Vocabulary practice · Episode 203

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 10 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

set off

To start a journey.

Nuance: Often followed by for and a destination, or by on and a journey. Set is unchanged in the past tense.

The man set off along the snowy road.

We set off early for the airport.

Expression 2

brush something away

To remove something with a light movement of your hand or a brush.

Nuance: A separable phrasal verb: brush the snow away or brush it away.

He brushed the snow away from the statues.

She brushed the crumbs away from the table.

Expression 3

keep something off

To prevent something from touching or covering a surface.

Nuance: Put the unwanted thing after keep; use off before the surface it should not reach.

The hats helped keep the snow off the statues.

A cover keeps dust off the furniture.

Expression 4

set something down

To put something you are carrying onto a surface.

Nuance: A separable phrasal verb; set it down is natural with a pronoun.

Someone set down a gift outside the door.

Please set your bag down by the chair.

Expression 5

wrap something around

To put a flexible material around an object or person.

Nuance: Use around before the person or object being covered.

He wrapped the cloth around the sixth statue.

She wrapped a scarf around her neck.

Expression 6

in the distance

Far away from where someone is looking or listening.

Nuance: Used for something visible or audible far away; it does not state an exact distance.

In the distance, they saw figures in the snow.

We could hear music in the distance.

Expression 7

give thanks

To express gratitude for something.

Nuance: Somewhat formal or reflective; give thanks for introduces what one appreciates.

They gave thanks for the unexpected gift.

We gave thanks for the help we received.

Expression 8

unexpected

Not expected or predicted.

Nuance: It can describe pleasant or unpleasant surprises; the context supplies the feeling.

The food was an unexpected gift.

An unexpected delay changed our plans.

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