elllo
English for Advanced Students

Food Idioms - Advanced

Grammar and Pronunciation Course - (Lesson 3 of 10)

Listening Challenge

Watch the video lesson. Which idioms do you hear?



Too many cooks spoil the broth

A: How is the new marketing campaign coming along?
B: Not good. We have all these ideas but no one agrees on anything.
A: Sounds like you have too many people adding input.
B: Definitely! As they say, too many cooks spoil the broth.
A: Indeed.

Spill the beans

A: Hey, so I hear you are transferring to New York.
B: What? What are you are talking about?
A: The boss told me he was transferring you.
B: No one told me that.
A: Oh no! Did I just spill the beans?
B: Ah, yeah. It appears you may have.
A: Well, you better talk to the boss … but you didn’t hear it from me.
B: Don’t worry. I’ll cover you.

Hand in the cookie jar

A: Did you hear what happened to Jack?
B: No, what?
A: He was fired yesterday.
B: Really, why?
A: He got caught with his hand in the cookie jar.
B: Really, how?
A: He was using his travel budget for personal expenses.
B: Oh, no! He seemed like such an honest guy.
A: Well, looks can be deceiving I guess.

Get egg on your face

A: How was your presentation?
B: Not good. I made a total fool of myself.
A: Oh, I am sure it was not that bad.
B: No, it was terrible. During the presentation I used the wrong slide deck.
A: Oh,, no!
B: It was the slide deck for another client - their main competitor.
A: How embarrassing!
B: Yeah, I totally got egg of my face.

Take with a grain of salt

A: So, how are the survey results looking?
B: Pretty good. 80% of those polled said they like our new product.
A: Well, I would take those results with a grain of salt.
B: Why do you say that?
A: Because only loyal customers took the survey.
B: Oh, I see. Still, it’s a good start.
A: True, just a little misleading.

Learn Idioms from the Lesson

Too many cooks spoil the broth

Broth is the liquid flavor of soup. This phrase means that when too many people contribute to something, it decreases in quality.

Spill the beans

To accidentally reveal something that was secret.

Get caught with your hand in the cookie jar

To get caught doing something wrong, usually stealing. It refers to kids getting caught trying to get cookies.

Get egg on your face

Do something that is embarrassing or shameful in public. It refers to people throwing eggs in disgust at officials or performers.

Take with a grain of salt

To believe something is only partially true.

 

Answer the following questions about the interview.

Check out the lesson for other levels:

Beginner Lesson on Food Idioms

Intermediate 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!

1397 Introverts and Extroverts
1397 Introverts and Extroverts
Are you outgoing?

1320 Being Different
1372 His Dream House
Curtis talks about his dream house.

1319 Memories of Canada
1371 Her Dream House
Spencer talks about her dream house.

1325 Slow Travel
1325 Slow Travel
Travelling vs staying in one place.

1324 Where to Work in Asia
1324 Where to Work in Asia
Places to work in Asia.

1323 Business in Bali
1323 Business in Bali
Doing business from Bali.

1312 Change Climate Change
1312 Skin Sea and Sun
Paul and Amy discuss sunshine and warm and cold climates.

1311 Climate Change
1311 Choosing a Climate
Aimee and Paul discuss the best place to live.

1302 Change Climate Change
1302 Change of Climate
The affects on the climate.
1301 Climate Change
1301 Climate Change
Recents events with weather.
1300 Shopping for Clothes
1300 Shopping for Clothes
Curtis and Spencer talk about the clothes.

1299 Fashion Sense
1299 Fashion Sense
Curtis talks with Spencer about her sense of style.

1260 Nice Cafe
1260 Nice Cafe
What makes a nice cafe?

1259 Good Company
1259 Good Company
Curtis and Spencer talk about what companies.
1222 Shipwrecks
1222 Shipwrecks
Peter talks with Jana about shipwrecks.
1221 Treasure Hunt
1221 Treasure Hunt
Hunting for treasure in the sea.

1141 Korean Wedding
1172 Road Regulations
Nathan talks about road regulations for drivers.

1141 Korean Wedding
1171 Road Rage
Nathan talks about dealing with anger on the road.

1141 Korean Wedding
1170 Cambodia Road Trip Pt 4
Julia talks about biking across Cambodia.
1141 Korean Wedding
1169 Cambodia Road Trip Pt 3
Julia talks about biking across Cambodia.
1141 Korean Wedding
1168 Cambodia Road Trip Pt 2
Julia talks about biking across Cambodia.

1141 Korean Wedding
1167 Cambodia Road Trip Pt 1
Julia talks about biking across Cambodia.

#1094 Welfare
1094 Welfare
Todd talks about welfare in the U.S.

#1093 The Dole
1093 The Dole
Rachel talks with Todd about 'the dole' in the U.K.
1054 Pest Protection
1054 Pest Protection
Shirley talks about being a custom official.
1053 Banned by Customs
1053 Banned by Customs
Shirley talks about working with Customs.

986 Touchy Topics
986 Touchy Topics
Greg asks Todd why elllo has so few controversial topics.

985 Organ Donation
985 Organ Donation
Greg discuss the dilemma yet vital topic of organ donation.

984 Salary Caps
984 Salary Caps
Greg and Todd debate limits to salaries.
983 Minimum Wage
983 Minimum Wage
Greg and Todd debate minimum wages.

Keep Listening

Go back to the level list!

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