Everybody ESL

Episode 135 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you the useful English expression “mixed bag.” What does it mean, and how can you make it part of your English? Find out here. And send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 134 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you the interesting English expression “can of worms.” What does it mean, and how do you use it? Find out here. And send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 133 of the Everybody ESL podcast has good animal sound vocabulary, a lesson about accepting help, Part 1 in our series about passive verbs, the Joke of the Week, a listening quiz, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record an introduction for future episodes), send an email to [email protected]! Episode 133 rundown: Vocabulary (words for animal sounds): 1:20, Grammar (Part 1 in the series about passive verbs): 7:40, Small talk (accepting help): 13:45, The Joke of the Week: 15:55, Listening quiz: 17:20

Episode 132 of the Everybody ESL teaches you the interesting English expression “any way you slice it.” What does it mean, and how do you use it? Find out here. And send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 131 of the Everybody ESL podcast reveals another Secret of Native Speakers. This one’s about an interesting way to use the word “squat.” Find other Secrets of Native Speakers in episodes 66, 69, 81, 102, and 117. And send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 130 of the Everybody ESL podcast has good vocabulary about walking, a lesson about asking if someone is busy, a discussion about the word “only,” the Joke of the Week, a listening quiz, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record an introduction for future episodes), send an email to [email protected]! Episode 130 rundown: Vocabulary (words about walking): 1:20, Grammar (an interesting way to use “only”): 6:00, Small talk (asking if someone is busy): 11:05, The Joke of the Week: 14:05, Listening quiz: 16:20

Episode 129 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you the useful expression “to take the cake.” What does it mean? (And why?) Find out here. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 128 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you the useful expression “at the drop of a hat.” Find out what it means (and why) and how to use it. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

The computer is fixed, so we’re finally back with a new episode! Episode 127 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you the useful expression “to draw a blank.” Find out what it means and how to use it. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 126 of the Everybody ESL podcast has good vocabulary about vacations, Part 4 of our series about gerunds, a discussion about common airport questions, the Joke of the Week, a listening quiz, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record an introduction for future episodes), send an email to [email protected]! Episode 126 rundown: Vocabulary (words about vacations): 1:25, Grammar (gerunds, Part 4): 7:50, Small talk (airport questions): 13:40, The Joke of the Week: 16:00, Listening quiz: 18:30

Episode 125 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you the useful expression “free rein.” Find out what it means—and why many native English speakers spell this expression incorrectly. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 124 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you the useful expression “to get the drift” (you can also say “to catch the drift”). Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 123 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you a different way to use the word afraid. Did you know that afraid doesn’t always mean “feeling fear”? Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 122 of the Everybody ESL podcast has good vocabulary about feet, Part 3 of our series about gerunds, a discussion about buses, the Joke of the Week, a listening quiz, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record an introduction for future episodes), send an email to [email protected]! Episode 122 rundown: Vocabulary (words about feet): 1:20, Grammar (gerunds, Part 3): 5:00, Small talk (asking about your bus): 10:20, The Joke of the Week: 13:45, Listening quiz: 15:50

Episode 121 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you an interesting word: jinx. What does it mean, and how do you use it? Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 120 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you an interesting word: dibs. What does it mean, and how do you use it? Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 119 of the Everybody ESL podcast has good vocabulary about hands, Part 2 of our series about gerunds, a discussion about asking someone if they need help, the Joke of the Week, a listening quiz, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record an introduction for future episodes), send an email to [email protected]! Episode 119 rundown: Vocabulary (words about hands): 1:30, Grammar (gerunds, Part 2): 6:00, Small talk (asking someone if they need help): 12:10, The Joke of the Week: 14:30, Listening quiz: 15:50

Episode 118 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you an interesting expression: the lion’s share. What does it mean, and why? Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 117 of the Everybody ESL podcast reveals another Secret of Native Speakers. This one’s about a common way to communicate without giving any information. (That sounds mysterious!) Find other Secrets of Native Speakers in episodes 66, 69, 81, and 102. And send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 116 of the Everybody ESL podcast has good vocabulary about being tired or sleepy, Part 1 of our series about gerunds, a discussion about politely refusing someone’s offer to help, the Joke of the Week, a listening quiz, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record an introduction for future episodes), send an email to [email protected]! Episode 116 rundown: Vocabulary (words for being sleepy or tired): 1:20, Grammar (gerunds, Part 1): 6:30, Small talk (refusing someone’s offer to help): 11:10, The Joke of the Week: 14:00, Listening quiz: 15:30

Episode 115 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you an interesting expression: bad apple. What does it mean to call someone a “bad apple,” and why? Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 114 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you an interesting phrase: to butter someone up. What does it mean, and how do you use it? Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 113 of the Everybody ESL podcast has good vocabulary about being bored, a simple lesson about using place names, a list of common greetings, the Joke of the Week, a listening quiz, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record an introduction for future episodes), send an email to [email protected]! Episode 113 rundown: Vocabulary (words about boredom): 1:25, Grammar (place names and “the”): 6:40, Small talk (greetings): 10:55, The Joke of the Week: 14:40, Listening quiz: 16:45

Episode 112 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you another common and useful expression: to end up. What does it mean, and how do you use it? Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 111 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you a common and useful phrase: all of a sudden. What does it mean, and how do you use it? Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 110 of the Everybody ESL podcast has good vocabulary to describe busy people, a simple lesson about inverted sentences, simple ways to get someone’s attention, the Joke of the Week, a listening quiz, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record an introduction for future episodes), send an email to [email protected]! Episode 110 rundown: Vocabulary (words to describe busy people): 1:25, Grammar (using inverted sentences with certain adverbs): 6:50, Small talk (getting people’s attention): 13:00, The Joke of the Week: 16:15, Listening quiz: 18:20

Episode 109 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you an unusual but useful idiom: Knock yourself out! What does it mean, and how do you use it? Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 108 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you a good idiom: out of the woods. What does it mean, and how do you use it? Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 107 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you a mysterious idiom: keep your nose clean. What does it mean, and how do you use it? Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 106 of the Everybody ESL podcast has vocabulary about hard-to-describe sounds, Part 4 of our series about count and noncount nouns, a lesson about talking with strangers who come to your door, the Joke of the Week, a listening quiz, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record an introduction for future episodes), send an email to [email protected]! Episode 106 rundown: Vocabulary (words for hard-to-describe sounds): 1:20, Grammar (count nouns and noncount nouns, Part 4): 7:00, Small talk (when people come to your door): 12:40, The Joke of the Week: 14:50, Listening quiz: 16:30

Episode 105 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you another interesting word: iffy. What does it mean, and how do you use it? Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 104 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you another interesting expression: creature of habit. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 103 of the Everybody ESL podcast has vocabulary about small things, Part 3 of our series about count and noncount nouns, a lesson about needing more time at the grocery store check-out, the Joke of the Week, a listening quiz, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record an introduction for future episodes), send an email to [email protected]! Episode 103 rundown: Vocabulary (words for small things): 1:20, Grammar (count nouns and noncount nouns, Part 3): 6:30, Small talk (checking out at the grocery store): 12:30, The Joke of the Week: 15:05, Listening quiz: 17:45

Episode 102 of the Everybody ESL podcast reveals another... Secret of Native Speakers. This one’s about a surprising way to use the suffix -ish that your textbooks probably never taught you. (Find other Secrets of Native Speakers in episodes 66, 69, and 81.) Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 101 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you an interesting expression: “Welcome to the club.” What does it mean, and when can you use it? Find out here. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 100 of the Everybody ESL podcast has vocabulary about big things, Part 2 of our series about count and noncount nouns, a discussion about asking someone to watch your stuff, the Joke of the Week, a listening quiz, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record an introduction for future episodes), send an email to [email protected]! Episode 100 rundown: Vocabulary (words for big things): 3:00, Grammar (count nouns and noncount nouns, Part 2): 6:40, Small talk (asking someone to watch your stuff): 13:20, The Joke of the Week: 15:50, Listening quiz: 18:00

Episode 99 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you an interesting expression: “second wind.” What does it mean, and why? Find out here. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 98 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you an interesting and unexpected use of the common word “fly.” Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 97 of the Everybody ESL podcast has vocabulary about different ways of talking, Part 1 of our series about count and noncount nouns, a discussion about what to say if someone asks you for help, the Joke of the Week, a listening quiz, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record an introduction for future episodes), send an email to [email protected]! (I’m sorry this episode is so noisy. Airplanes were flying over my house every few minutes. You might be able to hear them in the background!) Episode 97 rundown: Vocabulary (different ways of talking): 1:20, Grammar (count nouns and noncount nouns, Part 1): 6:10, Small talk (when someone asks you for help): 11:30, The Joke of the Week: 13:30, Listening quiz: 15:40

Episode 96 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you the useful expression “in a nutshell.” You will learn what this phrase means—and why—and how to include it in your conversations. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 95 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you the useful expression “Cross your t’s and dot your i’s.” You will learn what this phrase means and how to include it in your conversations. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 94 of the Everybody ESL podcast has vocabulary about teeth and dentists, a quick lesson about the “let” construction, a discussion about polite ways to ask for help, the Joke of the Week, a listening quiz, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record the introduction for a future episode), send an email to [email protected]! Episode 94 rundown: Vocabulary (dentists and teeth): 1:20, Grammar (the “let” construction): 6:10, Small talk (asking for help): 9:30, The Joke of the Week: 13:00, Listening quiz: 14:10

Episode 93 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you the useful expression “Play it by ear.” You will learn what this phrase means and how to include it in your conversations. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 92 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you the informal expression “You’re telling me.” You will learn what this phrase means and how to use it. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 91 of the Everybody ESL podcast has vocabulary about school, a grammar lesson about “that” and some places where we often omit it, a discussion about using a drive-through, the Joke of the Week, a homework assignment, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record the introduction for a future episode), send an email to [email protected]!

Episode 90 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you the informal expression “What gives?” You will learn what this phrase means and how to use it. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 89 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you the expression “a dime a dozen.” You will learn what this phrase means and how to use it. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 88 of the Everybody ESL podcast has vocabulary for referring to people when you don’t know their names, a grammar lesson about the “had better” construction, a discussion about a very common small talk topic, the Joke of the Week, a listening quiz, and more. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions (or if you’d like to record the introduction for a future episode), send an email to [email protected]! Episode 88 rundown: Intro: 0:00, Vocabulary (words for when you don’t know someone’s name): 1:30, Grammar (the “had better” construction): 7:15, Small talk (“What do you do?”): 11:10, The Joke of the Week: 15:30, Listening quiz: 18:25

Episode 87 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you the expression “May-December romance.” You will learn what this phrase means... and why. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)

Episode 86 of the Everybody ESL podcast teaches you the expression “squared away.” You will learn how to use this phrase to describe yourself or your situation. Send your questions about English and your suggestions for future episodes to [email protected]! (And let me know if you’d like to record the introduction to a future episode.)