Podcast

In the United States, the average school year has 180 days. All public schools and most private schools have a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday school week … Attend Today, Achieve Tomorrow

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Hello and welcome to episode 212 …of… An Idiom a Day

I’m Gina Johnson and the idiom of the day …is… in absentia

QUOTE

Aim for success, not perfection…. remember that fear always lurks behind perfectionism. ~ David Burns

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in absentia …

without being present

the person involved is not present

if something is done in absentia, it is done when you are not present

She was convicted of a crime and tried without being present in the courtroom.

Here is the same sentence using the idiom… in absentia

She was convicted of a crime and tried in absentia.

Here are a few more sentences using the idiom … in absentia

In absentia, the rapper was awarded a Pulitzer in Music.

The movie director fled the country and was convicted in absentia.

Due to the high school senior’s month-long hospital stay in June, he graduated in absentia.

After months of searching the ocean, the sailors were declared dead in absentia.

#CONVERSATION STARTER

QUESTION

Did you achieve perfect attendance in 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 in America and 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… see the error of your ways

Remember…Learn Something New Every Day

IDIOM NOTES

GRAMMAR

USAGE

formal

Ep. 211 the school of hard knocks

9 September 2019 by NTE Tutor Leave a Comment

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Ep. 211 the school of hard knocks

Do you believe that experience is the best teacher?

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An Idiom a Day

Episode 211-Transcript and Idiom Notes

Monday, 9 September 2019

school of hard knocks

MUSIC

HERE’S SOMETHING INTERESTING…

In the second half of the 19th century, many rural areas of the United States and Canada were served by one-room schoolhouses. For those students who lived beyond walking distance, a horse-drawn carriage, called a kid hack, was used to transport children to school.

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DID YOU KNOW…

In April of 1939, Frank W. Cyr, a professor at Teachers College at Columbia University in New York, organized a meeting to establish national school bus construction standards, including the adoption of a standard shade of paint. The color, School Bus Yellow, was selected because black lettering was easier to see in the early morning and late afternoon school bus runs. Today, the official color is called National School Bus Glossy Yellow….the wheels on the bus go round and round

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Hello and welcome to episode 211 …of… An Idiom a Day

I’m Gina Johnson and the idiom of the day …is… the school of hard knocks

QUOTE

The difference between school and life? In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson. ~ Tom Bodett

MUSIC

the school of hard knocks …

a difficult or painful experience that people have in their lives and careers

to learn something as a result of difficult or unpleasant experiences

experience gained from hard work

learning through difficult experiences

learning from your mistakes

Difficult experiences taught me about life.

Here is the same sentence using the idiom… the school of hard knocks

The school of hard knocks taught me about life.

Here are a few more sentences using the idiom … the school of hard knocks

The school of hard knocks will teach you what you did not learn in school.

My uncle did not get an opportunity to go to college. Instead, he graduated from the school of hard knocks.

The successful entrepreneur never got an MBA but came up through the school of hard knocks.

Several business owners developed their skills from the school of hard knocks.

#CONVERSATION STARTER

QUESTION

Do you believe that experience is the best teacher?

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… in absentia

Remember…Learn Something New Every Day

IDIOM NOTES

GRAMMAR

USAGE

informal

ALTERNATIVES

the University of Life

experiences as opposed to a formal education

I received the most painful lessons from the University of Life.

knocks

hard knocks

knocks refer to setbacks

The Senator took a few knocks early in his political career.

Ep. 210 play hooky

6 September 2019 by NTE Tutor Leave a Comment

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03:46

Ep. 210 play hooky

What was your favorite thing to do during recess?

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PODCAST | An Idiom a Day

Episode 210-Transcript and Grammar Notes

Thursday, 6 September 2019

play hooky

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HERE’S SOMETHING INTERESTING…

In 2010, of the fifty states in America, only fifteen had policies that recommended or required daily recess or a physical activity break.

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DID YOU KNOW…

Recess is a common part of the school day for children around the world. Playground favorites include jump rope, Chinese jump rope, hopscotch, basketball, soccer, wall ball, hula hoop, chase, and playing on the playground equipment…..TAG YOU’RE IT

MUSIC

Hello and welcome to episode 210 …of… An Idiom a Day

I’m Gina Johnson and the idiom of the day …is… play hooky

QUOTE

If people did not do silly things, nothing intelligent would ever get done.~ Ludwig Wittgenstein

MUSIC

play hooky …

to not go to school or not keep an appointment

to fail to attend school, work or some other obligation

to be absent without permission

Are you not going to work today?

Here is the same sentence using the idiom… play hooky

Are you playing hooky from work today?

Here are a few more sentences using the idiom … play hooky

I don’t want to go to the conference, let’s play hooky.

A few of us are playing hooky on Friday after lunch. Do you want to join us?

The principal caught some students in the hallway playing hooky from class.

The bride and groom played hooky and skipped their wedding reception.

#CONVERSATION STARTER

QUESTION

What was your favorite thing to do during recess?

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 here and abroad. For today’s podcast transcript and grammar 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… school of hard knocks

Remember…Learn Something New Every Day

GRAMMAR NOTES

USAGE

informal

SPELLING

play hookey not common

hookies, hookeys plural

Ep. 209 do your homework

4 September 2019 by NTE Tutor Leave a Comment

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Ep. 209 do your homework

What could you do to become the best in your profession?

Click for Transcript and Idiom Notes

PODCAST | An Idiom a Day

Episode 209-Transcript and Grammar Notes

Wednesday, 4 September 2019

do your homework

MUSIC

HERE’S SOMETHING INTERESTING…

A bookmark is a thin marker used to keep your place in a book. Bookmarks are commonly made of paper, metals, plastic, or fabric.

MUSIC

DID YOU KNOW…

A dog ear is a folded down corner of a book page that serves as a bookmark. The name comes from the fact that the ears of many dogs flap over. Dog eared pages are commonly found in paperback books. If you want to preserve a book in its original condition, use a bookmark. Also, If you don’t have a stapler or paper clip, you can dog-ear sheets pf paper together…BOW-WOW

MUSIC

Hello and welcome to episode 209 …of… An Idiom a Day

I’m Gina Johnson and the idiom of the day …is… do your homework

QUOTE

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

MUSIC

do your homework …

to find out what you need to know in preparation for something

to study or research a situation carefully so that you know a lot about the situation

to make careful preparations in order to deal with something successfully

She researched the company before the interview.

Here is the same sentence using the idiom… do your homework

She did her homework before the interview.

Here are a few more sentences using the idiom … do your homework

Do your homework before investing in the stock market

If our son had done his homework, his first car wouldn’t have been a piece of junk.

I like you. You’ve done your homework. You’re hired.

I try to do my homework before making any life-changing decisions.

#CONVERSATION STARTER

QUESTION

What could you do to become the best in your profession?

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 around the world. For today’s podcast transcript and grammar 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… play hooky

Remember…Learn Something New Every Day

Ep. 208 test the water

3 September 2019 by NTE Tutor 2 Comments

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04:56

Ep. 208 test the water

Could a woman be an effective president in the United States?

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PODCAST | An Idiom a Day

Episode 208-Transcript and Grammar Notes

Tuesday, 3 September 2019

test the water

We’re Baaaack….. Welcome to the relaunch of …An Idiom a Day Podcast…I took a long break to move from one side of the world to the other. I read each and every one of your reviews and comments. Thank You. I missed you too. Now….let the show begin…Back to School is the theme for this set of idioms.

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TRIVIA

In America, the day after Labor Day is traditionally known as the first day of school.

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DID YOU KNOW…

During the 1940s and ’50s, it was common to start school just after Labor Day, when temperatures started going down. At that time many schools did not have air conditioning. Today, cash-strapped school districts are moving towards a September start date in order to save money. In 2011, Tulsa, Oklahoma’s public schools moved their start date from August 19 to the day after Labor Day. The school district saved approximately half a million dollars through reduced utility costs.

MUSIC

Hello and welcome to episode 208 …of… An Idiom a Day

I’m Gina Johnson and the idiom of the day …is… test the water

QUOTE

He who opens a school door; closes a prison ~ Victor Hugo

MUSIC

test the water …

to find out whether something is likely to be successful before you try it

to try to find out what reaction an action will get before you do it or how people will react to your idea before you try it

an attempt to get the reaction of a potential audience

think of it as feeling the temperature of the water before getting in

Is your idea cold or is it hot, cold meaning not much interest, hot means a lot of interest

The senator wants to find out if she will be successful before she decides to run for president.

Here is the same sentence using the idiom… test the water

The senator wants to test the water before she decides to run for president.

Here are a few more sentences using the idiom … test the water

The marketing team is testing the water, before launching the company’s new soft drink.

Did you test the water before making a decision?

Let me go home and test the waters. If my family agrees then we will upgrade our phone plan next month.

I think it is a good idea to test the waters before making a commitment.

#CONVERSATION STARTER

QUESTION

Could a woman be an effective president in the United States?

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… do your homework

Remember…Learn Something New Every Day

GRAMMAR NOTES

ALTERNATIVES

test the waters