English Idioms, Slang and Useful Vocabulary » expression http://esl.culips.com Sat, 31 Jul 2010 07:01:47 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en-us hourly 1 Listen to fun English podcasts with natural expressions and everyday vocabulary for language learners. Every Culips episode has interesting elements of culture as well as language. Culips ESL Podcast clean Culips ESL Podcast asami@culips.com asami@culips.com (Culips ESL Podcast) 2008-2009 Everyday English: idioms, slang and useful vocabulary English, ESL, study, idiom, podcast, language, lesson, slang, English Idioms, Slang and Useful Vocabulary » expression http://esl.culips.com/images/logo-iTunes.jpg http://esl.culips.com Do you usually try to look on the bright side? http://esl.culips.com/2010/07/do-you-usually-try-to-look-on-the-bright-side/ http://esl.culips.com/2010/07/do-you-usually-try-to-look-on-the-bright-side/#comments Mon, 19 Jul 2010 02:17:32 +0000 Culips http://esl.culips.com/?p=2605 To look on the bright side 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 good in the bad by looking at all these expressions. Check them out of you want to cheer someone up!


Robin Maura

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What is a Member?

Robin: Let’s do a dialogue.
Maura: I don’t know what to do.
Robin: What’s the matter?
Maura: Well, I’ve been looking for a job for months everyday. I send my resume, but I just can’t get a job. I think I’m going to be unemployed all summer.
Robin: Hey, hey, hey, look on the bright side. At least while we’re in the office, we’re working away, you can sit outside and enjoy that beautiful weather.
Maura: You’re right. The weather has been nice lately.
Robin: Yeah, so look on the bright side. At least you can do that.
Maura: OK, great. So that was a great example of someone who is in a bad situation.

Expression included from this episode in Lipservice:

To look on the bright side (of something) What’s the matter?
At least Cheer up
Every cloud has a silver lining (and variations) Cloud
Silver lining When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
Into a million pieces Shall
Novels and other types of books

Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: Pranav Singh

]]> http://esl.culips.com/2010/07/do-you-usually-try-to-look-on-the-bright-side/feed/ 0 expression 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, 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 good in the bad by looking at all these expressions. Check them out of you want to cheer someone up! What is a Member? Robin: Let’s do a dialogue. Maura: I don’t know what to do. Robin: What’s the matter? Maura: Well, I’ve been looking for a job for months everyday. I send my resume, but I just can’t get a job. I think I’m going to be unemployed all summer. Robin: Hey, hey, hey, look on the bright side. At least while we’re in the office, we’re working away, you can sit outside and enjoy that beautiful weather. Maura: You’re right. The weather has been nice lately. Robin: Yeah, so look on the bright side. At least you can do that. Maura: OK, great. So that was a great example of someone who is in a bad situation. Expression included from this episode in Lipservice: To look on the bright side (of something) What’s the matter? At least Cheer up Every cloud has a silver lining (and variations) Cloud Silver lining When life gives you lemons, make lemonade. Into a million pieces Shall Novels and other types of books Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: Pranav Singh Culips ESL Podcast clean 10:21 Harp is a chip off the old block. http://esl.culips.com/2010/07/harp-is-a-chip-off-the-old-block/ http://esl.culips.com/2010/07/harp-is-a-chip-off-the-old-block/#comments Mon, 05 Jul 2010 00:02:42 +0000 Culips http://esl.culips.com/?p=2568 Chip off the old block 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 off the old block, to be the spitting image of, and the old proverb, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.To learn more about this fun — and long – expressions, listen here!


Maura Harp

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What is a Member?

Harp: Yeah, when I visited my grandma the last time, she kept saying that I looked so similar to my aunt, she kept saying that I was a chip off the old block.
Maura: Yeah, OK, good. So really the meaning is that someone, like you in that example Harp, is made as the same thing as another person, in that case your aunt. So if you think about the old block as your aunt and the chip being you, you’re a chip off the old block, you’re made of the same stuff, you act alike, you look alike.
Harp: Yup, that makes sense to me.
Maura: Yeah, it’s actually a really old expression. It’s been around for a long time. I think since the 1600s.
Harp: Yeah, but we still use this expression.
Maura: Yeah, it’s been around for a long time but you still hear it today.
Harp: Yeah, of course, we use this often.

Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: Anita363

]]> http://esl.culips.com/2010/07/harp-is-a-chip-off-the-old-block/feed/ 1 expression,idioms 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, 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 off the old block, to be the spitting image of, and the old proverb, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.To learn more about this fun -- and long – expressions, listen here! What is a Member? Harp: Yeah, when I visited my grandma the last time, she kept saying that I looked so similar to my aunt, she kept saying that I was a chip off the old block. Maura: Yeah, OK, good. So really the meaning is that someone, like you in that example Harp, is made as the same thing as another person, in that case your aunt. So if you think about the old block as your aunt and the chip being you, you’re a chip off the old block, you’re made of the same stuff, you act alike, you look alike. Harp: Yup, that makes sense to me. Maura: Yeah, it’s actually a really old expression. It’s been around for a long time. I think since the 1600s. Harp: Yeah, but we still use this expression. Maura: Yeah, it’s been around for a long time but you still hear it today. Harp: Yeah, of course, we use this often. Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: Anita363 Culips ESL Podcast clean 13:44 Expression: are you on the ball today? http://esl.culips.com/2010/06/expression-are-you-on-the-ball-today/ http://esl.culips.com/2010/06/expression-are-you-on-the-ball-today/#comments Sun, 13 Jun 2010 21:29:00 +0000 Culips http://esl.culips.com/?p=2531 To be on the ballIn 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 use expressions like, to be on the ball, to be on top of it, and to have it together.


Maura Jessie

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Jessie: So where does this expression come from? Why do we say that?
Maura: Well, it actually does have an origin in baseball, and there are actually a lot of expressions related to baseball.
Jessie: Yeah, there are tons.
Maura: So this expression, to be on the ball, is also related to baseball. So when a pitcher throws the ball in baseball, really well and has good control, they would say that he was on the ball.
Jessie: OK, so originally to be on the ball meant to be in control of the ball but now we mean it to mean, to be in control of your life, to be in control of the situation.

Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: Laura Bittner

]]> http://esl.culips.com/2010/06/expression-are-you-on-the-ball-today/feed/ 0 expression 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 g... 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 use expressions like, to be on the ball, to be on top of it, and to have it together. Jessie: So where does this expression come from? Why do we say that? Maura: Well, it actually does have an origin in baseball, and there are actually a lot of expressions related to baseball. Jessie: Yeah, there are tons. Maura: So this expression, to be on the ball, is also related to baseball. So when a pitcher throws the ball in baseball, really well and has good control, they would say that he was on the ball. Jessie: OK, so originally to be on the ball meant to be in control of the ball but now we mean it to mean, to be in control of your life, to be in control of the situation. Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: Laura Bittner Culips ESL Podcast clean 9:13 Expression: To brush up on something http://esl.culips.com/2010/04/expression-to-brush-up-on-something/ http://esl.culips.com/2010/04/expression-to-brush-up-on-something/#comments Mon, 12 Apr 2010 00:05:12 +0000 Culips http://esl.culips.com/?p=2392 brushupYou 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 know or refreshing some of your old skills.


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Robin: And today we have a Catch Word that is a little bit special because we got an email from Italy.
Jessie: Yeah.
Robin: From a German woman who’s teaching German and English in Italy, in fact.
Jessie: Yeah, she teaches conversation lessons.
Robin: And her name is Bernadette. We’d like to say hi Bernadette.
Jessie: Hello.
Robin: And she wanted us to do an episode about the expression to brush up on something.
Jessie: Yeah, to brush up on something. And I think that is a great phrase for our Catch Word podcast.
Robin: Absolutely. What does it mean?
Jessie: Well, to brush up on something is to refresh your memory or to relearn something, to study something that you already kind of know, but you need to improve on.

Podcast/ Lipservice, Photo: alicejamieson

]]> http://esl.culips.com/2010/04/expression-to-brush-up-on-something/feed/ 0 brush up on,expression,to bone up on,to polish up on 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. 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 know or refreshing some of your old skills. Robin: And today we have a Catch Word that is a little bit special because we got an email from Italy. Jessie: Yeah. Robin: From a German woman who’s teaching German and English in Italy, in fact. Jessie: Yeah, she teaches conversation lessons. Robin: And her name is Bernadette. We’d like to say hi Bernadette. Jessie: Hello. Robin: And she wanted us to do an episode about the expression to brush up on something. Jessie: Yeah, to brush up on something. And I think that is a great phrase for our Catch Word podcast. Robin: Absolutely. What does it mean? Jessie: Well, to brush up on something is to refresh your memory or to relearn something, to study something that you already kind of know, but you need to improve on. Podcast/ Lipservice, Photo: alicejamieson Culips ESL Podcast clean 7:31 To tear a strip off someone http://esl.culips.com/2010/04/to-tear-a-strip-off-someone/ http://esl.culips.com/2010/04/to-tear-a-strip-off-someone/#comments Sun, 04 Apr 2010 04:00:07 +0000 Culips http://esl.culips.com/?p=2269 tear 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 you would be a very painful experience. Getting a strip torn off you in the idiomatic sense is often very painful in an emotional way!

Other related idioms we talk about in this episode are
-To chew someone out
-To give someone a piece of your mind

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Harp: Just last week, I was taking the bus and I was waiting at the bus stop, minding my own business, when all of a sudden this couple came to the bus stop, and she was very angry, very, very angry and she just started yelling at him, she was tearing a strip off him.
Robin: So the guy’s girlfriend was yelling at him. What was she yelling at him about?
Harp: Apparently he was cheating on her and she just found out.
Robin: OK. That’s not a conversation that you like to be having in public.
Harp: At all, ever, but in public would make it worse.

Podcast/ Lipservice, Photo: Culips ESL Podcast

]]> http://esl.culips.com/2010/04/to-tear-a-strip-off-someone/feed/ 0 expression 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 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 you would be a very painful experience. Getting a strip torn off you in the idiomatic sense is often very painful in an emotional way! Other related idioms we talk about in this episode are -To chew someone out -To give someone a piece of your mind Harp: Just last week, I was taking the bus and I was waiting at the bus stop, minding my own business, when all of a sudden this couple came to the bus stop, and she was very angry, very, very angry and she just started yelling at him, she was tearing a strip off him. Robin: So the guy’s girlfriend was yelling at him. What was she yelling at him about? Harp: Apparently he was cheating on her and she just found out. Robin: OK. That’s not a conversation that you like to be having in public. Harp: At all, ever, but in public would make it worse. Podcast/ Lipservice, Photo: Culips ESL Podcast Culips ESL Podcast clean 6:39 Expression: Two-faced http://esl.culips.com/2010/03/expression-two-faced/ http://esl.culips.com/2010/03/expression-two-faced/#comments Sun, 28 Mar 2010 22:24:54 +0000 Culips http://esl.culips.com/?p=2254 twofaces 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 talk about it. From Culips to you, we hope you don’t have any people like this in your lives!

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Robin: Well, the first expression is to be two-faced or simply just two-faced.
Maura: Right, so two-faced.
Robin: Two-faced.
Maura: So…like, to have two faces?
Robin: Absolutely. And this means that you’re not very honest. So you present yourself in one way around some people and in another way around other people.
Maura: Right. So you might say things in one situation but then in another situation you might say the exact opposite.
Robin: I can give you an example…

Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: Quinn Dombrowski

]]> http://esl.culips.com/2010/03/expression-two-faced/feed/ 0 expression 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. 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 talk about it. From Culips to you, we hope you don’t have any people like this in your lives! Robin: Well, the first expression is to be two-faced or simply just two-faced. Maura: Right, so two-faced. Robin: Two-faced. Maura: So…like, to have two faces? Robin: Absolutely. And this means that you’re not very honest. So you present yourself in one way around some people and in another way around other people. Maura: Right. So you might say things in one situation but then in another situation you might say the exact opposite. Robin: I can give you an example… Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: Quinn Dombrowski Culips ESL Podcast clean 7:34 Expression: Shrug it off http://esl.culips.com/2010/02/expression-shrug-it-off/ http://esl.culips.com/2010/02/expression-shrug-it-off/#comments Sun, 14 Feb 2010 22:23:08 +0000 Culips http://esl.culips.com/?p=1915 shrugIn 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 expressions are used differently.


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Jessie: So, I know that another example that I would have at work is sometimes, if my boss says something about my work, maybe gives me some criticism, says something I could be doing better, sometimes that kind of hurts my feelings but I know that it’s just work, it’s just my job. So I try to just shrug it off, and, you know, not get upset about it, not care, just shrug it off.
Robin: Forget about it. It’s not a big deal.
Jessie: So, are there any other expressions that we can use to talk about dealing with problems?
Robin: Absolutely. Another expression that we use to deal with problems is to roll with the punches.

Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Illustration: Asami Takemoto

]]> http://esl.culips.com/2010/02/expression-shrug-it-off/feed/ 6 expression 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, 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 expressions are used differently. Jessie: So, I know that another example that I would have at work is sometimes, if my boss says something about my work, maybe gives me some criticism, says something I could be doing better, sometimes that kind of hurts my feelings but I know that it’s just work, it’s just my job. So I try to just shrug it off, and, you know, not get upset about it, not care, just shrug it off. Robin: Forget about it. It’s not a big deal. Jessie: So, are there any other expressions that we can use to talk about dealing with problems? Robin: Absolutely. Another expression that we use to deal with problems is to roll with the punches. Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Illustration: Asami Takemoto Culips ESL Podcast clean 6:17 Slang: Dude! http://esl.culips.com/2010/01/expression-dude/ http://esl.culips.com/2010/01/expression-dude/#comments Sun, 24 Jan 2010 04:39:45 +0000 Culips http://esl.culips.com/?p=1852
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?

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Maura: You want to use dude with your friends in a casual environment like a party or something like that.
Harp: Yeah, so dude is an old word.
Maura: Yeah, and it has had a lot of different meanings that generally refer to a man.
Harp: Yeah exactly. And dude became popular in the 60s and the 70s in surfer culture and then it made its way into mainstream.
Maura: Yeah, so dude was really first used in a popular way by surfers, I guess maybe in California, somewhere where they surf in the USA.
Harp: Exactly, but we’ll talk about dude in the surfer culture in the Lipservice.

Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Video: Dude – Bud Light

]]> http://esl.culips.com/2010/01/expression-dude/feed/ 1 expression,slang 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, 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 use dude with your friends in a casual environment like a party or something like that. Harp: Yeah, so dude is an old word. Maura: Yeah, and it has had a lot of different meanings that generally refer to a man. Harp: Yeah exactly. And dude became popular in the 60s and the 70s in surfer culture and then it made its way into mainstream. Maura: Yeah, so dude was really first used in a popular way by surfers, I guess maybe in California, somewhere where they surf in the USA. Harp: Exactly, but we’ll talk about dude in the surfer culture in the Lipservice. Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Video: Dude - Bud Light Culips ESL Podcast clean 9:23 Pet Peeves http://esl.culips.com/2010/01/pet-peeves/ http://esl.culips.com/2010/01/pet-peeves/#comments Mon, 11 Jan 2010 03:10:32 +0000 The Culips Team http://esl.culips.com/?p=1696 petpeevesEveryone 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!

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Robin: What are some common pet peeves?
Maura: Well, a friend of mine really hates when people chew and eat with their mouth open.
Robin: OK.
Maura: …when they are eating but their mouth is open and you can hear what is going on in there and maybe they are talking at the same time.
Robin: That’s definitely one of my pet peeves too.
Maura: Yeah, so some pet peeves are really common and they bother or annoy a lot of people but pet peeves are kind of individual, like some thing that is my pet peeve that really bothers me, maybe is something that doesn’t bother you Robin, right?
Robin: Absolutely, it all depends on the person.

Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: Rennett Stowe

]]> http://esl.culips.com/2010/01/pet-peeves/feed/ 2 expression 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. 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: What are some common pet peeves? Maura: Well, a friend of mine really hates when people chew and eat with their mouth open. Robin: OK. Maura: …when they are eating but their mouth is open and you can hear what is going on in there and maybe they are talking at the same time. Robin: That’s definitely one of my pet peeves too. Maura: Yeah, so some pet peeves are really common and they bother or annoy a lot of people but pet peeves are kind of individual, like some thing that is my pet peeve that really bothers me, maybe is something that doesn’t bother you Robin, right? Robin: Absolutely, it all depends on the person. Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: Rennett Stowe Culips ESL Podcast clean 6:58 Expression: Corny http://esl.culips.com/2009/11/expression-corny/ http://esl.culips.com/2009/11/expression-corny/#comments Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:05:23 +0000 The Culips Team http://esl.culips.com/?p=1228 corny 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.


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Harp: Corny.
Jessie: I like it.
Harp: I like it as well.
Jessie: So, does that mean having to do with corn?
Harp: Um, no, not at all.
Jessie: What does it mean?
Harp: Something that is corny is something that is cliché, unoriginal; it’s oldfashioned.
Jessie: OK, so corny is an adjective describing something that’s not very sophisticated, maybe kind of sentimental.
Harp: Yeah, exactly.
Jessie: Not original.

Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: flydime

]]> http://esl.culips.com/2009/11/expression-corny/feed/ 4 expression 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. 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 mean having to do with corn? Harp: Um, no, not at all. Jessie: What does it mean? Harp: Something that is corny is something that is cliché, unoriginal; it’s oldfashioned. Jessie: OK, so corny is an adjective describing something that’s not very sophisticated, maybe kind of sentimental. Harp: Yeah, exactly. Jessie: Not original. Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: flydime Culips ESL Podcast clean 6:48 Expression: To be caught red-handed http://esl.culips.com/2009/11/expression-to-be-caught-red-handed/ http://esl.culips.com/2009/11/expression-to-be-caught-red-handed/#comments Mon, 09 Nov 2009 03:16:14 +0000 The Culips Team http://esl.culips.com/?p=918 red-handedWhen people commit crimes sometimes they get caught! That person may be caught in the act of doing it, and if you are caught in the act then we can say that you were caught red-handed. Another similar expression that is almost never used in a serious way is to be caught with your hand in the cookie jar. We give you lots of examples of being caught doing something and how to use the expressions here.

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Jessie: So the phrase being caught red-handed is actually an old phrase and was probably first used in Scotland. And it was actually pretty serious because it was about murdering somebody.

Maura: Right, yeah.

Jessie: If you murder somebody you might get blood on your hands. Your hands would be red and if somebody saw you, they would know that you were the murderer.

Maura: Right, if you have the blood on your hands of the person who was killed, then probably you killed that person.

Jessie: Right, but today we can use this in a more light-hearted way too.

Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo credit: Chief Trent

]]> http://esl.culips.com/2009/11/expression-to-be-caught-red-handed/feed/ 6 expression When people commit crimes sometimes they get caught! That person may be caught in the act of doing it, and if you are caught in the act then we can say that you were caught red-handed. Another similar expression that is almost never used in a serious... When people commit crimes sometimes they get caught! That person may be caught in the act of doing it, and if you are caught in the act then we can say that you were caught red-handed. Another similar expression that is almost never used in a serious way is to be caught with your hand in the cookie jar. We give you lots of examples of being caught doing something and how to use the expressions here. Jessie: So the phrase being caught red-handed is actually an old phrase and was probably first used in Scotland. And it was actually pretty serious because it was about murdering somebody. Maura: Right, yeah. Jessie: If you murder somebody you might get blood on your hands. Your hands would be red and if somebody saw you, they would know that you were the murderer. Maura: Right, if you have the blood on your hands of the person who was killed, then probably you killed that person. Jessie: Right, but today we can use this in a more light-hearted way too. Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo credit: Chief Trent Culips ESL Podcast clean Expression: Wing it http://esl.culips.com/2009/10/expression-wing-it/ http://esl.culips.com/2009/10/expression-wing-it/#comments Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:40:04 +0000 The Culips Team http://esl.culips.com/?p=910 wingitAt Culips, we plan our episodes in advance, we don’t just wing it. You can be specific and say that people can wing presentations or speeches, or you can simply say “wing it.” When you are not prepared, but you have to do something, you should try winging it.

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Maura: Let’s give a dialogue example, OK. Hey Harp, how was work today?
Harp: It was good. I had a presentation to give.
Maura: Oh really?
Harp: Yeah, I didn’t have any time to prepare for it so I had to wing it.
Maura: How did it go?
Harp: It went really well. I was on the spot, I improvised and people really enjoyed it.
Maura: Yeah, some people don’t need to prepare in advance.
Harp: I usually do but this time I winged it and it worked.

Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: D’Arcy Norman

]]> http://esl.culips.com/2009/10/expression-wing-it/feed/ 6 expression At Culips, we plan our episodes in advance, we don’t just wing it. You can be specific and say that people can wing presentations or speeches, or you can simply say “wing it.” When you are not prepared, but you have to do something, At Culips, we plan our episodes in advance, we don’t just wing it. You can be specific and say that people can wing presentations or speeches, or you can simply say “wing it.” When you are not prepared, but you have to do something, you should try winging it. Maura: Let’s give a dialogue example, OK. Hey Harp, how was work today? Harp: It was good. I had a presentation to give. Maura: Oh really? Harp: Yeah, I didn’t have any time to prepare for it so I had to wing it. Maura: How did it go? Harp: It went really well. I was on the spot, I improvised and people really enjoyed it. Maura: Yeah, some people don’t need to prepare in advance. Harp: I usually do but this time I winged it and it worked. Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: D'Arcy Norman Culips ESL Podcast clean To bite off more than you can chew http://esl.culips.com/2009/09/to-bite-off-more-than-you-can-chew/ http://esl.culips.com/2009/09/to-bite-off-more-than-you-can-chew/#comments Sun, 27 Sep 2009 01:06:55 +0000 The Culips Team http://esl.culips.com/?p=898 biteoffIf 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 you agree to do something and then find that it is too difficult.

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Jessie: Well, to bite off more than you can chew is to commit to doing something that you can’t actually do. It’s too much for you to actually do.
Maura: Right! So you get involved in something, but it’s more difficult than you realized and maybe too difficult for you.
Jessie: Right! Or maybe you take more responsibility than you can actually handle.
Maura: Right! So, if you imagine that you bite a piece of food and it’s a very, very big piece, it will be difficult to chew the food.
Jessie: Right! So, when we’re talking about this as an idiom, you can imagine that you’re agreeing to do something, but then you can’t actually do it. Just like you’re biting the food, but you can’t actually chew it.
Maura: Right, because it’s too much or too difficult.
Jessie: Exactly! So, for instance, if I agreed to arm wrestle Arnold Schwarzenegger, I would be biting off more than I can chew.
Maura: I think you would definitely be biting off more than you can chew because Arnold Schwarzenegger is pretty strong.
Jessie: Yeah, he’s probably a lot stronger than me.
Maura: And a lot stronger than me, too.

Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo credit: Dave 77459

]]> http://esl.culips.com/2009/09/to-bite-off-more-than-you-can-chew/feed/ 2 ESL Podcast,expression,idiom 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. 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 you agree to do something and then find that it is too difficult. Jessie: Well, to bite off more than you can chew is to commit to doing something that you can’t actually do. It’s too much for you to actually do. Maura: Right! So you get involved in something, but it’s more difficult than you realized and maybe too difficult for you. Jessie: Right! Or maybe you take more responsibility than you can actually handle. Maura: Right! So, if you imagine that you bite a piece of food and it’s a very, very big piece, it will be difficult to chew the food. Jessie: Right! So, when we’re talking about this as an idiom, you can imagine that you’re agreeing to do something, but then you can’t actually do it. Just like you’re biting the food, but you can’t actually chew it. Maura: Right, because it’s too much or too difficult. Jessie: Exactly! So, for instance, if I agreed to arm wrestle Arnold Schwarzenegger, I would be biting off more than I can chew. Maura: I think you would definitely be biting off more than you can chew because Arnold Schwarzenegger is pretty strong. Jessie: Yeah, he’s probably a lot stronger than me. Maura: And a lot stronger than me, too. Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo credit: Dave 77459 Culips ESL Podcast clean Expression: To put your foot in your mouth http://esl.culips.com/2009/08/expression-to-put-your-foot-in-your-mouth/ http://esl.culips.com/2009/08/expression-to-put-your-foot-in-your-mouth/#comments Mon, 31 Aug 2009 04:13:31 +0000 The Culips Team http://esl.culips.com/?p=859 putFootSometimes 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.

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Maura: Today’s expression is to put your foot in your mouth. It’s a long one.
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

]]> http://esl.culips.com/2009/08/expression-to-put-your-foot-in-your-mouth/feed/ 5 expression 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. 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. Maura: Today's expression is to put your foot in your mouth. It's a long one. 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 Culips ESL Podcast clean Expression: Mum’s the word http://esl.culips.com/2009/08/expression-mums-the-word/ http://esl.culips.com/2009/08/expression-mums-the-word/#comments Sat, 01 Aug 2009 17:22:58 +0000 The Culips Team http://esl.culips.com/?p=825 mumIf you want to tell someone to keep something a secret or promise to keep a secret for someone else you can use this expression: mum’s the word. At first it seems like a strange expression…mum is the word? Weird. But you will see it is not so complicated when we explain the possible origin of this expression and the meaning of mum.

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Jessie: The reason we say mum’s the word when we say don’t tell anyone my secret is because if you close your mouth and you’re keeping a secret, imagine how you would sound if you were trying to talk while you’re closing your mouth,
Maura: Mmmm mum mmm.
Jessie: Right. If your lips are closed you can’t make any words, all you can make is a kind of mmmum sound.
Maura: Right ,exactly. So you can’t tell the secret because your mouth is closed.
Jessie: And they think that the first time that was ever used was in a Shakespeare play.
Maura: Oh really?
Jessie: Yeah they said, “Seal up your lips and give no words but mum.”

Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo credit: Jehane

]]> http://esl.culips.com/2009/08/expression-mums-the-word/feed/ 1 ESL Podcast,expression If you want to tell someone to keep something a secret or promise to keep a secret for someone else you can use this expression: mum’s the word. At first it seems like a strange expression…mum is the word? Weird. If you want to tell someone to keep something a secret or promise to keep a secret for someone else you can use this expression: mum’s the word. At first it seems like a strange expression…mum is the word? Weird. But you will see it is not so complicated when we explain the possible origin of this expression and the meaning of mum. Jessie: The reason we say mum’s the word when we say don’t tell anyone my secret is because if you close your mouth and you’re keeping a secret, imagine how you would sound if you were trying to talk while you’re closing your mouth, Maura: Mmmm mum mmm. Jessie: Right. If your lips are closed you can’t make any words, all you can make is a kind of mmmum sound. Maura: Right ,exactly. So you can’t tell the secret because your mouth is closed. Jessie: And they think that the first time that was ever used was in a Shakespeare play. Maura: Oh really? Jessie: Yeah they said, “Seal up your lips and give no words but mum.” Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo credit: Jehane Culips ESL Podcast clean 6:04 Expression: There are plenty of fish in the sea http://esl.culips.com/2009/07/expression-plenty-of-fish/ http://esl.culips.com/2009/07/expression-plenty-of-fish/#comments Fri, 03 Jul 2009 23:18:27 +0000 The Culips Team http://esl.culips.com/?p=786 fishMany different languages around the world have this expression. Do you have this expression in your language? Listen to this episode about There are plenty of fish in the sea and see if you recognize a similar expression in your native language. Hint: This expression is often used when talking about relationships that didn’t work out.

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Jessie: So the expression There are plenty of fish in the sea means that there are other options available. So, just like if you were going fishing and you caught a fish but at the last minute he got away, someone might say, “Well, don’t worry. There are plenty of fish in the sea.” So that means you can easily catch another fish.
Harp: Exactly. So now, you can use this expression in different ways, but the most common one is used in reference to relationships.
Jessie: Right, so a boyfriend or a girlfriend. So it’s almost like saying that you are catching a boyfriend like you are catching a fish. So if you break up with your boyfriend, it’s like the fish got away.

Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Illust: wynlok

]]> http://esl.culips.com/2009/07/expression-plenty-of-fish/feed/ 4 expression Many different languages around the world have this expression. Do you have this expression in your language? Listen to this episode about There are plenty of fish in the sea and see if you recognize a similar expression in your native language. Many different languages around the world have this expression. Do you have this expression in your language? Listen to this episode about There are plenty of fish in the sea and see if you recognize a similar expression in your native language. Hint: This expression is often used when talking about relationships that didn’t work out. Jessie: So the expression There are plenty of fish in the sea means that there are other options available. So, just like if you were going fishing and you caught a fish but at the last minute he got away, someone might say, “Well, don’t worry. There are plenty of fish in the sea.” So that means you can easily catch another fish. Harp: Exactly. So now, you can use this expression in different ways, but the most common one is used in reference to relationships. Jessie: Right, so a boyfriend or a girlfriend. So it’s almost like saying that you are catching a boyfriend like you are catching a fish. So if you break up with your boyfriend, it’s like the fish got away. Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Illust: wynlok Culips ESL Podcast clean Expression: Get it over with http://esl.culips.com/2009/06/expression-get-it-over-with/ http://esl.culips.com/2009/06/expression-get-it-over-with/#comments Sat, 13 Jun 2009 18:48:48 +0000 The Culips Team http://esl.culips.com/?p=761 Photo by martapiqs
Sometimes studying another language is really hard. We wish we could just get it over with and speak the language well. That is today’s expression to get something over with. We usually use this expression when we have an obligation to do something that we don’t want to do. We use the examples of homework and cleaning toilets!

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Maura: The expression today is “to get something over with”.
Jessie: “To get something over with.”
Maura: Yeah, we usually say, “to get it over with”.
Jessie: Yeah, but we usually don’t say it that slow.
Maura: No, I’m saying it slow so that everyone listening can hear the words that I’m saying.
Jessie: So how does it sound if you were saying it in normal conversation?
Maura: Well, we say it very fast, we say “get it over with”.
Jessie: Right, so the ”t” kind of mixes with the “over”.
Maura: Exactly, it doesn’t sound like a hard “t” sound, so the real slow expression is “to get it over with”.
Jessie: “To get it over with.”
Maura: “To get it over with”, right that’s how we naturally say it. So now that we know what it sounds like. What does it mean?

Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo credit: martapiqs

]]> http://esl.culips.com/2009/06/expression-get-it-over-with/feed/ 3 ESL Podcast,expression Sometimes studying another language is really hard. We wish we could just get it over with and speak the language well. That is today’s expression to get something over with. We usually use this expression when we have an obligation to do something t... Sometimes studying another language is really hard. We wish we could just get it over with and speak the language well. That is today’s expression to get something over with. We usually use this expression when we have an obligation to do something that we don’t want to do. We use the examples of homework and cleaning toilets! Maura: The expression today is “to get something over with”. Jessie: “To get something over with.” Maura: Yeah, we usually say, “to get it over with”. Jessie: Yeah, but we usually don’t say it that slow. Maura: No, I’m saying it slow so that everyone listening can hear the words that I’m saying. Jessie: So how does it sound if you were saying it in normal conversation? Maura: Well, we say it very fast, we say “get it over with”. Jessie: Right, so the ”t” kind of mixes with the “over”. Maura: Exactly, it doesn’t sound like a hard “t” sound, so the real slow expression is “to get it over with”. Jessie: “To get it over with.” Maura: “To get it over with”, right that’s how we naturally say it. So now that we know what it sounds like. What does it mean? Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo credit: martapiqs Culips ESL Podcast clean 8:07 Expression: Rain check http://esl.culips.com/2009/06/expression-rain-check/ http://esl.culips.com/2009/06/expression-rain-check/#comments Sun, 07 Jun 2009 23:21:56 +0000 The Culips Team http://esl.culips.com/?p=712 Rain Check
The expression rain check in this episode has a few different meanings. The first one is described in the transcript below. And of course is connected to rain. Another kind of rain check is used in a story. And another one is used when people cancel plans. Get to know all the explanations by listening to this episode!

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Jessie: Today’s expression is “rain check”.
Maura: Yes, a rain check.
Jessie: Rain check. Rain check is kind of neat because it has a few different types of definitions.
Maura: OK.
Jessie: So let’s start off with the very literal definition. The first, and still a meaning, was kind of given to fans when they went to see an outdoor sports event if it rained and the event was cancelled. So, if they had that ticket they could either get their money back, because they didn’t get to watch that game or they could get into the next event free, the next time.
Maura: OK, so that makes sense, if there is an event and it rains, you get a rain check for the next event, when hopefully it is a sunny day.
Jessie: Right.
Maura: OK, what else do you have?
Jessie: OK, so another meaning for rain check is sometimes used at a store…

Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo credit: viZZZual.com, designed by Asami

]]> http://esl.culips.com/2009/06/expression-rain-check/feed/ 1 expression The expression rain check in this episode has a few different meanings. The first one is described in the transcript below. And of course is connected to rain. Another kind of rain check is used in a story. The expression rain check in this episode has a few different meanings. The first one is described in the transcript below. And of course is connected to rain. Another kind of rain check is used in a story. And another one is used when people cancel plans. Get to know all the explanations by listening to this episode! Jessie: Today’s expression is “rain check”. Maura: Yes, a rain check. Jessie: Rain check. Rain check is kind of neat because it has a few different types of definitions. Maura: OK. Jessie: So let’s start off with the very literal definition. The first, and still a meaning, was kind of given to fans when they went to see an outdoor sports event if it rained and the event was cancelled. So, if they had that ticket they could either get their money back, because they didn’t get to watch that game or they could get into the next event free, the next time. Maura: OK, so that makes sense, if there is an event and it rains, you get a rain check for the next event, when hopefully it is a sunny day. Jessie: Right. Maura: OK, what else do you have? Jessie: OK, so another meaning for rain check is sometimes used at a store… Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo credit: viZZZual.com, designed by Asami Culips ESL Podcast clean Expression: To pull strings http://esl.culips.com/2009/05/expression-to-pull-strings/ http://esl.culips.com/2009/05/expression-to-pull-strings/#comments Sun, 31 May 2009 01:23:07 +0000 The Culips Team http://esl.culips.com/?p=680 Pull StringsSometimes it is not easy to get what we want. What we want could be a job or tickets to a really popular show. In these cases, sometimes we can pull strings to get what we want. When people pull some strings, they use power to get what they want. Is it fair to pull strings?

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Harp: This is an idiomatic expression so there aren’t any real physical strings. It’s just an expression.
Maura: Right, the strings really represent the power and the connections to power that you have.
Harp: Exactly.
Maura: Good, you can pull strings, if you have power.
Harp: Exactly. Or someone can pull strings for you if they have power.
Maura: Exactly, it can work in all different ways, depends on who has the power. So what are some examples of where people might pull strings?
Harp: Well, there was that concert I wanted to go to last night.
Maura: OK.
Harp: Well I pulled some strings. I called my friend and he got me some tickets.

Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: Sister72

]]> http://esl.culips.com/2009/05/expression-to-pull-strings/feed/ 0 ESL Podcast,expression Sometimes it is not easy to get what we want. What we want could be a job or tickets to a really popular show. In these cases, sometimes we can pull strings to get what we want. When people pull some strings, they use power to get what they want. Sometimes it is not easy to get what we want. What we want could be a job or tickets to a really popular show. In these cases, sometimes we can pull strings to get what we want. When people pull some strings, they use power to get what they want. Is it fair to pull strings? Harp: This is an idiomatic expression so there aren’t any real physical strings. It’s just an expression. Maura: Right, the strings really represent the power and the connections to power that you have. Harp: Exactly. Maura: Good, you can pull strings, if you have power. Harp: Exactly. Or someone can pull strings for you if they have power. Maura: Exactly, it can work in all different ways, depends on who has the power. So what are some examples of where people might pull strings? Harp: Well, there was that concert I wanted to go to last night. Maura: OK. Harp: Well I pulled some strings. I called my friend and he got me some tickets. Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: Sister72 Culips ESL Podcast clean Expression: To hold a grudge http://esl.culips.com/2009/05/expression-to-hold-a-grudge/ http://esl.culips.com/2009/05/expression-to-hold-a-grudge/#comments Sat, 09 May 2009 19:36:22 +0000 The Culips Team http://esl.culips.com/?p=642 To hold a grudgeAre you holding a grudge against someone? Have you been mad at someone for a week? A year? 10 years? We hope not! To hold a grudge is not a good thing and means that you are mad for a long time. It is much nicer to be happy! Listen to this fun episode to learn more about holding a grudge and having hard feelings.

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Harp: So maybe something happened 10 years ago but you’re still angry, you’re still holding a grudge.
Robin: OK, can you give me an example?
Harp: For sure. So let’s say, that I have an ex-boyfriend and my friend decides she wants to date him and so she dates him for maybe a month. That is my ex-boyfriend, she is not allowed to date him! I’m still going to hold a grudge 10 years, 20 years later. I think it is an unwritten rule you can’t date your friends exes.
Robin: Ok so you would be mad 20 years later.
Harp: Ok maybe not 20 years but I would hold a grudge for a while.

Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: Lst1984

]]> http://esl.culips.com/2009/05/expression-to-hold-a-grudge/feed/ 0 ESL Podcast,expression Are you holding a grudge against someone? Have you been mad at someone for a week? A year? 10 years? We hope not! To hold a grudge is not a good thing and means that you are mad for a long time. It is much nicer to be happy! Are you holding a grudge against someone? Have you been mad at someone for a week? A year? 10 years? We hope not! To hold a grudge is not a good thing and means that you are mad for a long time. It is much nicer to be happy! Listen to this fun episode to learn more about holding a grudge and having hard feelings. Harp: So maybe something happened 10 years ago but you’re still angry, you’re still holding a grudge. Robin: OK, can you give me an example? Harp: For sure. So let’s say, that I have an ex-boyfriend and my friend decides she wants to date him and so she dates him for maybe a month. That is my ex-boyfriend, she is not allowed to date him! I’m still going to hold a grudge 10 years, 20 years later. I think it is an unwritten rule you can’t date your friends exes. Robin: Ok so you would be mad 20 years later. Harp: Ok maybe not 20 years but I would hold a grudge for a while. Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: Lst1984 Culips ESL Podcast clean Terms of Endearment http://esl.culips.com/2009/05/expression-terms-of-endearment/ http://esl.culips.com/2009/05/expression-terms-of-endearment/#comments Sat, 02 May 2009 17:01:55 +0000 The Culips Team http://esl.culips.com/?p=635 SweetheartOh Sweetheart! Sweetheart is one of the most popular terms people use to show someone they care about them. Every language has special names to use when speaking to the one you love. In English we have tons of names like this. This episode Maura and Robin explain some of these dear names, and when you might want to use them.

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Maura: Robin, do you use these terms of endearment, these special words for people?
Robin: Not so often, but it’s probably because I don’t have a romantic partner.
Maura: Well, I have a romantic partner but we don’t usually use these words, and I don’t use them with my family or friends either. Like we said, some people don’t use them at all. It’s probably the best advice to not use them because it’s hard to know when a good time to use them is.
Robin: And if you do use them, use them with your romantic partner. That’s probably the safest bet.
Maura: Right, so don’t use them but if you want to, if you want to try it, use these words with a romantic partner or a really close friend or family member. Ok, so now let’s get into these words.
Robin: We have a couple of them. There’s sweetheart, and sweetie, and there’s sweetie pie…

Podcast/ Lipservice: ESL Podcast Culips, Photo: ellie

]]> http://esl.culips.com/2009/05/expression-terms-of-endearment/feed/ 1 ESL Podcast,expression Oh Sweetheart! Sweetheart is one of the most popular terms people use to show someone they care about them. Every language has special names to use when speaking to the one you love. In English we have tons of names like this. Oh Sweetheart! Sweetheart is one of the most popular terms people use to show someone they care about them. Every language has special names to use when speaking to the one you love. In English we have tons of names like this. This episode Maura and Robin explain some of these dear names, and when you might want to use them. Maura: Robin, do you use these terms of endearment, these special words for people? Robin: Not so often, but it’s probably because I don’t have a romantic partner. Maura: Well, I have a romantic partner but we don’t usually use these words, and I don’t use them with my family or friends either. Like we said, some people don’t use them at all. It’s probably the best advice to not use them because it’s hard to know when a good time to use them is. Robin: And if you do use them, use them with your romantic partner. That’s probably the safest bet. Maura: Right, so don’t use them but if you want to, if you want to try it, use these words with a romantic partner or a really close friend or family member. Ok, so now let’s get into these words. Robin: We have a couple of them. There’s sweetheart, and sweetie, and there’s sweetie pie… Podcast/ Lipservice: ESL Podcast Culips, Photo: ellie Culips ESL Podcast clean Expression: Cut to the chase http://esl.culips.com/2009/04/expression-cut-to-the-chase/ http://esl.culips.com/2009/04/expression-cut-to-the-chase/#comments Mon, 27 Apr 2009 03:00:18 +0000 The Culips Team http://esl.culips.com/?p=627 cuttothechaseWhen someone is telling you a story with a lot of little details and you want them to get to the main point, you can say cut to the chase. This expression is used with friends when you want them to cut to the most interesting part of the story. You are too excited to wait! Check out the examples in this episode, and the other expression we mention that can be used in the same way.

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Robin: So, for example…Hey Maura, you know I borrowed your car yesterday?
Maura: Oh yeah, yeah.
Robin: Yeah and I took it for a spin around the block and I went up north and I came back.
Maura: Ok?
Robin: It’s a really good car but along the way I started noticing some problems.
Maura: Ok? Cut to the chase. Robin, what are you trying to say?
Robin: Oh, I broke your car!

Podcast/ Lipservice: ESL Podcast Culips, Photo: fairlightworks

]]> http://esl.culips.com/2009/04/expression-cut-to-the-chase/feed/ 0 ESL Podcast,expression When someone is telling you a story with a lot of little details and you want them to get to the main point, you can say cut to the chase. This expression is used with friends when you want them to cut to the most interesting part of the story. When someone is telling you a story with a lot of little details and you want them to get to the main point, you can say cut to the chase. This expression is used with friends when you want them to cut to the most interesting part of the story. You are too excited to wait! Check out the examples in this episode, and the other expression we mention that can be used in the same way. Robin: So, for example…Hey Maura, you know I borrowed your car yesterday? Maura: Oh yeah, yeah. Robin: Yeah and I took it for a spin around the block and I went up north and I came back. Maura: Ok? Robin: It’s a really good car but along the way I started noticing some problems. Maura: Ok? Cut to the chase. Robin, what are you trying to say? Robin: Oh, I broke your car! Podcast/ Lipservice: ESL Podcast Culips, Photo: fairlightworks Culips ESL Podcast clean Expression: Call Someone Names – Is this an insult? http://esl.culips.com/2009/03/expression-call-someone-names-is-this-an-insult/ http://esl.culips.com/2009/03/expression-call-someone-names-is-this-an-insult/#comments Sat, 21 Mar 2009 20:56:00 +0000 The Culips Team http://esl.culips.com/?p=569 callnameHave you ever been called a name? It is not a nice experience. Mohammed from Egypt wrote to us and asked us about this expression, to call someone names? He wanted to know if it was insulting or not. To find out about this expression and to hear some example of names check out this episode!

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Maura : Yeah, there are all sorts of possibilities of calling people names.
Robin : Absolutely.
Maura : So, for example we could say, “John called Paul an idiot and a jerk”. So John called Paul names.
Robin : That’s right
Maura : Hey, I got another example.
Robin : What is that?
Maura : Robin, did you hear that Sarah was calling Peter names?
Robin : Oh really, what was she calling him?
Maura : She was calling him stupid. Yup, not very nice.

Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: Leonid Mamchenkov

]]> http://esl.culips.com/2009/03/expression-call-someone-names-is-this-an-insult/feed/ 6 expression Have you ever been called a name? It is not a nice experience. Mohammed from Egypt wrote to us and asked us about this expression, to call someone names? He wanted to know if it was insulting or not. To find out about this expression and to hear some ... Have you ever been called a name? It is not a nice experience. Mohammed from Egypt wrote to us and asked us about this expression, to call someone names? He wanted to know if it was insulting or not. To find out about this expression and to hear some example of names check out this episode! Maura : Yeah, there are all sorts of possibilities of calling people names. Robin : Absolutely. Maura : So, for example we could say, “John called Paul an idiot and a jerk”. So John called Paul names. Robin : That’s right Maura : Hey, I got another example. Robin : What is that? Maura : Robin, did you hear that Sarah was calling Peter names? Robin : Oh really, what was she calling him? Maura : She was calling him stupid. Yup, not very nice. Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: Leonid Mamchenkov Culips ESL Podcast clean Expression: Once in a blue moon http://esl.culips.com/2009/03/expression-once-in-a-blue-moon/ http://esl.culips.com/2009/03/expression-once-in-a-blue-moon/#comments Sat, 07 Mar 2009 07:57:31 +0000 The Culips Team http://esl.culips.com/?p=558 onceinabluemoonHow often do you go to the beach? Everyday? Sometimes? Once in a blue moon? We use the expression once in a blue moon to talk about the frequency of something or how often you do a certain activity. We hope you listen to Culips more than once in a blue moon!

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Robin: Since she moved away you don’t see her as often or you rarely see her
Jessie: Exactly, I only see her once in a blue moon.
Robin: Do you have any other examples?
Jessie: Yeah, you could say, I usually drink tea. Once in a blue moon I like to have a cup of coffee.
Robin: Ok, so you drink tea every day but once in a while or every now and then you drink coffee.
Jessie: Exactly.

Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: different2une

]]> http://esl.culips.com/2009/03/expression-once-in-a-blue-moon/feed/ 2 ESL Podcast,expression How often do you go to the beach? Everyday? Sometimes? Once in a blue moon? We use the expression once in a blue moon to talk about the frequency of something or how often you do a certain activity. We hope you listen to Culips more than once in a blu... How often do you go to the beach? Everyday? Sometimes? Once in a blue moon? We use the expression once in a blue moon to talk about the frequency of something or how often you do a certain activity. We hope you listen to Culips more than once in a blue moon! Robin: Since she moved away you don’t see her as often or you rarely see her Jessie: Exactly, I only see her once in a blue moon. Robin: Do you have any other examples? Jessie: Yeah, you could say, I usually drink tea. Once in a blue moon I like to have a cup of coffee. Robin: Ok, so you drink tea every day but once in a while or every now and then you drink coffee. Jessie: Exactly. Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: different2une Culips ESL Podcast clean Expression: Plan B http://esl.culips.com/2009/02/expression-plan-b/ http://esl.culips.com/2009/02/expression-plan-b/#comments Sat, 28 Feb 2009 20:40:09 +0000 The Culips Team http://esl.culips.com/?p=549 planbSometimes we have a plan to do something and it does not work. In that case we need to plan something different, and that is when we use this expression. If you want to listen to this podcast, but your internet is not working, you will have to go to Plan B! What is your Plan B?

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Maura: So an example could be that I wanted to make something for dinner, I wanted to make pizza but then I realized I didn’t have tomato sauce so I went to Plan B, I decided to make something different for dinner.
Jessie: Right. So in that case, making pizza was your first plan and it didn’t work out so your Plan B was to make something else.
Maura: Yeah, I made pasta instead.
Jessie: Oh that sounds good.
Maura: Yeah, it was a good Plan B.
Jessie: You can also say something like, if I can’t pass this exam by studying hard, Plan B is to cheat on the exam.

Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: Hamed Saber

]]> http://esl.culips.com/2009/02/expression-plan-b/feed/ 3 ESL Podcast,expression Sometimes we have a plan to do something and it does not work. In that case we need to plan something different, and that is when we use this expression. If you want to listen to this podcast, but your internet is not working, Sometimes we have a plan to do something and it does not work. In that case we need to plan something different, and that is when we use this expression. If you want to listen to this podcast, but your internet is not working, you will have to go to Plan B! What is your Plan B? Maura: So an example could be that I wanted to make something for dinner, I wanted to make pizza but then I realized I didn’t have tomato sauce so I went to Plan B, I decided to make something different for dinner. Jessie: Right. So in that case, making pizza was your first plan and it didn’t work out so your Plan B was to make something else. Maura: Yeah, I made pasta instead. Jessie: Oh that sounds good. Maura: Yeah, it was a good Plan B. Jessie: You can also say something like, if I can’t pass this exam by studying hard, Plan B is to cheat on the exam. Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: Hamed Saber Culips ESL Podcast clean Expression: The Tip of the Iceberg http://esl.culips.com/2009/02/expression-the-tip-of-the-iceberg/ http://esl.culips.com/2009/02/expression-the-tip-of-the-iceberg/#comments Sun, 22 Feb 2009 22:41:29 +0000 The Culips Team http://esl.culips.com/?p=546 iceburgWe, in Montreal, hope this snowy weather is not just the tip of the iceberg! This expression, the tip of the iceberg can be used to talk about many other things than the weather. We often use the expression when there is some kind of problem. Do you know this expression? If not, check out this episode.

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Jessie : So we almost always use this to talk about something negative, like a problem but sometimes people use it as positive or neutral. An example of a way we might use tip of the iceberg as a negative is to say something like, the layoffs at the company were just the tip of the iceberg, but soon the entire business went bankrupt.
Harp : So when we look at this example, the layoffs are the tip of the iceberg, they are just the small part of the problem.
Jessie : Right maybe only one or two people lost their jobs.
Harp : Exactly but when the business goes bankrupt, that’s the whole iceberg, the whole problem is that everyone loses their jobs.

Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: Jeffmcneill

]]> http://esl.culips.com/2009/02/expression-the-tip-of-the-iceberg/feed/ 3 ESL Podcast,expression We, in Montreal, hope this snowy weather is not just the tip of the iceberg! This expression, the tip of the iceberg can be used to talk about many other things than the weather. We often use the expression when there is some kind of problem. We, in Montreal, hope this snowy weather is not just the tip of the iceberg! This expression, the tip of the iceberg can be used to talk about many other things than the weather. We often use the expression when there is some kind of problem. Do you know this expression? If not, check out this episode. Jessie : So we almost always use this to talk about something negative, like a problem but sometimes people use it as positive or neutral. An example of a way we might use tip of the iceberg as a negative is to say something like, the layoffs at the company were just the tip of the iceberg, but soon the entire business went bankrupt. Harp : So when we look at this example, the layoffs are the tip of the iceberg, they are just the small part of the problem. Jessie : Right maybe only one or two people lost their jobs. Harp : Exactly but when the business goes bankrupt, that’s the whole iceberg, the whole problem is that everyone loses their jobs. Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: Jeffmcneill Culips ESL Podcast clean Expression: Pig out! http://esl.culips.com/2009/02/pig-out/ http://esl.culips.com/2009/02/pig-out/#comments Sun, 01 Feb 2009 18:09:22 +0000 The Culips Team http://esl.culips.com/?p=510 Everyone likes to pig out sometimes! We usually pig out at parties or on special occasions. But sometimes we don’t need a special excuse to pig out. To pig out is related to food and eating. To understand exactly when and how to use listen to the expression pig out you have to check out this episode. (We suggest eating chips, chocolate bars and cake while listening!) Enjoy!

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Jessie: So if I was talking to my friend and I noticed that they were eating a lot, should I say “hey, you’re really pigging out”?
Maura: No, definitely not! It’s very rude to say it to someone.
Jessie: Really! Well, when could I say it then?
Maura: Well you would just use it to talk about yourself because you can say what you want about yourself. If you are eating a lot of chips or popcorn at a party, you could say “look at me, I’m pigging out!”

Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: This year’s love

]]> http://esl.culips.com/2009/02/pig-out/feed/ 2 ESL Podcast,expression Everyone likes to pig out sometimes! We usually pig out at parties or on special occasions. But sometimes we don’t need a special excuse to pig out. To pig out is related to food and eating. To understand exactly when and how to use listen to the expr... Everyone likes to pig out sometimes! We usually pig out at parties or on special occasions. But sometimes we don’t need a special excuse to pig out. To pig out is related to food and eating. To understand exactly when and how to use listen to the expression pig out you have to check out this episode. (We suggest eating chips, chocolate bars and cake while listening!) Enjoy! Jessie: So if I was talking to my friend and I noticed that they were eating a lot, should I say “hey, you’re really pigging out”? Maura: No, definitely not! It’s very rude to say it to someone. Jessie: Really! Well, when could I say it then? Maura: Well you would just use it to talk about yourself because you can say what you want about yourself. If you are eating a lot of chips or popcorn at a party, you could say “look at me, I’m pigging out!” Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: This year's love Culips ESL Podcast clean Expression: Are you getting Cold Feet? http://esl.culips.com/2009/01/expression-get-cold-feet/ http://esl.culips.com/2009/01/expression-get-cold-feet/#comments Sun, 18 Jan 2009 01:49:07 +0000 The Culips Team http://esl.culips.com/?p=500 Have you ever had cold feet? As an expression this is not actually connected to the temperature of your feet! If you have cold feet it means that you are not sure about a big decision. You are reconsidering that decision and you are not certain if you really want to do it. Don’t have cold feet about this episode – Listen to it!

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Jessie: I think that the expression “to get cold feet” is used a lot when we’re talking about getting married.
Maura: A lot! I’ve heard that used for marriage a lot.
Jessie: Yeah, sometimes someone will say that they’re starting to get cold feet about their wedding.
Maura: Exactly.
Jessie: Yeah! If people start to maybe get worried that they shouldn’t get married or start to change their mind…
Maura: Right!
Jessie: They might say, “Oh, I’m starting to get cold feet about this wedding.”

Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: This year’s love

]]> http://esl.culips.com/2009/01/expression-get-cold-feet/feed/ 2 ESL Podcast,expression Have you ever had cold feet? As an expression this is not actually connected to the temperature of your feet! If you have cold feet it means that you are not sure about a big decision. You are reconsidering that decision and you are not certain if you... Have you ever had cold feet? As an expression this is not actually connected to the temperature of your feet! If you have cold feet it means that you are not sure about a big decision. You are reconsidering that decision and you are not certain if you really want to do it. Don’t have cold feet about this episode – Listen to it! Jessie: I think that the expression “to get cold feet” is used a lot when we’re talking about getting married. Maura: A lot! I’ve heard that used for marriage a lot. Jessie: Yeah, sometimes someone will say that they’re starting to get cold feet about their wedding. Maura: Exactly. Jessie: Yeah! If people start to maybe get worried that they shouldn’t get married or start to change their mind… Maura: Right! Jessie: They might say, “Oh, I’m starting to get cold feet about this wedding.” Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: This year's love Culips ESL Podcast clean Expression: Call it a day http://esl.culips.com/2009/01/expression-call-it-a-day/ http://esl.culips.com/2009/01/expression-call-it-a-day/#comments Fri, 09 Jan 2009 04:57:46 +0000 The Culips Team http://esl.culips.com/?p=492 Here we look at a question about the expressions, Let’s call it a day and Let’s call it a night. These expressions are used often after work has been done or you are feeling tired. Listen to this episode for specific cases of when these expressions are appropriate! You’ll also learn about another similar expression, Let’s call it quits!

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Jessie : Right, so we use this expression to mean that we are going to stop working and hopefully start relaxing.
Maura: Yes relaxing is good. We could use it in any situation where you are working. It doesn’t have to be at your job. For example, maybe you are a student and you have been working on a school project with your friends and you have been working all afternoon. So you could continue working all night too but you decide that that is enough, that is enough studying, that is enough work. You can say “let’s call it a day”
Jessie : So it kind of means the same thing as “let’s stop working now”.
Maura: Exactly.
Jessie : So if it was last night but we had been working all day and into the night, could we still say “let’s call it a day”?

Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: Paul Hocksenar

]]> http://esl.culips.com/2009/01/expression-call-it-a-day/feed/ 0 ESL Podcast,expression Here we look at a question about the expressions, Let’s call it a day and Let’s call it a night. These expressions are used often after work has been done or you are feeling tired. Listen to this episode for specific cases of when these expressions ar... Here we look at a question about the expressions, Let’s call it a day and Let’s call it a night. These expressions are used often after work has been done or you are feeling tired. Listen to this episode for specific cases of when these expressions are appropriate! You’ll also learn about another similar expression, Let’s call it quits! Jessie : Right, so we use this expression to mean that we are going to stop working and hopefully start relaxing. Maura: Yes relaxing is good. We could use it in any situation where you are working. It doesn’t have to be at your job. For example, maybe you are a student and you have been working on a school project with your friends and you have been working all afternoon. So you could continue working all night too but you decide that that is enough, that is enough studying, that is enough work. You can say “let’s call it a day” Jessie : So it kind of means the same thing as “let’s stop working now”. Maura: Exactly. Jessie : So if it was last night but we had been working all day and into the night, could we still say “let’s call it a day”? Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast, Photo: Paul Hocksenar Culips ESL Podcast clean Can you do me a favour? http://esl.culips.com/2008/07/can-you-do-me-a-favour/ http://esl.culips.com/2008/07/can-you-do-me-a-favour/#comments Wed, 09 Jul 2008 15:52:14 +0000 Culips http://esl.culips.com/?p=2629 Can you do me a favour?
Rich has had an accident and needs some help from a friend. In this episode, he calls Chris and asks him for a favour. (In Canada favour is spelled with a u. For other spelling differences, check out our glossary.) Rich and Chris use expressions like on my way and to drop by.

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Chris: Hey, what’s up?
Rick: Hey it’s Rick, how’s it going?
Chris: Ah, pretty good, pretty good, you?
Rick: Oh, not bad, but I’m calling to ask you for a favour.
Chris: OK.
Rick: I don’t want you to go out of your way, but would you mind helping me pick up some groceries?
Chris: Sure, but can I ask why?
Rick: Yeah, it’s just that, well, I broke my leg yesterday.
Chris: What? What happened?
Rick: Well, actually, I was on my way to get some groceries myself. I was in a bit of a rush and slipped on some ice right next to my car.
Chris: That must have been some fall!

Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast

]]> http://esl.culips.com/2008/07/can-you-do-me-a-favour/feed/ 0 expression Can you do me a favour? Rich has had an accident and needs some help from a friend. In this episode, he calls Chris and asks him for a favour. (In Canada favour is spelled with a u. For other spelling differences, check out our glossary. Can you do me a favour? Rich has had an accident and needs some help from a friend. In this episode, he calls Chris and asks him for a favour. (In Canada favour is spelled with a u. For other spelling differences, check out our glossary.) Rich and Chris use expressions like on my way and to drop by. Chris: Hey, what’s up? Rick: Hey it’s Rick, how’s it going? Chris: Ah, pretty good, pretty good, you? Rick: Oh, not bad, but I’m calling to ask you for a favour. Chris: OK. Rick: I don’t want you to go out of your way, but would you mind helping me pick up some groceries? Chris: Sure, but can I ask why? Rick: Yeah, it’s just that, well, I broke my leg yesterday. Chris: What? What happened? Rick: Well, actually, I was on my way to get some groceries myself. I was in a bit of a rush and slipped on some ice right next to my car. Chris: That must have been some fall! Podcast/ Lipservice: Culips ESL Podcast Culips ESL Podcast clean 12:59