Mark lesson as completed

The Strange Love of Martha Ivers

And Along Comes Sam

(Lesson 7)

Total words 116 Video duration 9:06



Previous Lesson Next Lesson
afternoon

the part of the day between noon and evening
A video clip called Yesterday afternoon he told me he didn't want anything. That he was going away.

Yesterday afternoon he told me he didn't want anything. That he was going away.
attitude

a complex mental state involving beliefs and feelings and values and dispositions to act in certain ways
A video clip called and his attitudes towards life and love. Walter's got the wrong ideas.

and his attitudes towards life and love. Walter's got the wrong ideas.
blackmail

extortion of money by threats to divulge discrediting information
A video clip called Blackmail? I said blackmail. Now, what is the price?

Blackmail? I said blackmail. Now, what is the price?
break

a pause from doing something (as work)
A video clip called The only thing you've got coming, kid, is a break.

The only thing you've got coming, kid, is a break.
bus

a vehicle carrying many passengers; used for public transport
A video clip called You grab the next bus out. I'll meet you, wherever you say.

You grab the next bus out. I'll meet you, wherever you say.
cage

an enclosure made or wire or metal bars in which birds or animals can be kept
A video clip called A little girl in a cage, waiting for someone to let her out.

A little girl in a cage, waiting for someone to let her out.
call

a telephone connection
A video clip called Even a call to Dempsey's garage.

Even a call to Dempsey's garage.
city

a large and densely populated urban area; may include several independent administrative districts
A video clip called It's quite a thing, in a small city like this, to be a district attorney.

It's quite a thing, in a small city like this, to be a district attorney.
detail

an isolated fact that is considered separately from the whole
A video clip called Down to the smallest detail.

Down to the smallest detail.
dick

someone who is a detective
A video clip called Private dicks.

Private dicks.
fact

a piece of information about circumstances that exist or events that have occurred
A video clip called The facts concerning a guy called Sam Masterson...

The facts concerning a guy called Sam Masterson...
god

the supernatural being conceived as the perfect and omnipotent and omniscient originator and ruler of the universe; the object of worship in monotheistic religions
A video clip called You get to feel like God. You know everything.

You get to feel like God. You know everything.
goon

an aggressive and violent young criminal
A video clip called Well, the goons, the ones who worked me over?

Well, the goons, the ones who worked me over?
halloween

the evening before All Saints' Day; often devoted to pranks played by young people
A video clip called I'm just made up for Halloween.

I'm just made up for Halloween.
hand

the (prehensile) extremity of the superior limb
A video clip called Hold your hand under the water.

Hold your hand under the water.
head

the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains
A video clip called A lot of questions. I forget. - Remember! - My head's mixed-up.

A lot of questions. I forget. - Remember! - My head's mixed-up.
idea

the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
A video clip called I hired the man who worked you over. The idea was mine.

I hired the man who worked you over. The idea was mine.
life

the course of existence of an individual; the actions and events that occur in living
A video clip called I know you, Martha. You are my life's work.

I know you, Martha. You are my life's work.
minute

an indefinitely short time
A video clip called You're out of shape, Walter. For a minute there I thought you were dead.

You're out of shape, Walter. For a minute there I thought you were dead.
moment

an indefinitely short time
A video clip called Just a moment, sir.

Just a moment, sir.
mr

a form of address for a man
A video clip called No, no, the other man. Mr. O'Neil wasn't there by then.

No, no, the other man. Mr. O'Neil wasn't there by then.
name

a language unit by which a person or thing is known
A video clip called - O'Neil? His name's Walter O'Neil. - That's right. That's his name.

- O'Neil? His name's Walter O'Neil. - That's right. That's his name.
office

place of business where professional or clerical duties are performed
A video clip called - Be at my office at the plant at 3:00. - Okay.

- Be at my office at the plant at 3:00. - Okay.
one

a single person or thing
A video clip called Well, the goons, the ones who worked me over?

Well, the goons, the ones who worked me over?
pain

a symptom of some physical hurt or disorder
A video clip called Even pain at your hands.

Even pain at your hands.
parole

(law) a conditional release from imprisonment that entitles the person to serve the remainder of the sentence outside the prison as long as the terms of release are complied with
A video clip called No more parole, they said, if I went for it.

No more parole, they said, if I went for it.
picture

a representation of a person or scene in the form of a print or transparent slide; recorded by a camera on light-sensitive material
A video clip called I could have given you a much more detailed picture on Sam Masterson.

I could have given you a much more detailed picture on Sam Masterson.
plant

buildings for carrying on industrial labor
A video clip called - Be at my office at the plant at 3:00. - Okay.

- Be at my office at the plant at 3:00. - Okay.
pocket

a small pouch inside a garment for carrying small articles
A video clip called It fell out of a guy's pocket and hit me in the face.

It fell out of a guy's pocket and hit me in the face.
price

the amount of money needed to purchase something
A video clip called Blackmail? I said blackmail. Now, what is the price?

Blackmail? I said blackmail. Now, what is the price?
question

a sentence of inquiry that asks for a reply
A video clip called He asked me a lot of questions. Mostly about you.

He asked me a lot of questions. Mostly about you.
quotation

a short note recognizing a source of information or of a quoted passage
A video clip called We're ready to listen to the current quotation on blackmail.

We're ready to listen to the current quotation on blackmail.
report

a written document describing the findings of some individual or group
A video clip called The report on Sam Masterson.

The report on Sam Masterson.
restaurant

a building where people go to eat
A video clip called Last night in that restaurant, I kept trying to tell... -Come on! Get down to it.

Last night in that restaurant, I kept trying to tell... -Come on! Get down to it.
shape

the visual appearance of something or someone
A video clip called You're out of shape, Walter. For a minute there I thought you were dead.

You're out of shape, Walter. For a minute there I thought you were dead.
statement

a message that is stated or declared; a communication (oral or written) setting forth particulars or facts etc
A video clip called I'll make this a flat statement.

I'll make this a flat statement.
sweetheart

a person loved by another person
A video clip called Don't try it, sweetheart.

Don't try it, sweetheart.
talk

an exchange of ideas via conversation
A video clip called I thought we ought to have a little talk.

I thought we ought to have a little talk.
team

a cooperative unit (especially in sports)
A video clip called Who'll kick off first? Your team or mine?

Who'll kick off first? Your team or mine?
thing

an event
A video clip called Not a thing.

Not a thing.
thing

a special situation
A video clip called It's quite a thing, in a small city like this, to be a district attorney.

It's quite a thing, in a small city like this, to be a district attorney.
today

the day that includes the present moment (as opposed to yesterday or tomorrow)
A video clip called Sam's leaving Iverstown today.

Sam's leaving Iverstown today.
water

a liquid necessary for the life of most animals and plants
A video clip called Hold your hand under the water.

Hold your hand under the water.
while

a period of indeterminate length (usually short) marked by some action or condition
A video clip called I took a gander at this while you were out.

I took a gander at this while you were out.
beat

give a beating to; subject to a beating, either as a punishment or as an act of aggression
A video clip called I ought to beat it out of you.

I ought to beat it out of you.
call

assign a specified (usually proper) proper name to
A video clip called The facts concerning a guy called Sam Masterson...

The facts concerning a guy called Sam Masterson...
care

feel concern or interest
A video clip called I didn't know you cared.

I didn't know you cared.
catch

reach in time
A video clip called Go ahead, bud. She'll catch the next one.

Go ahead, bud. She'll catch the next one.
come back

go back to something earlier
A video clip called I thought it might scare you into not coming back.

I thought it might scare you into not coming back.
come on

move towards
A video clip called Last night in that restaurant, I kept trying to tell... -Come on! Get down to it.

Last night in that restaurant, I kept trying to tell... -Come on! Get down to it.
concern

be relevant to
A video clip called The facts concerning a guy called Sam Masterson...

The facts concerning a guy called Sam Masterson...
cry

utter a sudden loud cry
A video clip called Cut that. Crying is not going to get you anywhere.

Cut that. Crying is not going to get you anywhere.
cut

cease, stop
A video clip called Cut that. Crying is not going to get you anywhere.

Cut that. Crying is not going to get you anywhere.
deal

do business; offer for sale as for one's livelihood
A video clip called Remember you are dealing with two old friends.

Remember you are dealing with two old friends.
down

cause to come or go down
A video clip called Down to the smallest detail.

Down to the smallest detail.
dry

remove the moisture from and make dry
A video clip called Now dry your hand.

Now dry your hand.
fall

descend in free fall under the influence of gravity
A video clip called It fell out of a guy's pocket and hit me in the face.

It fell out of a guy's pocket and hit me in the face.
get

cause to move; cause to be in a certain position or condition
A video clip called Cut that. Crying is not going to get you anywhere.

Cut that. Crying is not going to get you anywhere.
go away

move away from a place into another direction
A video clip called Yesterday afternoon he told me he didn't want anything. That he was going away.

Yesterday afternoon he told me he didn't want anything. That he was going away.
grab

take or grasp suddenly
A video clip called You grab the next bus out. I'll meet you, wherever you say.

You grab the next bus out. I'll meet you, wherever you say.
handle

be in charge of, act on, or dispose of
A video clip called - lf you had let me handle it... - I didn't like what you had in mind.

- lf you had let me handle it... - I didn't like what you had in mind.
hear

perceive (sound) via the auditory sense
A video clip called - That's what he said. - I want to hear you say it.

- That's what he said. - I want to hear you say it.
hire

engage or hire for work
A video clip called I hired the man who worked you over. The idea was mine.

I hired the man who worked you over. The idea was mine.
hit

cause to move by striking
A video clip called It fell out of a guy's pocket and hit me in the face.

It fell out of a guy's pocket and hit me in the face.
hurt

be the source of pain
A video clip called This will hurt.

This will hurt.
keep

continue a certain state, condition, or activity
A video clip called Last night in that restaurant, I kept trying to tell... -Come on! Get down to it.

Last night in that restaurant, I kept trying to tell... -Come on! Get down to it.
kick off

commence officially
A video clip called Who'll kick off first? Your team or mine?

Who'll kick off first? Your team or mine?
kill

cause to die; put to death, usually intentionally or knowingly
A video clip called I'll kill you.

I'll kill you.
make

give certain properties to something
A video clip called I'll make this a flat statement.

I'll make this a flat statement.
make up

apply make-up or cosmetics to one's face to appear prettier
A video clip called I'm just made up for Halloween.

I'm just made up for Halloween.
meet

come together
A video clip called You grab the next bus out. I'll meet you, wherever you say.

You grab the next bus out. I'll meet you, wherever you say.
play

act or have an effect in a specified way or with a specific effect or outcome
A video clip called They said if I didn't play with them I'd go back to jail.

They said if I didn't play with them I'd go back to jail.
push around

be bossy towards
A video clip called I don't like to get pushed around. I don't like people I like to be pushed around. I don't like anybody to get pushed around.

I don't like to get pushed around. I don't like people I like to be pushed around. I don't like anybody to get pushed around.
recognize

be fully aware or cognizant of
A video clip called Take me to Mr. O'Neil and you won't get hurt. Yes, Mr. Masterson. I hardly recognized you, sir.

Take me to Mr. O'Neil and you won't get hurt. Yes, Mr. Masterson. I hardly recognized you, sir.
scare

cause fear in
A video clip called I thought it might scare you into not coming back.

I thought it might scare you into not coming back.
see

perceive by sight or have the power to perceive by sight
A video clip called - Sam, you're hurt. - You ought to see the other guy.

- Sam, you're hurt. - You ought to see the other guy.
shoot

fire a shot
A video clip called I wasn't going to shoot.

I wasn't going to shoot.
stop

come to a halt, stop moving
A video clip called I'll stop.

I'll stop.
study

consider in detail and subject to an analysis in order to discover essential features or meaning
A video clip called I've studied you all these years.

I've studied you all these years.
take

get into one's hands, take physically
A video clip called Here, take this. I'm two up on you.

Here, take this. I'm two up on you.
take

experience or feel or submit to
A video clip called I took a gander at this while you were out.

I took a gander at this while you were out.
trust

have confidence or faith in
A video clip called What's the trouble, Walter? Don't you trust your own cops?

What's the trouble, Walter? Don't you trust your own cops?
work over

give a beating to; subject to a beating, either as a punishment or as an act of aggression
A video clip called I hired the man who worked you over. The idea was mine.

I hired the man who worked you over. The idea was mine.
current

occurring in or belonging to the present time
A video clip called We're ready to listen to the current quotation on blackmail.

We're ready to listen to the current quotation on blackmail.
cute

attractive especially by means of smallness or prettiness or quaintness
A video clip called Cute kid.

Cute kid.
dead

no longer having or seeming to have or expecting to have life
A video clip called You're out of shape, Walter. For a minute there I thought you were dead.

You're out of shape, Walter. For a minute there I thought you were dead.
detailed

developed or executed with care and in minute detail
A video clip called I could have given you a much more detailed picture on Sam Masterson.

I could have given you a much more detailed picture on Sam Masterson.
flat

not modified or restricted by reservations
A video clip called I'll make this a flat statement.

I'll make this a flat statement.
hurt

suffering from physical injury especially that suffered in battle
A video clip called - Sam, you're hurt. - You ought to see the other guy.

- Sam, you're hurt. - You ought to see the other guy.
lucky

occurring by chance
A video clip called You were lucky.

You were lucky.
mixed-up

perplexed by many conflicting situations or statements; filled with bewilderment
A video clip called A lot of questions. I forget. - Remember! - My head's mixed-up.

A lot of questions. I forget. - Remember! - My head's mixed-up.
next

immediately following in time or order
A video clip called - Next time it'll be worse. - Look!

- Next time it'll be worse. - Look!
other

not the same one or ones already mentioned or implied
A video clip called No, no, the other man. Mr. O'Neil wasn't there by then.

No, no, the other man. Mr. O'Neil wasn't there by then.
out

outside or external
A video clip called Before they let me out they took me to the D.A.'s office.

Before they let me out they took me to the D.A.'s office.
out

not allowed to continue to bat or run
A video clip called A little girl in a cage, waiting for someone to let her out.

A little girl in a cage, waiting for someone to let her out.
private

confined to particular persons or groups or providing privacy
A video clip called Private dicks.

Private dicks.
profitable

yielding material gain or profit
A video clip called May the deal be profitable, to all of us.

May the deal be profitable, to all of us.
stupid

lacking or marked by lack of intellectual acuity
A video clip called - Yes, I'm a very lucky man. - And a stupid one.

- Yes, I'm a very lucky man. - And a stupid one.
terrible

causing fear or dread or terror
A video clip called You look terrible, Sam. Have a drink.

You look terrible, Sam. Have a drink.
two

being one more than one
A video clip called Here, take this. I'm two up on you.

Here, take this. I'm two up on you.
under

located below or beneath something else
A video clip called Hold your hand under the water.

Hold your hand under the water.
whatever

one or some or every or all without specification
A video clip called Whatever the price is, that's it, Sam.

Whatever the price is, that's it, Sam.
worse

changed for the worse in health or fitness
A video clip called - Next time it'll be worse. - Look!

- Next time it'll be worse. - Look!
wrong

not correct; not in conformity with fact or truth
A video clip called and his attitudes towards life and love. Walter's got the wrong ideas.

and his attitudes towards life and love. Walter's got the wrong ideas.
Lesson Instructions
  • Play the video and click the transcript to repeat lines for better understanding.
  • Click on tabs above to explore word definitions and examples.
  • Optionally, print and study from the Lesson PDF
  • Watch the video and study the language until you understand more about what is happening in the story.