NTE Tutor

Nachos are not Mexican-American or a Tex-Mex creation. Nachos were invented in Piedras Negras, Mexico in 1943.

MUSIC

Tortilla chips, which are the foundation of nachos, are made of corn, vegetable oil, salt, and water. Corn tortillas are then cut into wedges and then fried or baked. Tortilla chips were popularized in Los Angeles in the 1940s.

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Hello and welcome to episode 193…of… An Idiom a Day

I’m Gina Johnson and the idiom of the day is… let the chips fall where they may

QUOTE

Language is the laughter of the soul — Paulo Neruda

MUSIC

let the chips fall where they may …means to do something without worrying about the outcome…to be willing to accept the consequences

The lead singer left the band and did not worry about the effects of her actions.

Here is the same sentence using the idiom… let the chips fall where they may

The lead singer left the band and let the chips fall where they may.

Here are a few more sentences using the idiom … let the chips fall where they may

In this housing market, the homeowners decided to sell their condo and let the chips fall where they may.

After the last election, there was nothing the voters could do but let the chips fall where they may.

Let the chips fall where they may. I am quitting my job.

#CONVERSATION STARTER

QUESTION

What is your favorite snack food?

An Idiom a Day is sponsored by Native Tongue English. NTE is an online resource for ESL students, teachers, and tutors who study, live and work abroad. For today’s podcast transcript and idiom notes visit Native Tongue English. That’s www–dot–NAT–IVE–TON–GUE–dash– ENG–LISH– dot– com

MUSIC

If you like the podcast, leave a review or comment. If you love the podcast, tell a friend.

Thank you for listening and the next idiom is… culture shock

Remember…Learn Something New Every Day

IDIOM NOTES

USAGE

informal | used in relaxed situations with family, friends, or people you know

ALTERNATIVES

let the chips fall

Let the chips fall where they may I am quitting my job.

Episode 192 the whole enchilada

18 September 2018 by NTE Tutor Leave a Comment

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Episode 192 the whole enchilada

Transcript & Idiom Notes

Hispanic Heritage Month

PODCAST | An Idiom a Day

Episode 192–Transcript and Idiom Notes

Tuesday, 18 September 2018

the whole enchilada

MUSIC

Millennials are widely considered the “food truck generation”. 47 percent have eaten from a food truck.

MUSIC

Enchiladas originated in Mexico and date back to the Mayans. An enchilada is a corn tortilla rolled around a meat, cheese, bean, potato or vegetable filling and covered with a chili pepper sauce.

MUSIC

Hello and welcome to episode 192…of… An Idiom a Day

I’m Gina Johnson and the idiom of the day …is… the whole enchilada

QUOTE

Life will reward you, but not always by the route you expect. —Edna Rodriguez

MUSIC

the whole enchilada … if something is the whole enchilada, it includes everything connected with it…the entire thing…all of it

How did you get your job? I want to hear the entire story.

Here is the same sentence using the idiom… the whole enchilada

How did you get your job? I want to hear the whole enchilada.

Here are a few more sentences using the idiom … the whole enchilada

In her latest book, the reporter tells the whole enchilada.

For the toddler’s birthday party her parents bought a cake, a clown, a bouncy castle -the whole enchilada.

I thought about building my computer system from scratch, but it’s much cheaper if you buy the whole enchilada from the store.

#CONVERSATION STARTER

QUESTION

What would be the advantages and disadvantages of one language for the whole world?

An Idiom a Day is sponsored by Native Tongue English. NTE is an online resource for ESL students, teachers, and tutors who study, live and work abroad. For today’s podcast transcript and idiom notes visit Native Tongue English. That’s www–dot–NAT–IVE–TON–GUE–dash– ENG–LISH– dot– com

MUSIC

If you like the podcast, leave a review or comment. If you love the podcast, tell a friend.

Thank you for listening and the next idiom is… let the chips fall where they may

Remember…Learn Something New Every Day

IDIOM NOTES

USAGE

informal | used in relaxed situations with family, friends, or people you know

VOCABULARY

enchilada | NOUN

Mexican food that consists of a flat piece of bread called a tortilla that is rolled around a meat, bean, or cheese filling and covered with sauce

This food truck makes the best enchiladas.

Episode 191 Close, but no cigar.

17 September 2018 by NTE Tutor Leave a Comment

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Episode 191 Close, but no cigar.

Transcript & Idiom Notes

Hispanic Heritage Month

PODCAST | An Idiom a Day

Episode 191–Transcript and Idiom Notes

Monday, 17 September 2018

Close, but no cigar.

MUSIC

Cigar tobacco is grown in Brazil, Cameroon, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Indonesia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Philippines, and the United States.

MUSIC

In October 2016, the US government loosened the embargo on cigars. American citizens can now import $800 worth of cigars duty-free for personal consumption or as gifts for family and friends. That’s 100 cigars.

MUSIC

Hello and welcome to episode 191…of… An Idiom a Day

I’m Gina Johnson and the idiom of the day …is… close, but no cigar

QUOTE

“My mother gave me one piece of advice that stuck with me. She said don’t forget where you came from.” — Eva Longoria

MUSIC

close, but no cigar … a phrase used to say that a guess was almost correct…to have fallen short of a successful outcome

The Cavaliers almost won. They lost the championship to the Warriors.

Here is the same sentence using the idiom… close, but no cigar

It was close but no cigar for the Cavaliers. They lost the championship to the Warriors.

Here are a few more sentences using the idiom … close, but no cigar

spoken in a conversation

Teacher: What is the capital of Pennsylvania?
Student: Philadelphia?
Teacher: Close, but no cigar. It’s Harrisburg.

Sales Manager: Did the sales team land the account?
Sales Executive: They were close, but no cigar.

Graduate Student: Did I ace my exam?
Professor: You came close, but no cigar.

#CONVERSATION STARTER

QUESTION

Have you ever been a contestant in a game show?

MUSIC

If you like the podcast, leave a review or comment. If you love the podcast, tell a friend.

Thank you for listening and the next idiom is… the whole enchilada

Remember…Learn Something New Every Day

IDIOM NOTES

USAGE

spoken

informal | used in relaxed situations with family, friends, or people you know

humorous | used to make people laugh

VOCABULARY

cigar| NOUN

a cigar is a thick type of cigarette

Episode 190 the Ivy League

14 September 2018 by NTE Tutor Leave a Comment

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Episode 190 the Ivy League

Transcript & Idiom Notes

Back to School

PODCAST | An Idiom a Day

Episode 190–Transcript and Idiom Notes

Friday, 14 September 2018

the Ivy League

MUSIC

According to the 2017 American Community Survey, 8.7 million school-age children speak Spanish at home.

MUSIC

DID YOU KNOW…

There are 12.1 million children between the ages of 5 and 17 that speak a language other than English at home.

MUSIC

Hello and welcome to episode 190…of… An Idiom a Day

I’m Gina Johnson and the idiom of the day …is…the Ivy League

QUOTE

An investment in education pays the best interest. ~Benjamin Franklin

MUSIC

the Ivy League … is a group of eight colleges in the United States that are well respected

The University of Pennsylvania is a well-respected school in Philadelphia.

Here is the same sentence using the idiom…the Ivy League

The University of Pennsylvania is an Ivy League school in Philadelphia.

Here are a few more sentences using the idiom … the Ivy League

Ivy League colleges and universities can be very expensive.

Some companies require graduates with Ivy League diplomas.

I applied to an Ivy league college when I graduated from high school.

#CONVERSATION STARTER

QUESTION

Did you graduate from college in debt or debt-free?

MUSIC

If you like the podcast, leave a review or comment. If you love the podcast, tell a friend.

National Hispanic Heritage Month …. is the theme for our next set of idioms. National Hispanic Heritage Month begins on 15 September and ends on 15 October.

Thank you for listening and the next idiom is… Close but no cigar.

Remember…Learn Something New Every Day

IDIOM NOTES

ALTERNATIVES

an Ivy League

always use with a noun

It is difficult to gain admission into an Ivy League school.

the Ivy League

We plan to take the Ivy League college tour next fall.

Episode 189 teach somebody a lesson

13 September 2018 by NTE Tutor Leave a Comment

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Episode 189 teach somebody a lesson

Transcript & idiom Notes

Back to School

PODCAST | An Idiom a Day

Episode 189–Transcript and Idiom Notes

Thursday, 13 September 2018

teach somebody a lesson

MUSIC

The US census reported that in 2015, 15% of college and graduate students were 35 years old and older. Adult learners make up 30% of students who attend school part-time.

MUSIC

Non-traditional students, called adult learners in the US and mature learners in the UK, are independent students who attend a college or university part-time.

MUSIC

Hello, and welcome to episode 189 …of… An Idiom a Day

I’m Gina Johnson and the idiom of the day …is… teach somebody a lesson

QUOTE

Experience is a hard teacher because she gives the test first and the lesson afterward.
~Vernon Law

MUSIC

teach somebody a lesson …if you say that you are going to teach someone a lesson, you mean that you are going to punish them for something that they have done so that they don’t do it again

These talkative students need to be punished so that they won’t talk in class again.

Here is the same sentence using the idiom… teach somebody a lesson

These talkative students need to be taught a lesson.

Here are a few more sentences using the idiom … teach somebody a lesson

Next time you are late to class, you will be marked absent. That will teach you a lesson.

They were caught cheating and were expelled from school. That should teach them a lesson.

If she doesn’t answer her phone, teach her a lesson and go to the movies without her.

#CONVERSATION STARTER

QUESTION

Have you ever taken an art lesson?

MUSIC

If you like the podcast, leave a review or comment. If you love the podcast, tell a friend.

Thank you for listening and the next idiom is… the Ivy League

Remember…Learn Something New Every Day

Episode 188 learn something down pat

12 September 2018 by NTE Tutor Leave a Comment

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Episode 188 learn something down pat

Transcript & Idiom Notes

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PODCAST | An Idiom a Day

Episode 188–Transcript and Idiom Notes

Wednesday, 12 September 2018

learn something down pat

MUSIC

Richard Drew invented masking tape for automotive painters in 1923. The tape provided a crisp clean edge that was used to paint two-tone cars that were popular in America.

MUSIC

DID YOU KNOW…

Scotch Tape is one of the best-selling adhesive tapes in the world. Scotch Magic Transparent Tape’s matte finish backing which disappears when applied, is water resistant and you can write on it.

MUSIC

Hello and welcome to episode 188…of… An Idiom a Day

I’m Gina Johnson and the idiom of the day …is… learn something down pat

QUOTE

Too often we give children answers to remember rather than problems to solve.~Roger Lewin

MUSIC

learn something down pat … to memorize…to know something so well that you don’t have to think when you do or say it

Most drama students say their lines perfectly.

Here is the same sentence using the idiom… learn something down pat

Most drama students learn their lines down pat.

Here are a few more sentences using the idiom … learn something down pat

If you learn the math formulas down pat, you won’t struggle during the exam.

I plan to learn these vocabulary words down pat.

Many children learn the alphabet down pat before starting school.

#CONVERSATION STARTER

QUESTION

What was your favorite class in school?

MUSIC

If you like the podcast, leave a review or comment. If you love the podcast, tell a friend.

Thank you for listening and the next idiom is… teach somebody a lesson

Remember…Learn Something New Every Day

IDIOM NOTES

ALTERNATIVES

have down pat

I’ve taught this course for so long, I have it down pat.

know it down pat

I know my speech down pat.

Episode 187 with a capital A, B, C, etc.,

11 September 2018 by NTE Tutor Leave a Comment

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Episode 187 with a capital A, B, C, etc.,

Transcript & Idiom Notes

Back to School

PODCAST | An Idiom a Day

Episode 187 –Transcript and Idiom Notes

Tuesday, 11 September 2018

with a capital A, B, C, etc.,

MUSIC

More than 2 billion pencils are used in the United States every year, and most of them have erasers! However, most pencils sold in Europe do not have erasers!

MUSIC

The most famous pencil in the world is the Dixon Ticonderoga yellow No. 2 pencil. The Dixon Ticonderoga Company, founded in the U.S. in the 19th century, is an office and art supplies maker.

MUSIC

Hello and welcome to episode 187…of… An Idiom a Day

I’m Gina Johnson and the idiom of the day …is… with a capital A

QUOTE

Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today. ~ Malcolm X

MUSIC

with a capital A … is something that emphasizes a particular quality…this idiom uses the first letter of any word

Our project is complete. We have finished. We are done.

Here is the same sentence using the idiom… with a capital C

Our project is complete with a capital C.

Here are a few more sentences using the idiom … with a capital A

You are in trouble with a capital T.

I am hungry with a capital H.

She is not spoiled with a capital S, but she likes to get her way.

#CONVERSATION STARTER

QUESTION

Talk about a time you got in trouble at school?

An Idiom a Day is sponsored by Native Tongue English. NTE is an online resource for ESL students, teachers, and tutors who study, live and work abroad. For today’s podcast transcript and idiom notes visit Native Tongue English. That’s www–dot–NAT–IVE–TON–GUE–dash– ENG–LISH– dot– com

MUSIC

If you like the podcast, leave a review or comment. If you love the podcast, tell a friend.

Thank you for listening and the next idiom is… learn something down pat

Remember…Learn Something New Every Day

IDIOM NOTES

USAGE

used to emphasize something

informal | used in relaxed situations with family, friends, or people you know

Episode 186 the writing is on the wall

10 September 2018 by NTE Tutor Leave a Comment

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Episode 186 the writing is on the wall

Transcript & Idiom Notes

Back to School

PODCAST | An Idiom a Day

Episode 186–Transcript and Idiom Notes

Monday, 10 September 2018

the writing is on the wall

MUSIC

Until the 1770’s rolled up moist bread without the crust was used to erase pencil marks.

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