Vocabulary practice · Episode 121

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.

B1–B2Everyday EnglishAbout 12 min + dynamic ads5 PDF versions 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

to put something off

To delay doing something, especially because it feels difficult or unpleasant.

Nuance: A separable phrasal verb: put the call off or put it off. It often suggests avoidable delay.

I kept putting the difficult phone call off.

Do not put the application off until the final day.

Expression 2

to get something done

To complete a task successfully.

Nuance: The focus is on achieving the result, not simply spending time or appearing busy.

I was busy, but I did not get the important thing done.

Let us get the report done before lunch.

Expression 3

to tick something off

To mark an item on a list as completed.

Nuance: Common in British English; American English often uses check something off.

I ticked off three small tasks before breakfast.

Tick each step off as you finish it.

Expression 4

a weight off your shoulders

A great feeling of relief after a worry or responsibility disappears.

Nuance: A figurative expression; it describes emotional pressure as a physical weight being removed.

Making that difficult call was a weight off my shoulders.

Submitting the final assignment felt like a weight off her shoulders.

Expression 5

decision fatigue

Mental tiredness caused by making too many decisions.

Nuance: A useful productivity and psychology term; even small choices can become harder after many earlier decisions.

By late afternoon, decision fatigue makes every choice feel difficult.

Planning the night before can reduce decision fatigue.

Expression 6

to put something down on paper

To write an idea or plan so that it becomes clear and concrete.

Nuance: The paper may be literal or figurative; the expression emphasises moving from a vague thought to written form.

Put tomorrow's priority down on paper tonight.

The idea became clearer when we put it down on paper.

Expression 7

a self-reinforcing loop

A process in which one result makes the same process stronger and more likely to continue.

Nuance: It can describe a positive cycle, such as progress building confidence, or a negative one.

Action and confidence can form a self-reinforcing loop.

Avoidance can also become a self-reinforcing loop.

Expression 8

to move forward

To make progress with a task, plan or situation.

Nuance: Often figurative; it contrasts productive progress with activity that does not change the situation.

I was busy, but I was not moving forward.

One clear decision helped the project move forward.

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