Meet the idioms in context
Read once for the general meaning. Then read again and notice the highlighted expressions.
Speed
0:00 / 0:00
Choose 0.50× or 0.75× for slow listening. The pitch stays natural. Voices generated with Aura-2.
Maya Tom says he’ll arrive early this time.
Leo Yeah, right. He was forty minutes late yesterday.
Maya Tell me about it. I waited outside in the rain.
Leo And the bus is cancelled today — just my luck.
Maya The transport app says everything is running perfectly. Big surprise.
Leo At least our sense of humour still works.
Open your toolbox
Meaning, tone, natural grammar and a memory hook for every expression.
AD · RECTANGLE 300×250
Practise for retrieval
Choose, type and correct. Feedback appears immediately — no answer key hunting.
1 · Match the meaning
used to show that you do not believe something
used to say that you strongly understand a complaint
used when something unlucky happens in a typical way
used ironically when something was completely expected
2 · Complete the sentence
3 · Choose and notice
Which expression means “used ironically when something was completely expected”?
Which expression means “used when something unlucky happens in a typical way”?
4 · Over to you
Write a short situation about irony using two expressions from this lesson.
Your score: 0 / 9 · Keep going — retrieval makes the language yours.
Take the lesson with you
Lesson audio is always open. PDF workbooks belong to your free account so your study history and review plan can stay together.
PDF workbook · free account
Lesson, practice and answer key
Review away from the screen and keep the workbook connected to your course progress.
Account access is not active in this pilot yet.
Open audio · no login
Dialogue and example sentences
Listen online or download the MP3 for pronunciation, rhythm and recall.
Download MP3Always open. No email or account will be required when this recording is ready.