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You can't win
You can't win

Chapter XVI

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Context Illustration Reading 1/90 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
During my stay in San Francisco I lived at the Reno House, a small workingman’s lodgings in Sacramento Street.
It was owned by a man named Rolkin, a carpenter, who invested his small savings in it knowing nothing about the hotel business.
He had a “crazy notion” that he could put clean linen on every bed every day in this cheap place and survive.
His competitors said he was insane.
He persisted, however, and on that “crazy idea” he built a string of fine hotels that he counts to-day like a barefoot Franciscan counting his beads.
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AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

You can't win

Chapter XVI

Reading 1/90 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
During my stay in San Francisco I lived at the Reno House, a small workingman’s lodgings in Sacramento Street.
Line 2
It was owned by a man named Rolkin, a carpenter, who invested his small savings in it knowing nothing about the hotel business.
Line 3
He had a “crazy notion” that he could put clean linen on every bed every day in this cheap place and survive.
Line 4
His competitors said he was insane.
Line 5
He persisted, however, and on that “crazy idea” he built a string of fine hotels that he counts to-day like a barefoot Franciscan counting his beads.

Learner Dictionary

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, audio, and collocations from this reading.

About preposition US /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading “It was owned by a man named Rolkin, a carpenter, who invested his small savings in it knowing nothing about the hotel business.”

Could modal verb US /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading “He had a “crazy notion” that he could put clean linen on every bed every day in this cheap place and survive.”

During preposition US /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading “During my stay in San Francisco I lived at the Reno House, a small workingman’s lodgings in Sacramento Street.”

Every determiner US /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading “He had a “crazy notion” that he could put clean linen on every bed every day in this cheap place and survive.”

Fine noun US /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading “He persisted, however, and on that “crazy idea” he built a string of fine hotels that he counts to-day like a barefoot Franciscan counting his beads.”

However adverb US /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading “He persisted, however, and on that “crazy idea” he built a string of fine hotels that he counts to-day like a barefoot Franciscan counting his beads.”

Nothing pronoun US /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading “It was owned by a man named Rolkin, a carpenter, who invested his small savings in it knowing nothing about the hotel business.”

All words in this reading · 71

Every word is available to listen to. Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

adeterminerUS /ə/

used before a singular noun to mean one of a group, when it is not a particular one

From this reading During my stay in San Francisco I lived at the Reno House, a small workingman’s lodgings in Sacramento Street.

aboutprepositionUS /əˈbaʊt/

on the subject of; concerning

From this reading It was owned by a man named Rolkin, a carpenter, who invested his small savings in it knowing nothing about the hotel business.

andconjunctionUS /ənd/

used to join words or parts of a sentence that go together

From this reading He had a “crazy notion” that he could put clean linen on every bed every day in this cheap place and survive.

atprepositionUS /æt/

in or near a particular place or position

From this reading During my stay in San Francisco I lived at the Reno House, a small workingman’s lodgings in Sacramento Street.

barefoot

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He persisted, however, and on that “crazy idea” he built a string of fine hotels that he counts to-day like a barefoot Franciscan counting his beads.

beads

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He persisted, however, and on that “crazy idea” he built a string of fine hotels that he counts to-day like a barefoot Franciscan counting his beads.

bed

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had a “crazy notion” that he could put clean linen on every bed every day in this cheap place and survive.

built

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He persisted, however, and on that “crazy idea” he built a string of fine hotels that he counts to-day like a barefoot Franciscan counting his beads.

business

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was owned by a man named Rolkin, a carpenter, who invested his small savings in it knowing nothing about the hotel business.

byprepositionUS /baɪ/

showing who or what does the action

From this reading It was owned by a man named Rolkin, a carpenter, who invested his small savings in it knowing nothing about the hotel business.

carpenter

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was owned by a man named Rolkin, a carpenter, who invested his small savings in it knowing nothing about the hotel business.

cheap

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had a “crazy notion” that he could put clean linen on every bed every day in this cheap place and survive.

clean

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had a “crazy notion” that he could put clean linen on every bed every day in this cheap place and survive.

competitors

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading His competitors said he was insane.

couldmodal verbUS /kʊd/

the past of “can”; used for possibility or polite requests

From this reading He had a “crazy notion” that he could put clean linen on every bed every day in this cheap place and survive.

counting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He persisted, however, and on that “crazy idea” he built a string of fine hotels that he counts to-day like a barefoot Franciscan counting his beads.

counts

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He persisted, however, and on that “crazy idea” he built a string of fine hotels that he counts to-day like a barefoot Franciscan counting his beads.

crazy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had a “crazy notion” that he could put clean linen on every bed every day in this cheap place and survive.

day

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had a “crazy notion” that he could put clean linen on every bed every day in this cheap place and survive.

DuringprepositionUS /ˈdʊrɪŋ/

all through a period, or at some point within it

From this reading During my stay in San Francisco I lived at the Reno House, a small workingman’s lodgings in Sacramento Street.

everydeterminerUS /ˈevəri/

all the members of a group, with none left out

From this reading He had a “crazy notion” that he could put clean linen on every bed every day in this cheap place and survive.

finenounUS /fine/

an important story-specific word used in this passage

From this reading He persisted, however, and on that “crazy idea” he built a string of fine hotels that he counts to-day like a barefoot Franciscan counting his beads.

Franciscan

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He persisted, however, and on that “crazy idea” he built a string of fine hotels that he counts to-day like a barefoot Franciscan counting his beads.

Francisco

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading During my stay in San Francisco I lived at the Reno House, a small workingman’s lodgings in Sacramento Street.

hadauxiliary verbUS /hæd/

the past form of “have”, used to form the past perfect

From this reading He had a “crazy notion” that he could put clean linen on every bed every day in this cheap place and survive.

HepronounUS /hiː/

a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned, as the subject

From this reading He had a “crazy notion” that he could put clean linen on every bed every day in this cheap place and survive.

hisdeterminerUS /hɪz/

belonging to a man, boy, or male animal already mentioned

From this reading It was owned by a man named Rolkin, a carpenter, who invested his small savings in it knowing nothing about the hotel business.

hotel

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was owned by a man named Rolkin, a carpenter, who invested his small savings in it knowing nothing about the hotel business.

hotels

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He persisted, however, and on that “crazy idea” he built a string of fine hotels that he counts to-day like a barefoot Franciscan counting his beads.

House

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading During my stay in San Francisco I lived at the Reno House, a small workingman’s lodgings in Sacramento Street.

howeveradverbUS /ˌhaʊˈevər/

used to add a contrasting statement

From this reading He persisted, however, and on that “crazy idea” he built a string of fine hotels that he counts to-day like a barefoot Franciscan counting his beads.

IpronounUS /aɪ/

the person speaking or writing, as the subject of the verb

From this reading During my stay in San Francisco I lived at the Reno House, a small workingman’s lodgings in Sacramento Street.

idea

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He persisted, however, and on that “crazy idea” he built a string of fine hotels that he counts to-day like a barefoot Franciscan counting his beads.

inprepositionUS /ɪn/

inside something, or within a place, period, or state

From this reading During my stay in San Francisco I lived at the Reno House, a small workingman’s lodgings in Sacramento Street.

insane

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading His competitors said he was insane.

invested

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was owned by a man named Rolkin, a carpenter, who invested his small savings in it knowing nothing about the hotel business.

ItpronounUS /ɪt/

a thing, animal, or idea already mentioned

From this reading It was owned by a man named Rolkin, a carpenter, who invested his small savings in it knowing nothing about the hotel business.

knowing

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was owned by a man named Rolkin, a carpenter, who invested his small savings in it knowing nothing about the hotel business.

like

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He persisted, however, and on that “crazy idea” he built a string of fine hotels that he counts to-day like a barefoot Franciscan counting his beads.

linen

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had a “crazy notion” that he could put clean linen on every bed every day in this cheap place and survive.

lived

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading During my stay in San Francisco I lived at the Reno House, a small workingman’s lodgings in Sacramento Street.

lodgings

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading During my stay in San Francisco I lived at the Reno House, a small workingman’s lodgings in Sacramento Street.

man

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was owned by a man named Rolkin, a carpenter, who invested his small savings in it knowing nothing about the hotel business.

mydeterminerUS /maɪ/

belonging to the person speaking

From this reading During my stay in San Francisco I lived at the Reno House, a small workingman’s lodgings in Sacramento Street.

named

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was owned by a man named Rolkin, a carpenter, who invested his small savings in it knowing nothing about the hotel business.

nothingpronounUS /ˈnʌθɪŋ/

not one thing; not anything

From this reading It was owned by a man named Rolkin, a carpenter, who invested his small savings in it knowing nothing about the hotel business.

notion

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had a “crazy notion” that he could put clean linen on every bed every day in this cheap place and survive.

ofprepositionUS /ʌv/

belonging to, or connected with, somebody or something

From this reading He persisted, however, and on that “crazy idea” he built a string of fine hotels that he counts to-day like a barefoot Franciscan counting his beads.

onprepositionUS /ɑːn/

touching and supported by a surface

From this reading He had a “crazy notion” that he could put clean linen on every bed every day in this cheap place and survive.

owned

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was owned by a man named Rolkin, a carpenter, who invested his small savings in it knowing nothing about the hotel business.

persisted

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He persisted, however, and on that “crazy idea” he built a string of fine hotels that he counts to-day like a barefoot Franciscan counting his beads.

place

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had a “crazy notion” that he could put clean linen on every bed every day in this cheap place and survive.

put

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had a “crazy notion” that he could put clean linen on every bed every day in this cheap place and survive.

Reno

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading During my stay in San Francisco I lived at the Reno House, a small workingman’s lodgings in Sacramento Street.

Rolkin

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was owned by a man named Rolkin, a carpenter, who invested his small savings in it knowing nothing about the hotel business.

Sacramento

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading During my stay in San Francisco I lived at the Reno House, a small workingman’s lodgings in Sacramento Street.

said

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading His competitors said he was insane.

San

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading During my stay in San Francisco I lived at the Reno House, a small workingman’s lodgings in Sacramento Street.

savings

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was owned by a man named Rolkin, a carpenter, who invested his small savings in it knowing nothing about the hotel business.

small

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading During my stay in San Francisco I lived at the Reno House, a small workingman’s lodgings in Sacramento Street.

stay

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading During my stay in San Francisco I lived at the Reno House, a small workingman’s lodgings in Sacramento Street.

Street

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading During my stay in San Francisco I lived at the Reno House, a small workingman’s lodgings in Sacramento Street.

string

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He persisted, however, and on that “crazy idea” he built a string of fine hotels that he counts to-day like a barefoot Franciscan counting his beads.

survive

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He had a “crazy notion” that he could put clean linen on every bed every day in this cheap place and survive.

thatconjunctionUS /ðæt/

used to introduce what somebody said, thought, or felt

From this reading He had a “crazy notion” that he could put clean linen on every bed every day in this cheap place and survive.

thedeterminerUS /ðə/

used before a noun that is already known, already mentioned, or the only one of its kind

From this reading During my stay in San Francisco I lived at the Reno House, a small workingman’s lodgings in Sacramento Street.

thisdeterminerUS /ðɪs/

used for a person or thing that is near, or that has just been mentioned

From this reading He had a “crazy notion” that he could put clean linen on every bed every day in this cheap place and survive.

to-day

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading He persisted, however, and on that “crazy idea” he built a string of fine hotels that he counts to-day like a barefoot Franciscan counting his beads.

wasauxiliary verbUS /wɑːz/

the past form of “be” used with I, he, she, it, or a singular noun

From this reading It was owned by a man named Rolkin, a carpenter, who invested his small savings in it knowing nothing about the hotel business.

whopronounUS /huː/

which person or people

From this reading It was owned by a man named Rolkin, a carpenter, who invested his small savings in it knowing nothing about the hotel business.

workingman's

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading During my stay in San Francisco I lived at the Reno House, a small workingman’s lodgings in Sacramento Street.