Vocabulary practice · Episode 160

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

keep your word

To do what you promised to do.

Nuance: This expression focuses on personal reliability and honour. Keep your word is the opposite of break your word; give someone your word means make a serious promise.

Both men kept their word by returning after twenty years.

I gave her my word, so I will finish the work today.

Expression 2

lose track of someone

To stop knowing where someone is or what is happening in their life.

Nuance: It usually happens gradually after people stop communicating. Lose track of time is a related expression, but it means fail to notice how much time has passed.

Bob and Jimmy lost track of each other after Bob moved west.

I lost track of my school friend when her family moved abroad.

Expression 3

turn up

To arrive or appear, often when somebody is waiting or the arrival is uncertain.

Nuance: Turn up is informal and common in speech. It can suggest that the person arrives unexpectedly, late or after doubt about whether they would come.

Bob was certain that Jimmy would turn up.

We waited for an hour, but the delivery driver never turned up.

Expression 4

not have the heart to do something

To feel unable to do something because it would be too painful, cruel or upsetting.

Nuance: This expression describes an emotional or moral reluctance, not a physical heart problem. It is followed by an infinitive: not have the heart to + verb.

Jimmy did not have the heart to arrest his childhood friend himself.

I did not have the heart to tell her that the project had been cancelled.

Expression 5

make your fortune

To become wealthy or successful, often by seeking opportunities away from home.

Nuance: This traditional expression often appears in stories about ambition and travel. Fortune here means wealth or success, not luck alone.

Bob left New York for the West to make his fortune.

She moved to the city hoping to make her fortune in business.

Expression 6

be under arrest

To be officially detained by the police because you are suspected or accused of a crime.

Nuance: The fixed phrase uses be: you are under arrest. It describes legal custody and is stronger and more specific than simply being questioned by the police.

The detective told Bob that he was under arrest.

The suspect was placed under arrest at the airport.

Expression 7

plainclothes officer

A police officer who is working without a uniform and is dressed like an ordinary civilian.

Nuance: Plainclothes is normally used before a noun, especially officer or detective. It does not mean off duty; the officer is still working.

Jimmy asked a plainclothes officer to arrest Bob.

Two plainclothes officers followed the suspect through the station.

Expression 8

arm in arm

With two people linking or holding each other’s arms while walking.

Nuance: This fixed expression suggests closeness, friendship or affection. It functions as an adverbial phrase: they walked arm in arm.

Bob and the detective began walking arm in arm.

The old friends left the celebration arm in arm.

Expression 9

past perfect

A verb form used to show that one past action happened before another past action or reference point.

Nuance: Form it with had + past participle. Use it when the earlier event needs to be made clear; once the sequence is established, simple past may be enough for later sentences.

They had promised to meet before they lost contact.

Jimmy had recognised Bob before he asked another officer for help.

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