" in a restaurant or a cafe?

Jen: That's right; you might use the phrase短語 amongst之間 friends when you get a bill, or you might hear it if you are paying a workman to do something. Generally we use it when we don't know how much something is going to cost or if the price has been estimated beforehand事前.

Helen: Like when I went to the market for you today!

Jen: Yeah, I didn't know how much it would cost so I asked you "what's the damage?" So how much do I owe you?

Helen: £12.50.

Jen: £12.50?! That's pretty expensive.

Helen: It's worth it when you look at the quality of the food – it's very good.

Jen: Alright then, here you are – £12.50.

Helen: And here YOU are.

Jen: Let's have a look then… Apples, yum… Well, they do look a little more bruised than you mentioned…

Helen: Yes, sorry, I dropped the bag…

Jen: Look at the carrots! You said you'd nibbled them, but there are only the tops of them left! I can't cook with those!

Helen: I was peckish氣餒, sorry.

Jen: At least this jar of honey looks good… it's empty!

Helen: Sorry, sorry! It looked so delicious that I couldn't help it!

Jen: Well, I think you should give me my money back. I'm not paying for food that's already been eaten!

Helen: OK, what if we go out for a meal and I pay?

Jen: Hmm… OK…

Later on…

Jen: I'm stuffed! The apple and honey pie was really delicious.

Helen: Here's the waiter with the bill. Now don't forget, this is my treat after eating all of your food. Ooh, er… This is embarrassing.

Jen: Is it expensive? What's the damage?

Helen: It's £40 for the meal but I've just remembered…

Jen: What?

Helen: I left my purse錢包 at the farmers' market! Can you pay for us?

Jen: Argh!
this text comes from bbc learning english
http://www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice/learningenglish/language/theenglishwespeak/2012/05/120529_tews_73_whats_the_damage.shtml

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