Expression: To put your foot in your mouth
Podcast: Play in new window
| Download
Sometimes we embarrass ourselves by saying something stupid. You can say, I embarrassed myself by saying something stupid or you can say I put my foot in my mouth. In this episode we look at that expression and also to make a fool of myself. Both of these expressions are used for embarrassing behaviour. Listen to this episode to hear our examples of situations most people consider embarrassing.
 |
 |
 |
 |
Harp: Yeah, I like this one as well. So, this is to put your foot in your mouth.
Maura: Right. So the meaning of this expression is to embarrass yourself by something you that you say.
Harp: And this can also make others uncomfortable or embarrassed too.
Maura: Right! So you say something stupid or strange and it creates an uncomfortable situation.
Harp: Yeah. If you imagine trying to actually put your foot in your mouth, it would be embarrassing, and make you look stupid.
Maura: Yeah, I think for most people it would be a very difficult thing to do, to put your foot in your mouth.
Harp: Exactly!
Maura: So, the result is really the same. In both cases, whether you say something stupid or you try to put your foot in your mouth, you are embarrassed and you look stupid.
Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: Jo Jakeman
No trackbacks yet.
Do you usually try to look on the bright side?
07/18/2010 - 10:17 pm
Posted in Catch Word | No comments
When you find yourself in a bad situation, do you try to look on the bright side? If your friend gets some bad news, have you ever said: Every cloud has a silver lining? When life gives you lemons, do you make lemonade? In this episode, we are optimistic and trying to find the [...]
Harp is a chip off the old block.
07/4/2010 - 8:02 pm
Posted in Catch Word | 1 comment
Are you a chip off the old block? Are you similar to any relatives that came before you? In this episode we are talking about family, and how often family members look alike and act alike. There are many ways to talk about this, and some especially fun expression like to be a chip [...]
Expression: are you on the ball today?
06/13/2010 - 5:29 pm
Posted in Catch Word | No comments
In this episode we look at expressions that describe someone who is intelligent, prepared, capable of doing some work! Do you know someone like this? Do you know someone who always seems on the ball? If you know someone who is alert and knows how to get the job done, then you may need to [...]
Expression: To brush up on something
04/11/2010 - 8:05 pm
Posted in Catch Word | No comments
You might be checking out this Culips episode because you are brushing up on your English! In this episode we look at three expressions that mean exactly the same thing: to brush up on, to bone up on, to polish up on. These expressions are good to know if you are studying something you already [...]
To tear a strip off someone
04/4/2010 - 12:00 am
Posted in Catch Word | No comments
As Harp and Robin explain in this episode, to tear a strip off someone, is to get very upset at them and to express that emotion in a very harsh and angry way. This could involve yelling or screaming, or just very angry, mean words.
As you can imagine, literally getting a strip torn off [...]
Expression: Two-faced
03/28/2010 - 6:24 pm
Posted in Catch Word | No comments
In this episode we talk about a person that you do not want to be friends with. We describe a person who is two-faced! We also give examples of how a person talks behind another’s back and how someone backstabs another. If you ever find yourself in these situations you will know how to [...]
Expression: Shrug it off
02/14/2010 - 6:23 pm
Posted in Catch Word | 6 comments
In this episode, Robin and Jessie discuss the expression to shrug something off. Check out the picture here to see an example of someone shrugging. In certain situations a person may want to shrug it off, or have to roll with the punches, and afterwards pick up the pieces. Listen to hear how all these [...]
Slang: Dude!
01/24/2010 - 12:39 am
Posted in Curious Questions | 1 comment
Dude! This word is very popular nowadays, especially with young people. You can often hear this word in movies and television shows, or with your Native English speaker friends. It has been around for awhile but young people are using the word dude, more and more. So…dude, what does it mean?
Maura: You want to [...]
Pet Peeves
01/10/2010 - 11:10 pm
Posted in Chatterbox | 2 comments
Everyone has personal pet peeves that bother you. Someone’s pet peeves are usually cultural. Pet peeves are usually small, day-to-day things. Are you curious about what pet peeves are now? Listen to this episode to find out what they are. All of the Culips members share their personal pet peeves too!
Robin: [...]
Expression: Corny
11/29/2009 - 11:05 pm
Posted in Catch Word | 4 comments
Sometimes movies are corny, or music is corny. It is a fun adjective that can describe just about anything. A synonym for corny is cheesy, and it has nothing to do with cheese! Check out this episode to hear our corny examples.
Harp: Corny.
Jessie: I like it.
Harp: I like it as well.
Jessie: So, does that [...]
Of all the podcasts with 'real world' English examples, I like yours the best. Maybe its the fun you put into the lessons. The students can here that in your voices. And they also feel your dedication to what you are doing - it's just not a job you do, but a gift you give to everyone who listens. And while the students like the Lipservice PDFs for all the information it contains, as a teacher I am impressed by the professional effort put into making them. I give the Culips podcast and the Culips crew my highest recommendation, both as a teacher, and a listener. 
09/1/2009 - 12:35 pm
It’s so funny topic..I like it..Indeed, I had ever experienced about that..to put my foot in my mouth..I hope, I will never do it again.. it is a shame for me..
09/2/2009 - 4:54 am
This podcast is really interesting!! I’m a talkative and sometimes I offend my friends, I say anything without thinking carefully, I blame them, so I often make my friend annoyed, thus, I put my foot in my mouth!!! well, thanks for this podcast! Nice
09/8/2009 - 2:28 pm
Haha…it’s very funny.It’s normal that one put his foot on his mouth some time. You can’t avoid making mistakes, embarrassing yourselves all the time but just don’t ever do this again. I think it’s the most important thing. Anyway,thanks for this useful expression!!
09/12/2009 - 1:34 am
Thank you for your episodes, so helpful and interesting to learn English in this way!
09/20/2009 - 8:05 am
It’s really useful. Thanks so much!