June

PODCAST | An Idiom a Day

Episode 140-Transcript & Idiom Notes

Wednesday, 27 June 2018

the light of someone’s life

MUSIC

HERE’S SOMETHING INTERESTING…

In 2017 there were an estimated 267,000 stay-at-home dads in America.

MUSIC

DID YOU KNOW…

In China, Father’s Day is celebrated on the third Sunday in June, but it used to be celebrated on the 8th of August. The reason is a linguistic one; the Chinese word for eight is ba, the common word for father is ba-ba – therefore the eighth day of the eighth month sounds similar to papa.

MUSIC

Hello and welcome to episode 140…of… An Idiom a Day

I’m Gina Johnson and the idiom of the day …is… the light of someone’s life

QUOTE

A truly rich man is one whose children run into his arms even when his hands are empty.

MUSIC

the light of someone’s life…means a much-loved person…someone who makes you happy

Our 30-year friendship makes me happy.

Here is the same sentence using the idiom… the light of someone’s life

Our 30-year friendship is the light of my life.

Here are a few more sentences using the idiom … the light of someone’s life

His four daughters were the light of my father’s life.

Family is the light of her life.

My husband, the light of my life, thank you for 28 wonderful years.

CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION?

What is the happiest memory of your father?

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. To read 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… bring someone down a peg

Remember…Learn Something New Every Day

©Copyright, Native Tongue English, 2015-2018. All rights reserved.

PODCAST | An Idiom a Day

Episode 139-Transcript & Idiom Notes

Tuesday, 26 June 2018

a bad workman blames his tools

MUSIC

HERE’S SOMETHING INTERESTING…

Father’s Day was first recognized in America by Mrs. Sonora Smart Dodd to honor her father, who raised six children as a single parent.

MUSIC

DID YOU KNOW…

In Brazil, Father’s Day is celebrated three months after Mother’s Day, on the second Sunday in August. Dia dos Pais honors Saint Joachim, the patron saint of fathers.

MUSIC

Hello and welcome to episode 139…of… An Idiom a Day

I’m Gina Johnson and the idiom of the day …is… a bad workman blames his tools

QUOTE

A good father is unsung, unpraised, unnoticed, and yet one of the most valuable assets in our society. ~ Billy Graham

MUSIC

a bad workman blames his tools … something that you say when someone blames the objects they are using for their own mistake or failure…when someone does a poor job and blames the equipment rather than take responsibility for their failure

A. This knife is dull.

B. You are blaming the knife for your failure.

Here is the same sentence using the idiom… a bad workman blames his tools

A. This knife is dull.

B. A bad workman blames his tools.

Here are a few more sentences using the idiom … a bad workman blames his tools

My father told me a bad workman blames his tools when he heard me calling my sewing machine stupid. I was having problems sewing a straight line.

used in a conversation

A. My camera takes blurry pictures.

B. You know what they say a bad workman blames his tools.

A. I burnt the cake because the oven gets too hot

B.Chef, a bad workman blames her tools.

 CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION?

What inventions make your life easier?

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. To read 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… the light of someone’s life

Remember…Learn Something New Every Day

©Copyright, Native Tongue English, 2015-2018. All rights reserved.

PODCAST | An Idiom a Day

Episode 138-Transcript & Idiom Notes

Monday, 25 June 2018

someone’s bark is worse than their bite

MUSIC

HERE’S SOMETHING INTERESTING…

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, neckties are the number one gift for Father’s Day.

MUSIC

DID YOU KNOW…

In Australia, Father’s Day is celebrated on the first Sunday in September, which is also the first Sunday of Spring in Australia.

MUSIC

Hello and welcome to episode 138…of… An Idiom a Day

I’m Gina Johnson and the idiom of the day …is… someone’s bark is worse than their bite

QUOTE

My father didn’t tell me how to live. He lived and let me watch him do it. ~ Clarence Budington Kelland

MUSIC

someone’s bark is worse than their bite… if you say that someone’s bark is worse than their bite, you mean that they seem much more unpleasant or difficult than they really are…they appear to be angry or dangerous, but they aren’t angry or dangerous

Don’t be afraid of your uncle. He may seem difficult, but he isn’t.

Here is the same sentence using the idiom… someone’s bark is worse than their bite

Don’t be afraid of your uncle. His bark is worse than his bite.

Here are a few more sentences using the idiom … someone’s bark is worse than their bite

All my friends knew that my father’s bark was worse than his bite.

Don’t worry our bosses bark is worse than his bite.

Our neighbor has a huge dog, but his bark is worse than his bite.

CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION?

What did you father often say?

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. To read 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… a bad workman blames his tools

Remember…Learn Something New Every Day

©Copyright, Native Tongue English, 2015-2018. All rights reserved.

Molti Soldi

PODCAST | An Idiom a Day

Episode 137-Transcript & Idiom Notes

Sunday, 24 June 2018

I’m not made of money

MUSIC

HERE’S SOMETHING INTERESTING…

The official flower for Father’s Day is a rose. Wearing a red rose represents a living father. Wearing a white rose means your father has passed away.

MUSIC

DID YOU KNOW…

In Italy, according to the Roman Catholic tradition, Father’s Day is celebrated on March 19 Saint Joseph’s Day. The Feast of Saint Joseph was a public holiday until 1977.

MUSIC

Hello and welcome to episode 137…of… An Idiom a Day

I’m Gina Johnson and the idiom of the day …is… I’m not made of money

QUOTE

A father is someone who has pictures of his children where his money used to be.

MUSIC

I’m not made of money … something that you say to tell someone that you do not have a lot of money…you cannot afford to buy something

You have a choice either dinner or a movie. Your request for both is unreasonable. I can only afford one.

Here is the same sentence using the idiom… I’m not made of money

You have a choice either dinner or a movie. I’m not made of money!

Here are a few more sentences using the idiom … I’m not made of money

I’m not made of money! I am not buying you those expensive sneakers. Your feet are still growing.

I will not loan you a few dollars until next week. I am not made of money!

I asked my uncle could I borrow $50. He told me he wasn’t made of money.

CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION?

Have you ever had an incident as a child or with a child in a supermarket or store?

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. To read 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… someone’s bark is worse than their bite

Remember…Learn Something New Every Day

IDIOM NOTES

USAGE

spoken

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

ALTERNATIVE

made of money

to be very rich

Ask your grandfather for the loan. He is made of money

©Copyright, Native Tongue English, 2015-2018. All rights reserved.

Baba

PODCAST | An Idiom a Day

Episode 136-Transcript & Idiom Notes

Thursday, 21 June 2018

a mouth to feed

MUSIC

HERE’S SOMETHING INTERESTING…

The United Arab Emirates celebrates Father’s Day on June 21. Father’s Day in the UAE coincides with midsummer, which this year is June 24.

MUSIC

DID YOU KNOW…

Father’s Day is not a modern invention.  Around 4000 years ago, in Babylon a son named Elmesu, carved a Father’s Day card out of clay. His special card wished his father good health and long life.

MUSIC

Hello and welcome to episode 136…of… An Idiom a Day

I’m Gina Johnson and the idiom of the day …is… a mouth to feed

QUOTE

A father is someone you look up too, no matter how tall you grow.

MUSIC

a mouth to feed … someone, usually a child, you have responsibility for and provide food

No pets. I can’t afford to provide food for another living thing.

Here is the same sentence using the idiom… a mouth to feed

No pets. I can’t afford another mouth to feed.

Here are a few more sentences using the idiom … a mouth to feed

My grandparents had six mouths to feed.

To some parents, a new baby is just another hungry mouth to feed.

After losing his job, the last thing the family needed was another mouth to feed.

feed is used as a verb in the idiom …a mouth to feed

feed means to give food to someone or something

Do not feed the animals at the zoo.

CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION?

How many children do you have or would like to have?

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. To read 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… I’m not made of money

Remember…Learn Something New Every Day

IDIOM NOTES

VOCABULARY

feed | VERB

to give food to someone or something

Did you remember to feed the cat?

©Copyright, Native Tongue English, 2015-2018. All rights reserved.

G.O.A.T = The Greatest of All Time

PODCAST | An Idiom a Day

Episode 135-Transcript & Idiom Notes

Wednesday, 20 June 2018

to have someone in your corner

MUSIC

HERE’S SOMETHING INTERESTING…

According to Hallmark, Father’s Day is the fourth-largest card-sending occasion with 72 million cards given every year.

MUSIC

DID YOU KNOW…

Sons and daughters purchase 50 percent of the Father’s Day cards for their dads. Wives buy nearly 20 percent of Father’s Day cards for their husbands, and the remaining 30 percent of cards purchased go to grandfathers, sons, brothers, uncles and someone special.

MUSIC

Hello and welcome to episode 135…of… An Idiom a Day

I’m Gina Johnson and the idiom of the day …is… to have someone in your corner

QUOTE

My father gave me the greatest gift anyone could give another person, he believed in me. ~Jim Valvano

MUSIC

to have someone in your corner … is to have the support or help of someone… to have someone support your goal

My father has always supported my goals.

Here is the same sentence using the idiom… to have someone in your corner

My father has always been in my corner.

Here are a few more sentences using the idiom … to have someone in your corner

During the trial, her entire family was in her corner.

I can always depend on you. Thank you for being in my corner.

Management was not in our corner during the meeting.

corner is used as a noun in the idiom…to have someone in your corner

a corner is one of four parts of a boxing ring where the sides meet

In this corner in the red is the champion, Muhammed Ali.

CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION?

What do you know about your father’s childhood?

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. To read 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… a mouth to feed

Remember…Learn Something New Every Day

IDIOM NOTES

VOCABULARY

corner |NOUN

one of four parts of a boxing ring where the sides meet

The boxer came of his corner swinging.

©Copyright, Native Tongue English, 2015-2018. All rights reserved.

DUB NATION

PODCAST | An Idiom a Day

Episode 134 Transcript & Idiom Notes

Tuesday, 19 June 2018

a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do

MUSIC

HERE’S SOMETHING INTERESTING…

The U.S. Open golf tournament, as well as the NBA Finals, are scheduled to finish on Father’s Day. 28-year-old Brooks Koepka won this year’s U.S. Open, and The Golden State Warriors won their sixth NBA championship. -GO DUBS

MUSIC

DID YOU KNOW…

Father’s Day is a celebration honoring fathers, fatherhood, paternal bonds and the influence of fathers in society. Father’s Day is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, most commonly in March, April, and June.

MUSIC

Hello and welcome to episode 134…of… An Idiom a Day

I’m Gina Johnson and the idiom of the day …is… a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do

QUOTE

Every great man is unique ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

MUSIC

a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do …is something said to a man or by a man that means he is going to do something that may be unpleasant…he will do whatever he has to do, even if it is difficult or dangerous…

He hates killing spiders. He has to do something that is unpleasant.

Here is the same sentence using the idiom… a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do

He hates killing spiders. A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do.

Here are a few more sentences using the idiom … a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do

My father believed that a man’s got to do what a man’s got to when it comes to family.

To earn extra income, he took a part-time job on the weekends to provide for his family. A man’s got to do what a man’s got to do.

sometimes this idiom is used as a joke…a man can pretend that something is difficult

A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do. My husband’s response when his company gave him Super Bowl tickets.

Gotta -G-O-T-T-A is slang for have got to

CAN I ASK YOU A QUESTION?

Could you kill something for 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. To read 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… to have someone in your corner

Remember…Learn Something New Every Day

IDIOM NOTES

HISTORY

The idiom a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do is similar to a line in John Steinbeck’s book Grapes of Wrath.

ALTERNATIVES

You got to do what you got to do.

to feel obligated to do whatever it takes

In life, you got to do what you got to do.

VOCABULARY

gotta | VERB

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

have got to

I have got to go to work.

I gotta go to work

have got a

I have got a headache.

I gotta a headache.

©Copyright, Native Tongue English, 2015-2018. All rights reserved.