If you bite off more than you can chew things might be difficult for you. This expression might sound like it is talking about eating but – don’t be fooled – it is not. Another expression with a similar meaning is to get in over your head. You can use both of these expressions when [...]
12/6/2008 - 12:00 am
Tags: idiom, love
Posted in Catch Word | 1 comment
Have you ever had a crush? At some time in your life, you have probably had a crush, someone who you liked in a special way. This week, Maura and Robin are talking about the expression, “to have a crush on someone”. They also look at other ways that you can say that you are [...]
11/22/2008 - 12:00 am
Tags: ESL Podcast, idiom
Posted in Catch Word | 1 comment
How are you feeling today? Are you a bit out of it? Here we look at a common expression for not quite feeling awake or present. Maybe Canadians are always sleepy because we use this expression often! Learn about it and similar expressions in this episode. Maura: Yeah, a lot of people are out of [...]
10/18/2008 - 6:38 pm
Tags: idiom
Posted in Curious Questions | 2 comments
You had better listen to this episode! Did you understand this first sentence? If you didn’t, check out this episode and hear us explain “had better” for you. We will also give you lots of examples of how to use it. Harp: Let’s explain had better just a little bit. So when you use, he [...]
10/4/2008 - 12:00 am
Tags: idiom
Posted in Curious Questions | No comments
Do you have all English idioms down cold? If you don’t know every English idiom, listen to this podcast to learn a couple more. The question this week is about the expression “to have something down cold.” Robin: “To have it down cold,” what does that mean? For example: “She has been rehearsing the play [...]
09/13/2008 - 12:00 am
Tags: idiom
Posted in Catch Word | No comments
This episode our idiom is “to get under someone’s skin.” This means to bother or annoy someone. We give tons of examples of how you can use it and look at similar expressions, like “to rub someone the wrong way” and “to drive someone crazy”. To find out what drives Harp crazy, start listening to [...]
08/30/2008 - 12:00 am
Tags: idiom
Posted in Catch Word | No comments
When you listen to our Culips podcast, are you eavesdropping? No, you aren’t because that would be rude. What is eavesdropping? It is a special kind of listening. In this episode, we explain the word eavesdropping and overhearing. Listen here! Maura: So, where are some places where people usually eavesdrop? Harp: I would say very [...]
07/12/2008 - 12:00 am
Tags: idiom
Posted in Catch Word | No comments
In this episode Robin and Maura look at the word watch. Watch can be a verb or a noun and is used in quite a few expressions. First we discuss how watch and look are different. Then we tell you how to watch out! Maura: Watch your lip. Robin: Hey! That’s a pretty harsh expression! [...]
07/5/2008 - 12:00 am
Tags: idiom
Posted in Curious Questions | No comments
Let’s listen to this Culips episode! This time we talk about the expressions beginning with “Let’s…” and “Why don’t we…”, give your examples and explain the differences between them. Why don’t you stop reading and listen to it now! Harp:The question in this episode is from Ming in China: Maura: What is the difference between [...]
06/21/2008 - 12:00 am
Tags: idiom, slang
Posted in Catch Word | No comments
Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. Do you know this expression? It’s a good one for kids to know. Check it out and other definitions like the one below in this episode! Maura – So like a stone they are not moving, they’re not showing any signs of [...]