Daily – 4

• “Let me ask you this…”
• “Are you saying that…?”
• “So you admit that…”
• “With all due respect…”

 

used to vs be used to vs get used to

We use used to + infinitive to talk about a past situation that is no longer true. It tells us that there was a repeated action or state in the past which has now changed.

She used to be a long-distance runner when she was younger.
I didn't use to sleep very well, but then I started doing yoga and it really helps.
Did you use to come here as a child?

be used to and get used to

Be used to means 'be familiar with' or 'be accustomed to'.

She's used to the city now and doesn't get lost any more.
He wasn't used to walking so much and his legs hurt after the hike.
I'm a teacher so I'm used to speaking in public.

We use get used to to talk about the process of becoming familiar with something.

I'm finding this new job hard but I'm sure I'll get used to it soon.
It took my mother years to get used to living in London after moving from Pakistan.
I'm getting used to the noise now. I found it really stressful when I first moved in.

Be used to and get used to are followed by a noun, pronoun or the -ing form of a verb, and can be used about the past, present or future.
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Now about the phrase:

“My parents are making me throw them a 25th anniversary party Friday.”

This is very natural spoken English. It has several useful everyday patterns:

make someone do something = force/push/pressure someone to do something
“My boss made me stay late.”
“My parents are making me help them.”

throw a party = organize/host a party
“We’re throwing a birthday party for her.”
“They threw him a surprise party.”

Level 1 — Safe / neutral English:
“My parents want me to organize their anniversary party.”
This is good for work, colleagues, and general polite conversation.

Level 2 — Natural conversational English:
“My parents want me to throw them an anniversary party.”
This is still polite and very natural.

Level 3 — More expressive spoken English:
“My parents are making me throw them an anniversary party.”
This sounds more like real-life storytelling. It suggests: “I don’t really have a choice.”

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The back office is the portion of a company made up of administration and support personnel who do not interact directly with customers. While the "front office" handles sales and client relations, the back office operates behind the scenes to keep the business running efficiently
// Benefits of back office reorganization can be seen from two perspectives, the user's and the suppliers' side.

"To touch base" means to briefly make contact or reconnect with someone to check in, exchange updates, or see how they are doing.
// I was just calling to touch base.
// It's important to touch base with our allies in this issue.
// I just wanted to touch base with you.
// Let's touch base next week to finalize the project timeline.
// I wanted to touch base with you and see if you received the email I sent yesterday.

The phrase "big hit" means a massive success, a highly popular attraction, or an object/person that is incredibly well-received. It is commonly used to describe movies, songs, or ideas, and can also describe a person who makes a great first impression.
// They're a big hit.
Common Usages:
General Success: "The new bakery downtown is an absolute big hit with the locals."
Entertainment: "Her latest single is a big hit on the streaming charts."
Personal Impressions: "You were a big hit with my parents—they loved meeting you!"