Catch Word
Like water off a duck’s back
05/5/2013
by Culips
in Catch Word
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
When someone says something negative or critical about you, sometimes it can bother or upset you. But it’s important not to take things like this too personally, just like this week’s expression: like water off a duck’s back. In this episode, we look at idioms that mean that you don’t let someone’s negative comments affect you. We think that’s good advice. Check out this episode to hear about brushing things off and constructive criticism.
| Maura: | In this example, someone was really upset about getting in trouble with her boss, about not meeting deadlines, and she talked about another colleague, Sheila, who didn’t get upset. Sheila treated the boss’s comments like water off a duck’s back. They didn’t bother her and she didn’t get upset. |
| Harp: | Yeah. Sheila didn’t let the boss get to her. She didn’t let his negative comments and his yelling at her get her upset. |
| Maura: | And that is important. Sometimes you should listen to criticism. This is actually called constructive criticism, when someone is just trying to give you advice so you can improve yourself and be better. That’s important, but it’s also important that if someone is saying something negative to you, you don’t take it too personally, either. |
| Harp: | Yeah. It’s important to not be too sensitive when people are trying to give you constructive criticism, or even when they’re just criticizing. It’s important to just not let it affect you too much. |
Expressions from this episode included in the Learning Materials:
| To get the hang of something | To let something get to you |
| Like water off a duck’s back | Constructive criticism |
| To nag | To brush something off |
| Right off the bat | To suck |
| To put your nose to the grindstone | To laugh something off |
| To get under your skin | Cool |
| Not to sweat something |
Podcast/Learning Materials: Culips English Podcast, Photo Culips
Let’s put it on the shelf for now
04/14/2013
by Culips
in Catch Word
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Sometimes we don’t want to discuss something right now. We want to discuss it later instead, because it is not immediately important. In this case, we can put something on the shelf and talk about it again in the future. This week’s episode is about putting those kinds of things on the shelf. You don’t want to forget about something completely, but it just doesn’t have priority. Don’t put listening to this episode on the shelf! Listen and start using the expressions right away.
| Maura: | The beginning of this expression sounds just like the first expression, but it’s different at the end. To put something on the back burner. |
| Harp: | Yes. To put something on the back burner. |
| Maura: | And this means just the same as to put something on the shelf. When you put something on the back burner, you are not going to deal with it right now, you’re going to temporarily put it on hold. And at some time in the future, you will deal with it. |
| Harp: | Yeah. You’re not gonna give it immediate action or thought, you’re gonna let it go for a little bit and not think about, and later you’re gonna deal with it. |
| Maura: | Right. It’s something that doesn’t need to be discussed right now. Now, a back burner is actually part of a stove. And when you put something on the back burner, it’s not something that needs your immediate attention while cooking. You can kind of put it on the back and just let it simmer on its own; you don’t need to pay close attention to it. The same goes for whatever you’re dealing with. If you’re not going to give it full attention right now, you can say you put it on the back burner. |
Expressions from this episode included in the Learning Materials:
| To do your own thing | To put something on the shelf |
| A secretary | To deal with something |
| Funny story | To find common ground |
| Extra hands | To put something on the back burner |
| A lemon | To put something on ice |
| A city councillor | A time frame |
Podcast/Learning Materials: Culips English Podcast, Photo Culips
Let bygones be bygones
03/31/2013
by Culips
in Catch Word
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
This episode is all about forgetting the negative things that happened to us in the past and moving forward with our lives. This is always a good idea, so we’ve got a few expressions to remind us of this. If you had an argument with someone, or if something didn’t happen the way you wanted it to, it may be better not to think about it anymore. Put the past behind you and listen to this episode.
| Maura: | This expression sounds very repetitive because it repeats the same word twice—bygones. So the expression is let bygones be bygones. |
| Harp: | Yeah. And bygones mean something from the past, something that happened at an earlier time. And so this expression, to let bygones be bygones, it means to let unpleasant things that have happened in the past stay in the past. You forget about them. You don’t bring them up again. You just let it go. |
| Maura: | Right. It’s like saying something that happened in the past happened in the past, not the present, so don’t think about it now. |
| Harp: | For example, if you had an argument or a fight with someone in the past, don’t bring it up again. Don’t think about it. Let bygones be bygones. |
Expressions from this episode included in the Learning Materials:
| To let bygones be bygones | To bring something up |
| Miffed | To put something behind you |
| To flare up | To get down on yourself |
| To let sleeping dogs lie | Split infinitives |
| To be around | To be on someone |
| An old flame | To go down that road (again) |
| To come to your senses | To be right around the corner |
Podcast/Learning Materials: Culips English Podcast, Photo eHow
It’s in mint condition
03/24/2013
by Culips
in Catch Word
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
When buying or selling used items, it’s important to know what condition the items are in. In this episode, we talk about some expressions that are used to describe an item’s condition. We look at expressions to say that something is in excellent condition, bad condition, or somewhere in the middle. If you like looking for deals online from people selling their stuff, or if you’re a second-hand shopper, then this episode is worth a listen!
| Harp: | These expressions are often used when you’re buying or selling something. |
| Maura: | All right. So, first we’re going to talk about an expression that means something is in very, very good condition; that it’s like brand new. |
| Harp: | Yeah. This expression is mint condition. |
| Maura: | You know, I really like this expression. It is mint condition. |
| Harp: | Yeah. Mint condition. |
| Maura: | Now, you know, I kind of remember when I was a kid and hearing this expression for the first time, and thinking that it was so strange. I didn’t understand, because I was thinking of mint, you know? Like the herb or, like, you have a mint after dinner. And I did not understand how mint condition could mean very good condition. |
Expressions from this episode included in the Learning Materials:
| Mint condition | Brand new |
| New to someone | Or anything |
| Wear and tear | To see something for yourself |
| Craigslist | To keep on an eye on something |
| To have seen better days | Up close |
| To keep an eye out for something | To be in good shape |
Podcast/Learning Materials: Culips English Podcast, Photo Culips
Slowpoke
03/10/2013
by Culips
in Catch Word
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Some people like to move slowly and never rush, and we’ve got special names for these people. This episode focuses on the funny little names that we use to talk about this kind of person. Do you have a slowpoke in your life? Or are you a lollygagger yourself? Don’t be a dawdler—hurry up and listen to this episode!
| Harp: | They’re walking really slowly. They’re taking their time. They’re a slowpoke. |
| Maura: | Yeah. You know, I’m usually not a slowpoke, and when I really want to get somewhere, slowpokes kind of bug me a little bit. It’s like, “Hurry up! Let’s go! Come on!” |
| Harp: | I know. It’s funny because I work downtown and often, on the main streets, so many people are slowpokes. And it’s because they’re on vacation, they’re taking it easy, while I’m in work mode and I’m trying to get somewhere really quickly and they’re just slowpokes. |
| Maura: | Yeah. But at the same time, slowpokes are normally laid back, they’re not stressed, they’re not in a rush. So I guess that’s the upside to being a slowpoke. |
Expressions from this episode included in the Learning Materials:
| To be up to something | To get down to business |
| A slowpoke | To bug someone |
| To be in work mode | The upside |
| To take your time | To take time to smell the roses |
| What can you do? | To dillydally |
| A dawdler | To go from point A to point B |
| To have a look | A lollygagger |
Podcast/Learning Materials: Culips English Podcast, Photo Imgur
