Vocabulary practice · Episode 118

Review the useful expressions from the episode

Study the episode’s central expressions with English definitions, nuance and examples, plus reviewed support-language versions where available.

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A short study session

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  1. Choose one expression. Read its definition, nuance and examples.
  2. Make it yours. Write one true sentence from your own life.
  3. Return to the episode. Listen for the expression in its original context.

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Vocabulary from the episode

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Expression 1

a piece of cake

Something that is very easy to do.

Nuance: An informal idiom normally used after be: the task was a piece of cake. It refers to ease, not to actual food.

The online form looked complicated, but it was a piece of cake.

Once you know the steps, this recipe is a piece of cake.

Expression 2

bite off more than you can chew

To accept more work or responsibility than you can manage.

Nuance: A conversational metaphor. The irregular past form is bit off more than you could chew, never bited off.

I bit off more than I could chew when I agreed to organise two events in one week.

Be careful not to bite off more than you can chew at work.

Expression 3

spill the beans

To reveal a secret, often earlier than intended.

Nuance: A playful, informal idiom. Say spill the beans or spill the beans about something; avoid changing beans to a possessive form.

Who spilled the beans about the surprise party?

Do not spill the beans before Friday.

Expression 4

in a nutshell

In very few words; as a short summary.

Nuance: Often placed at the beginning of a summary or used in requests such as explain it in a nutshell. It is neutral and common in conversation and work contexts.

In a nutshell, we need more time.

Can you explain the plan in a nutshell?

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