A pound of flesh

Meaning
Modern English speakers use the phrase a pound of flesh when someone says they want justice, but the punishment they're asking for is so severe that it seems more like revenge.

Example sentence
I apologised and paid for the repairs after I crashed his car, but it isn't enough for him. He wants his pound of flesh. I think he's going to call the police…

Note
In modern day usage, we can also use a pound of flesh to talk about something which is owed, but will be hurtful or difficult to provide.

Example sentence
My boss is making me work so hard at the moment, he really wants his pound of flesh.

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Extra vocabulary

lend
give something to someone with the understanding that it will be returned

borrow
receive something from someone with the understanding that you will return it

flesh
the soft part of the human body

revenge
something that you do to hurt or punish someone because they have hurt you or someone else

justice
​fairness in the way ​people are ​dealt with

seek revenge
plan to take revenge

court
a formal, legal meeting where decisions are made about a crime

revenge is a dish best served cold
it's more satisfying to wait until the time is right to get revenge

don't get mad, get even
get revenge instead of getting angry about something

get your own back
get revenge

it's payback time
it's time to get revenge

revenge is sweet
it feels good to get revenge

forgive and forget
don't try to get revenge: forget about people's mistakes and move on

price-fix scandal
an agreement between companies to keep prices high

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#Shakespeare_Speaks

Romeo and Juliet, the star-cross'd lovers

William Shakespeare's tale of the star-crossed lovers continues to have a powerful effect on audiences and the main story of forbidden love is still relevant today. Young people all over the world can relate to parents becoming involved in their love lives - not normally with such dramatic results fortunately!


— Actor Robert Harley is playing the role of Romeo in this episode - but is life imitating art?

As you watch the following episode, find the similarities between Robert Harley’s situation and Romeo’s. The answer's under the video.

A fool's paradise

Meaning
These days, the phrase a fool's paradise describes any situation that somebody thinks is good, without realising that it won't last – or that it's actually bad.

Example sentence
Jack's work is terrible. He's living in a fool's paradise if he thinks he's getting a pay rise.

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Extra vocabulary

star-crossed lovers
very unlucky lovers

a fool
a silly person

fool someone
trick or deceive someone

do right by someone
treat someone well and fairly

come back to earth (with a bump)
to accept reality again after a pleasant experience or a hopeful dream

to have your head in the clouds
to be unaware of what is happening around you in the real world

a wishful thinker
a person who has hopes and plans that are unlikely to happen in reality

living in a dream world
having ideas or hopes which are not practical and are not likely to be successful

a pipe dream
a hope which is impossible to achieve or not realistic

down-to-earth
sensible and realistic

level-headed
someone who has the ability to think clearly and realistically and makes good decisions

to have your feet on the ground
to be sensible, practical and realistic

Answer
Robert Harley is in a very similar situation to Romeo. Robert wants to marry Janet, but Janet's mother thinks that Robert can't be trusted. In Romeo and Juliet, Romeo wants to marry Juliet, but Juliet's nurse thinks that Romeo can't be trusted.

But the story of Romeo and Juliet didn't end well - they both died! Let's hope that Robert and Janet have a happier ending.