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English for Intermediate Students

Food Idioms - Intermediate

Grammar and Pronunciation Course - (Lesson 3 of 10)

Listening Challenge

Watch the video lesson. Which idioms do you hear?


Gravy Train

A: So do you like selling insurance?
B: Yeah, it’s fun, but it takes a lot of work.
A: What kind of insurance do you sell?
B: All types - life, health, liability.
A: Which one brings in the most money?
B: Liability insurance by far. That’s the gravy train.
A: I can imagine

Don’t cry over spilt milk

A: Ah, I hate this computer.
B: Why? What happened?
A: It just deleted all my files.
B: Oh, no. Didn’t you back them up?
A: Some but not all. Ugh! I am so mad right now.
B: Well, it’s no good crying over spilt milk. I am sure it won’t take long to replace them.
A: Says you!

In a pickle

A: Hey can you help me out?
B: Sure, what’s up?
A: Well, I’m in a bit of a pickle.
B: How so?
A: Well, I forgot my wallet, so I can’t pay for dinner.
B: Oh, no worries. I can pick up the check.
A: Thanks, I didn’t want to say something in front of the client.
B: No worries. I got you.
A: Thanks

In a nutshell

A: So, what does the new software do?
B: Well, in a nutshell, it tracks our productivity.
A: How does it do that?
B: It measures are keystrokes and mouse movements.
A: That does not seem useful.
B: No, it doesn’t. It also tracks how often we submit files.
A: Oh, wow, that sounds creepy to me.
B: I know. I hate it already.

Cherry on top

A: So, how is your new job?
B: Good, the pay is better and the work is a lot more fun.
A: That’s awesome. How is the work environment?
B: Great! My coworkers are nice, and the office is near my house.
A: That sounds like a dream come true.
B: It is. And the cherry on top is that I can ride my bike to work.
A: Wow, that’s great. I’m glad it worked out so well for you.

Learn Idioms from the Lesson

Gravy train

A situation when a person can make a lot of money with little effort

Don't cry over spilt milk

Don't worry about something that has already happened

In a pickle

To be in a difficult situation

In a nutshell

In few words, in short, without going into detail

Cherry on top

An added bonus to an already good situation or outcome

 

Answer the following questions about the interview.

Check out the lesson for other levels:

Beginner Lesson on Food Idioms

Advanced Lesson on Food Idioms

Course Outline (Previous Lessons)

Lesson 1 - Homophones - words that sound the same

Lesson 2 - Homographs - words with different meanings

Course Outline (Upcoming Lessons)

Lesson 4 - Reductions & Linking

Lesson 5 - Clauses

Lesson 6 - Phrases and Multi-word Expressions

Lesson 7 - Phrasal Verbs

Lesson 8 - Similar Sounds and Words

Lesson 9 - Word Forms

Lesson 10 - Prefixes and Suffixes

Extensive Listening for Intermediate Students

Natural Listening Practice

The best way to learn a language it to hear lots of natural language. Give these listening lessons a try!

1350 In the Club
1448 The Right Age
When should kids get phones?

1350 In the Club
1437 Homesickness
Missing things from home

1350 In the Club
1432 Going to Mars
Reasons to go or not go to space

1350 In the Club
1431 Life in Mars
John talks about the red planet

1350 In the Club
1424 Food We Hate
Surprising foods people dislike!


1406 20 Years Abroad
1423 Comfort Food
Food we love!

1406 20 Years Abroad
1401 The Big Game
Invite to the Super Bowl.

1384 Stay-at-home Moms
1384 Stay-at-home Moms
Going from work to home

1383 Macho Women
1383 Macho Women
Tough gals with tough attitudes

1382 On the Trail
1382 On the Trail
Working with horses on the trail


1381 Rodeo Rider
1381 Rodeo Rider
Being a woman in the rodeo

1236 Hotel for Her
1236 Hotel for Her
Erina's ideal hotel when traveling.

1235 Hotel for Him
1235 Hotel for Him
Mike's ideal hotel when traveling.

1228 Chilean Movie
1230 New Gym
Rebecca gets info about the new gym.

1122 DJ Host
1122 DJ Host
Shifani talks about being a bilingual DJ.


1121 Teen Host
1121 Teen Host
Shifani talks about being a child DJ.

1118 His Dreams
1118 His Dreams
Warren talks about his hopes and dreams.

1117 Her Dreams
1117 Her Dreams
Lindsay talks about what she wanted to be as a child.

1108 Boys Camp
1108 Boys Camp
Warren talks about his summer camp memories.

1107 Girls Camp
1107 Girls Camp
Lindsay talks about her summer camp memories.


1017 Paul Bunyan
1017 Paul Bunyan
Jakes discusses a popular folk hero.

1004 Touchy Feely
1004 Touchy Feely
Cheryl compares touch in Hong Kong, America, and Guam.

1003 Displays of Affection
1003 Displays of Affection
Hugs, kisses and holding hands.

996 Yve's Reflections
997 The Prank
Shirley talks about a prank she did with her brothers.

994 Farm Life
994 Farm Life
Todd and Monica discuss life on the farm.


993 Kiwi Adventure
993 Kiwi Adventure
Monica gives some tips about New Zealand.

992 Long Life
992 Long Life
Monica and Todd discuss the secrets of having a long life.

991 Tai Chi
991 Tai Chi
Monica talks about the popular exercise of Tai Chi.

988 The Break Up
988 The Break Up
Crystal gives advice on how to break up.

987 Class Crush
987 Class Crush
Crystal gives George female advice on women.

Keep Listening

Go back to the level list!

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