Friends & datingAdvanced
Borrowing something from a friend in English (advanced)
Advanced English for borrowing something from a friend. Key line: “Hey, could I borrow your toolbox? My shelf's wobbling like it pays no rent.”
Full script
Lin
Hey, could I borrow your toolbox? My shelf's wobbling like it pays no rent.
Them
Sure—what happened, did one screw give up, or the whole thing revolt?
Lin
The left side keeps drooping, and now my books are sliding off dramatically.
Them
Take the small level too; it'll save you from fixing it crooked.
Lin
Lifesaver. I swear I'm not starting a home repair phase or anything.
Them
That's exactly what people say right before they buy a power drill.
Lin
If I come back asking for goggles, you have permission to stage an intervention.
Them
Deal—and if that shelf starts charging rent, I'm expecting my share.
Key phrases
The lines worth keeping. Read them once before you go out.
Borrowing
✓ Could I borrow your toolbox?Polite way to ask to borrow it
A natural way to ask to borrow something
Acting up
✓ acting upnot working right
Use for people or things
avoid
✓ save you from...so you don't...
Then say the bad result
Warning
✓ stage an interventionseriously tell you to stop
A joking warning
Quick answers
Borrowing: what to say in English
Say “Could I borrow your toolbox?” — polite way to ask to borrow it. A natural way to ask to borrow something.
Acting up: what to say in English
Say “acting up” — not working right. Use for people or things.
avoid: what to say in English
Say “save you from...” — so you don't. Then say the bad result.
Warning: what to say in English
Say “stage an intervention” — seriously tell you to stop. A joking warning.