Vocabulary practice · Episode 137

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 19 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

too late

After the time when an action seems possible, useful or acceptable.

Nuance: The episode challenges too late when it expresses fear rather than an objective deadline. It often follows be: It is too late to call.

Martin believed it was too late to contact Tomás after eleven years.

It may feel too late to change direction, but feeling is not always fact.

Expression 2

to write somebody off

To decide that a person has no chance of succeeding, improving or being useful.

Nuance: An informal phrasal verb with a dismissive tone. It can be reflexive: do not write yourself off.

Martin was writing himself off before he had even sent the message.

Do not write her off because she is older than the other candidates.

Expression 3

to move on

To leave a past situation or relationship behind and continue with life.

Nuance: It can mean emotional recovery, accepting change or progressing to something new. It does not always mean forgetting.

Both friends assumed that the other had moved on.

After the company closed, she needed time before she could move on.

Expression 4

an expiry date

A date after which something should no longer be used; figuratively, a supposed limit on how long something can last.

Nuance: British spelling; American English normally uses expiration date. The episode applies the label metaphorically to friendship.

Julia asks whether friendship has an expiry date.

A career setback does not put an expiry date on your ability to learn.

Expression 5

to start again from zero

To rebuild an activity or life situation without the resources, position or familiarity previously available.

Nuance: The phrase emphasises loss of continuity. It does not literally mean having nothing; experience and relationships may remain.

Miriam left her country and felt she was starting again from zero.

Changing careers can feel like starting again from zero, even when your skills transfer.

Expression 6

resilience

The ability to adapt and continue after serious difficulty, loss or change.

Nuance: Resilience does not require denying pain or claiming suffering was beneficial. It describes adaptation, not emotional invulnerability.

The episode defines resilience as continuing without denying what happened.

Her resilience included asking for help rather than handling everything alone.

Expression 7

to make sense of something

To understand a confusing event or organise it into a meaningful explanation.

Nuance: Make sense of takes a noun or pronoun. It focuses on reaching understanding, whereas make sense means to be logical.

Talking to supportive people can help you make sense of a crisis.

I wrote down the events to make sense of what had happened.

Expression 8

to belong

To feel accepted, connected and at home within a group or place.

Nuance: For social membership, use belong to a group; for feeling comfortable in a place, belong in is also common. It is not only about legal membership.

Miriam feared it was too late to belong in Lisbon.

Learning people's names helped him feel that he belonged to the community.

Expression 9

a third place

A regular social setting outside home and work where people can meet and gradually form connections.

Nuance: A sociological term. Cafés, libraries, markets and community centres can act as third places when repeated visits create familiarity.

The Saturday market became Miriam's third place.

Our local library is a third place where neighbours often meet.

Expression 10

to give up

To stop trying to do something because success seems too difficult or unlikely.

Nuance: A separable phrasal verb: give the course up or give up the course. Without an object, it means stop trying entirely.

People often give up before small repeated actions have time to change their lives.

She nearly gave up the class during her first month.

Expression 11

emotionally meaningful

Personally important because it creates genuine emotional value or connection.

Nuance: A common collocation in psychology. Meaningful is stronger than pleasant: an experience may be difficult and still emotionally meaningful.

As time feels limited, people may prioritise emotionally meaningful relationships.

The conversation was uncomfortable but emotionally meaningful.

Expression 12

generativity

The desire to guide, support or create something useful for people who come after you.

Nuance: A psychology term associated especially with midlife and later life. It includes teaching, mentoring, caring, volunteering and creating a lasting contribution.

Miriam expresses generativity by teaching Spanish to the children.

Mentoring younger colleagues gave him a new sense of generativity after retirement.

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