Vocabulary practice · Episode 138

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.

B1VocabularyAbout 6 min + dynamic ads5 PDF versions available
FREE TRANSLATED PDF PACKSStudy this episode with support in your language EspañolDeutschFrançaisفارسی Open the PDF library →

A short study session

Read here, or listen on the episode page

This reader does not play audio. The link above opens the episode with this support selected; press Play or Resume when you are ready.

  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.

Readable web version

Vocabulary from the episode

English only. Choose one support language if you need it.

Your reading position will be saved on this browser.

Expression 1

come out on top

To succeed or be in the strongest position after a competition, difficulty or challenging situation.

Nuance: It describes the final result of a real contest or difficulty. The past form is “came out on top”; it does not merely express confidence about future success.

Emma competed against twenty candidates and came out on top.

The negotiation was difficult, but our team came out on top.

Expression 2

pay off

To produce a good result after effort, patience or investment.

Nuance: In this meaning, the effort or preparation pays off; do not add a person as an object. A separate use, “pay off a debt”, means to repay it completely.

Months of careful practice finally paid off.

Taking time to prepare paid off during the interview.

Expression 3

go places

To show the ability and potential to become successful in the future.

Nuance: Usually said about a talented person, team or young company. It is figurative: it does not mean that the subject is travelling.

Her manager believes that Emma is going places.

That young company is going places because it has strong ideas.

Expression 4

with flying colours

Very successfully, especially when passing an exam, test, inspection or assessment.

Nuance: The phrase intensifies “pass” and is always plural: say “with flying colours”, not “with a flying colour”.

Emma passed her final assessment with flying colours.

The new system passed every safety test with flying colours.

Expression 5

compete against

To try to win or perform better than another person, team or organisation.

Nuance: Use “against” before the opponent. Use “compete for” before the prize or opportunity: candidates compete against each other for a place.

Emma competed against twenty other candidates.

Three teams are competing for the final contract.

Expression 6

a challenging situation

A situation that requires considerable effort, skill or determination.

Nuance: “Challenging” often sounds constructive or neutral: the situation is difficult, but it may offer a chance to learn or improve.

She stayed calm in a challenging situation.

Leading the new team will be challenging but rewarding.

Expression 7

pass an assessment

To achieve the result required to succeed in a formal evaluation of knowledge, skill or quality.

Nuance: Use “pass” directly before the exam or assessment, without “in”: “pass an assessment”. The opposite is “fail an assessment”.

Emma passed her final assessment with flying colours.

Every new product must pass a safety assessment.

Expression 8

retrieval practice

A learning technique in which you actively recall information instead of only reading or listening to it again.

Nuance: Common in education. Completing a sentence from memory or answering before seeing the solution are forms of retrieval practice.

The lesson includes interactive retrieval practice.

A short recall quiz is useful retrieval practice.

Print or study offline

Choose a PDF version

Each button names the available language, format and file size. No email or account is required.

If a PDF does not open, use the complete web reader above and try the download again later. The episode audio remains available on its own page.

Put it back into context

Now listen for what you studied

The resource is support; the listening is the lesson. Return to the same episode and continue from your saved position.

Open episode 138 →