Vocabulary practice · Episode 171

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 4 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

leave something with someone

To put something in another person’s care for them to keep temporarily.

Nuance: With identifies the person responsible for it. By identifies a nearby location and does not imply that anyone is looking after it.

We left it with your neighbour at number eighteen.

You can leave your key with the receptionist.

Expression 2

pick something up

To collect something from a place or person.

Nuance: In this meaning the phrasal verb is separable. A pronoun must go in the middle: pick it up, not pick up it; people can also be collected.

Please pick up your parcel.

Could you pick me up after work?

Expression 3

before a time

Earlier than a specified time.

Nuance: It sets an upper time boundary: before eight means earlier than eight. Do not confuse it with after or assume that eight thirty is acceptable.

Please pick it up before eight this evening.

The laptop is ready; collect it before six today.

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