Lin SaysYour English-speaking buddy 中文 Start free
EverydayAdvanced

The ATM ate my card in English (advanced)

Advanced English for the ATM ate my card. Key line: “Hi, could you help me? The ATM just ate my card.”

Full script

Lin
Hi, could you help me? The ATM just ate my card.
Them
Oh no—that happens sometimes, unfortunately. Which machine was it, and when?
Lin
The one by the door; it flashed an error, then kept it.
Them
Got it. Did you finish your transaction, or did it freeze mid-way?
Lin
I was trying to withdraw cash, and it quit on me first.
Them
Okay, I can block the card and check whether the machine captured it.
Lin
Please do—I'd rather the ATM didn't start a collection with my card.
Them
Fair enough—we'll sort it out, and I promise our ATM doesn't keep souvenirs.

Key phrases

The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.

Help
✓ Could you help me?

Polite way to ask for help

Natural way to ask for help

Error
✓ It flashed an error.

Says the screen showed an error

flash: appear on screen quickly

Stopped
✓ It quit on me.

The machine suddenly stopped working

Casual; sounds a bit frustrated

Fix
✓ We'll sort it out.

Means the problem will be handled

More natural than 'solve' here

Quick answers

Help: what to say in English

Say “Could you help me?” — polite way to ask for help. Natural way to ask for help.

Error: what to say in English

Say “It flashed an error.” — says the screen showed an error. flash: appear on screen quickly.

Stopped: what to say in English

Say “It quit on me.” — the machine suddenly stopped working. Casual; sounds a bit frustrated.

Fix: what to say in English

Say “We'll sort it out.” — means the problem will be handled. More natural than 'solve' here.

Next: Leaving a conversationAll scenes