Vocabulary practice · Episode 204

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 18 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

performance review

A formal discussion or assessment of how someone is doing at work.

Nuance: Usually refers to a workplace evaluation by a manager; review is a noun in this phrase.

Camila was asked to contribute more in her performance review.

My manager scheduled my performance review for next week.

Expression 2

frame

A way of understanding or interpreting a situation.

Nuance: Here frame is figurative: it is not a physical border around a picture.

A different setting may bring a different frame to mind.

Her experience gave her a new frame for understanding the problem.

Expression 3

bring something to mind

To make someone think of something.

Nuance: The thing recalled follows bring; the expression does not necessarily mean remembering deliberately.

Changing language might bring a different frame to mind.

That song brings my first trip to mind.

Expression 4

join in

To take part in an activity or conversation with other people.

Nuance: Often used without an object; use join in with when naming an activity.

Joining in can be hard even when you know the words.

She joined in with the game after lunch.

Expression 5

contribute

To take part by offering an idea, effort or something useful.

Nuance: Use contribute to before the activity or result; contribute to a meeting can mean sharing ideas.

Camila's review says she should contribute more in meetings.

Everyone contributed to the discussion.

Expression 6

be about to

To be going to do something very soon.

Nuance: Use be about to followed by the base form of a verb; it describes an imminent action.

A group may be about to change the subject.

I was about to leave when the phone rang.

Expression 7

psychological distance

A feeling that something is less immediate or personally close.

Nuance: In the episode it is a possible explanation, not a proven rule for every person.

Researchers discuss psychological distance as one possible explanation.

Writing about a problem later can give someone psychological distance.

Expression 8

carry weight

To have importance or emotional force.

Nuance: A figurative expression; words can carry different weight for different people.

Words might not carry the same weight in both languages.

Her apology carried more weight because it was sincere.

Expression 9

buy time

To create a little extra time before doing or deciding something.

Nuance: You do not buy anything literally; a short phrase can buy you time in conversation.

A useful phrase can buy you time to find your words.

He asked a question to buy time before answering.

Expression 10

find your words

To work out what you want to say and how to say it.

Nuance: Often used when someone needs a moment to express a thought or feeling.

A short phrase gives you a moment to find your words.

She paused to find her words before replying.

Expression 11

come out wrong

To be expressed in a way that does not match what someone intended.

Nuance: Often used about speech; say 'That came out wrong' before clarifying your meaning.

Sometimes things come out wrong in a conversation.

My joke came out wrong, so I explained what I meant.

Expression 12

give it time

To allow something more time to develop or improve.

Nuance: A reassuring suggestion; it does not promise a specific result or deadline.

Give your English voice time to grow.

The new routine feels strange now, but give it time.

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