Vocabulary practice · Episode 180

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

That was my fault

I was responsible for the mistake or problem.

Nuance: Direct and natural with friends or colleagues. It identifies responsibility for an action, not your worth as a person. There has been a mistake does not identify who caused it.

That was my fault: I sent the old version.

The booking was wrong, and that was my fault.

Expression 2

I should have checked

Checking would have been the better action, but I did not check or did not check properly.

Nuance: Should have + past participle looks back at a missed action. I should check instead gives advice about now or the future; it is not the same time perspective.

I should have checked the attachment before sending the email.

I should have checked the date before booking.

Expression 3

Let me put it right

Let me take action to correct the problem.

Nuance: Common in British English; Let me fix it is another natural option. Name a concrete action and do not guarantee an outcome outside your control.

Let me put it right: I will send the correct file.

Let me put it right by calling the restaurant.

Expression 4

I take full responsibility

I accept complete responsibility for what happened.

Nuance: Web-only extension, not spoken in the episode. Stronger and more formal than That was my fault; appropriate for a clear statement of accountability, not necessarily a minor slip.

I take full responsibility for the incorrect report.

I take full responsibility, and I will explain how we will correct it.

Expression 5

I owe you an apology

I recognise that I should apologise to you.

Nuance: Web-only extension, not spoken in the episode. It introduces a sincere apology; follow it with what you did and an actual apology, not a demand for forgiveness.

I owe you an apology for interrupting you.

I owe you an apology: I blamed you before checking the facts.

Expression 6

Thanks for flagging it

Thank you for bringing that issue to my attention.

Nuance: Web-only extension, not spoken in the episode. Common in workplace conversation; flag means point out a possible issue, not put a literal flag on it.

Thanks for flagging it; I will check the figures.

Thanks for flagging it before we sent the report.

Expression 7

I'll double-check next time

I will check again or more carefully on the next occasion.

Nuance: Web-only extension, not spoken in the episode. A specific promise of greater care, not a guarantee that mistakes can never happen. Double-check is a verb.

I will double-check the attachment next time.

I'll double-check next time before I confirm the date.

Expression 8

I appreciate your patience

I am grateful that you are waiting or dealing calmly with a delay or difficulty.

Nuance: Web-only extension, not spoken in the episode. Warm but somewhat more formal than Thanks for waiting. Use it sincerely alongside progress or a repair, not instead of action.

I appreciate your patience while I correct the file.

I appreciate your patience during the delay.

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