Vocabulary practice · Episode 183

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–B2StoriesAbout 9 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

take someone's place

To do something instead of another person, especially when that person cannot do it.

Nuance: The phrase may describe a practical substitution or, as in the story, a serious personal sacrifice. Say take her place, not take place her.

The Banyan Deer took the mother's place when her turn came.

I can take your place at the meeting if you are ill.

Expression 2

turn away from

To refuse to face or help with something difficult.

Nuance: In this story it describes a moral choice, not simply turning your body in another direction. The object follows from.

The deer could not turn away from the mother's fear.

She did not turn away from her friend when he needed help.

Expression 3

stand up for someone

To defend or support a person when they are treated unfairly or need help.

Nuance: This is an action, often involving speaking or taking a risk. Keep for before the person you support.

The golden deer stood up for the mother and then for both herds.

Mira stood up for her colleague during the meeting.

Expression 4

catch someone's eye

To attract someone's attention because something is noticeable or interesting.

Nuance: This is figurative; nothing is physically caught. A person, object or detail can catch your eye.

The golden deer caught the human king's eye.

The blue cover caught my eye in the bookshop.

Expression 5

take a turn

To do something in an agreed order after someone else.

Nuance: Turn here means a person's place in a sequence, not a change of direction. You can also say it is my turn.

Each herd took a turn in the king's park.

We can take turns reading the story aloud.

Expression 6

reduce suffering

To make pain, distress or hardship less severe.

Nuance: Reduce names a decrease, not a complete end. Suffering can be physical or emotional.

The Banyan Deer looked for a way to reduce their suffering.

The new shelter aims to reduce suffering during the winter.

Expression 7

refuse

To say no to a request or decide firmly not to do something.

Nuance: Use refuse to do something, or refuse a request. In the story, the other leader refused to help the mother.

Her own leader refused to change her turn.

He refused to sign the form without reading it.

Expression 8

no one is to

A formal way to order that nobody may do a particular action.

Nuance: The pattern be to plus verb can express an official instruction. It is stronger and more formal than a simple prediction.

No one is to harm either herd leader.

No one is to enter the room until the meeting ends.

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