Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does it mean if someone says they are 'on a roll'?
What does it mean if someone says they are 'on a roll'?
What can be inferred when someone says that their work feels like 'second nature'?
What can be inferred when someone says that their work feels like 'second nature'?
What does the expression 'shoot your shot' imply in a social or professional context?
What does the expression 'shoot your shot' imply in a social or professional context?
If someone is said to have baby fever, what does that mean?
If someone is said to have baby fever, what does that mean?
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When someone decides to 'stand by' their decision, what does it imply?
When someone decides to 'stand by' their decision, what does it imply?
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What is the meaning of the expression 'give push back'?
What is the meaning of the expression 'give push back'?
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What does it mean when someone is said to have 'baby fever'?
What does it mean when someone is said to have 'baby fever'?
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What does the term 'bingo' signify in the context used in the lesson?
What does the term 'bingo' signify in the context used in the lesson?
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What does the phrase 'get after it' imply in a workplace context?
What does the phrase 'get after it' imply in a workplace context?
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How is the phrase 'it's so you' typically used?
How is the phrase 'it's so you' typically used?
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What does it mean if something comes naturally or is 'second nature'?
What does it mean if something comes naturally or is 'second nature'?
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What does the phrase 'shoot your best shot' suggest?
What does the phrase 'shoot your best shot' suggest?
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What does it mean for characters in movies to 'ride off into the sunset'?
What does it mean for characters in movies to 'ride off into the sunset'?
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In what scenario would you likely use the phrase 'batten down the hatches'?
In what scenario would you likely use the phrase 'batten down the hatches'?
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Which of the following describes someone who is 'on a roll'?
Which of the following describes someone who is 'on a roll'?
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How might one express doubt about someone's ability according to the idioms learned?
How might one express doubt about someone's ability according to the idioms learned?
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What does cleaning 'from top to bottom' entail?
What does cleaning 'from top to bottom' entail?
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How can you use the phrase 'from head to toe'?
How can you use the phrase 'from head to toe'?
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What is a common effect of successfully using new idioms in conversation?
What is a common effect of successfully using new idioms in conversation?
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What is a common context for using the idiom 'shoot your shot'?
What is a common context for using the idiom 'shoot your shot'?
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What does the phrase 'give back' typically mean?
What does the phrase 'give back' typically mean?
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When might a company need to restructure 'from top to bottom'?
When might a company need to restructure 'from top to bottom'?
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When someone is excited to finally find something they lost, they might exclaim:
When someone is excited to finally find something they lost, they might exclaim:
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Which of the following best describes the situation when someone has to 'get after' their to-do list?
Which of the following best describes the situation when someone has to 'get after' their to-do list?
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The phrase 'give to charities' is most directly related to which of the following?
The phrase 'give to charities' is most directly related to which of the following?
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What does the phrase 'slip away' most commonly refer to in a sensitive context?
What does the phrase 'slip away' most commonly refer to in a sensitive context?
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What does it mean to be in the 'time of your life' with respect to retirement?
What does it mean to be in the 'time of your life' with respect to retirement?
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What does the phrase 'dirty from head to toe' typically mean?
What does the phrase 'dirty from head to toe' typically mean?
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In what context would someone say they are 'battening down the hatches'?
In what context would someone say they are 'battening down the hatches'?
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In what situation would you likely say 'don't go there'?
In what situation would you likely say 'don't go there'?
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What is suggested by saying 'it's common sense'?
What is suggested by saying 'it's common sense'?
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If someone tells you 'get after it' before a meeting, what do they mean?
If someone tells you 'get after it' before a meeting, what do they mean?
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When you say 'let's call it a night', what are you indicating?
When you say 'let's call it a night', what are you indicating?
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What does the expression 'slipped up' refer to?
What does the expression 'slipped up' refer to?
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Who is often credited with coining many phrases that are still used today?
Who is often credited with coining many phrases that are still used today?
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If someone is said to be 'driving you crazy', what does it imply?
If someone is said to be 'driving you crazy', what does it imply?
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What does the command 'out with it' encourage someone to do?
What does the command 'out with it' encourage someone to do?
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What does it mean to 'stop by' someone's house?
What does it mean to 'stop by' someone's house?
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What does 'spit it out' mean in conversation?
What does 'spit it out' mean in conversation?
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The phrase 'let's call it' can generally mean what?
The phrase 'let's call it' can generally mean what?
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What does 'leaving them in the dust' imply in a competitive context?
What does 'leaving them in the dust' imply in a competitive context?
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What does the acronym GTL stand for as coined in Jersey Shore?
What does the acronym GTL stand for as coined in Jersey Shore?
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When facing problems 'head on', what type of approach is being used?
When facing problems 'head on', what type of approach is being used?
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If someone suggests 'let's call it a day', what are they implying?
If someone suggests 'let's call it a day', what are they implying?
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What does it mean to 'shrug it off'?
What does it mean to 'shrug it off'?
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What is the effect of coining a phrase in language?
What is the effect of coining a phrase in language?
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What does 'time slipping away' imply?
What does 'time slipping away' imply?
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What does saying someone is 'itchy from head to toe' generally indicate?
What does saying someone is 'itchy from head to toe' generally indicate?
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If someone says they are 'under pressure to perform', what does this mean?
If someone says they are 'under pressure to perform', what does this mean?
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Why might someone consider saying 'it's common sense' as rude?
Why might someone consider saying 'it's common sense' as rude?
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What is a common reaction to negative feedback that you might 'shrug off'?
What is a common reaction to negative feedback that you might 'shrug off'?
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Study Notes
Useful English Idioms
-
On a roll - experiencing repeated success.
- Example: "After winning three games in a row, the team felt like they were on a roll."
-
Second nature - something that comes easily and naturally.
- Example: "After years of playing music, the piano is just second nature to some people."
-
Bingo - used to express excitement when someone gets the right answer or solution.
- Example: "When you finally find your lost wallet, you could yell Bingo."
-
Stand By - to support a decision, person, or cause.
- Example: "I decided to start my own English teaching business and I have stood by my decision."
-
Shoot your shot - to attempt something risky or challenging, even if there's a low chance of success.
- Example: "I'm going to shoot my shot and apply for that job."
-
Give pushback - to oppose or resist a new idea or suggestion.
- Example: "I'm going to have to push back on you a little bit, I don't think this strategy will work."
-
Baby fever - a strong desire to start a family.
- Example: "That baby is so cute, is it giving you baby fever?"
-
Give back - donate money or volunteer time to a cause.
- Example: "Many people believe it's important to give back in life."
-
Get after it - start working hard and pursue a goal.
- Example: "I'm going to get after this to-do list and get it done."
-
It's so you - something that perfectly matches someone's personality or style.
- Example: "That dress is so you! It really matches your rock star style."
-
Ride off into the sunset - to end a journey, project, or phase of life with a happy and successful outcome.
- Example: "I can't wait to retire and ride off into the sunset."
-
Batten down the hatches - prepare for a challenging time or storm by making preparations and securing things.
- Example: "I have a lot of work coming up, I'm going to have to batten down the hatches."
-
From top to bottom - very thorough and complete.
- Example: "I cleaned the house from top to bottom before my guests arrived."
-
From head to toe - covering the entire body.
- Example: "I have mud from head to toe after playing in the garden."
-
Common Sense - something that should be easily understood by everyone.
- Example: "It's common sense to wear a seatbelt in the car."
-
Slip up - to make a mistake or error, often unintentionally.
- Example: "Whoops, I slipped up and told you a secret."
-
Drive you crazy - to annoy or irritate someone excessively.
- Example: "My noisy roommate is driving me crazy."
-
Stop by - to visit someone's house briefly, often because you are in the area.
- Example: "I'm going to stop by your house because I'm in the neighborhood."
-
Leave someone in the dust - to beat someone decisively in a competition.
- Example: "That contestant is answering all the questions and leaving the others in the dust."
-
Face your problems head on - to confront problems directly and deal with them.
- Example: "I'm going to face my problems head on and talk to her directly."
-
Shrug it off - to ignore or dismiss something unpleasant.
- Example: "I'm just going to shrug off that rude comment."
-
Slip Away - to pass quickly or disappear.
- Example: "The summer is slipping away, and soon it will be winter."
-
Don't go there - to avoid discussing a sensitive or offensive topic.
- Example: "Don't go there, we don't want to start arguing about politics again."
-
Call it - to end something, such as an argument or activity.
- Example: "Let's call it a night, I'm tired."
Coining Phrases
- Coining a phrase means inventing a new phrase or expression.
- William Shakespeare is credited with coining many English phrases still used today.
Examples of Coined Phrases
- GTL is an example of a coined phrase from the TV show Jersey Shore. It stands for Gym, Tan, Laundry.
- Out with it is a casual command used to encourage someone to tell a secret or express themselves. This phrase is used when someone is being hesitant or nervous to speak.
- Spit it out is another informal phrase with the same meaning as "out with it". It is used to urge someone to say what they are thinking directly, without worrying about the listener's reaction.
Studying That Suits You
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Description
Test your knowledge of common English idioms with this quiz. Each question will challenge you to understand and use these phrases in context. See how well you know expressions like 'on a roll' and 'shoot your shot'!
