Vocabulary practice · Episode 213

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 16 min + dynamic ads5 PDF versions available
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  1. Choose one expression. Read its definition, nuance and examples.
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Vocabulary from the episode

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Expression 1

fade

To become less bright or less strong over time.

Nuance: Often used for colours, photographs and memories; it can describe a gradual change.

The green fades as chlorophyll breaks down.

The colour of my favourite shirt faded in the sun.

Expression 2

rain cats and dogs

To rain very heavily.

Nuance: Informal and colourful; use it for heavy rain rather than a light shower. 'It is pouring' is a neutral alternative.

The picnic was cancelled because it was raining cats and dogs.

Take an umbrella; it is raining cats and dogs.

Expression 3

a storm in a teacup

A lot of worry or anger about a relatively unimportant issue.

Nuance: Common in British English; 'a tempest in a teapot' is an American variant. It expresses the speaker's judgment that the problem is small.

Their argument over the blanket colour was a storm in a teacup.

The dispute over a tiny change to the sign became a storm in a teacup.

Expression 4

under a cloud

Regarded with suspicion or disapproval.

Nuance: It indicates that suspicion exists, not that wrongdoing has been proved. It differs from 'under the weather', which means feeling unwell.

The manager left the company under a cloud after questions about missing money.

The official remained under a cloud while the allegations were investigated.

Expression 5

scoop

A serving of ice cream formed with a special spoon.

Nuance: One scoop specifies a portion; it does not say whether it will be served in a cone or a bowl.

Could I have one scoop of vanilla ice cream?

She ordered two scoops of chocolate ice cream.

Expression 6

bowl

A deep, round dish used to hold food.

Nuance: A bowl of ice cream names the container or serving, not an exact number of scoops.

How many scoops come in the bowl?

He served the soup in a bowl.

Expression 7

run

To move quickly on your feet.

Nuance: The past form is ran. Use the surrounding words to distinguish movement from other meanings of run.

I run in the park.

They ran to the bus stop.

Expression 8

miss a train

Arrive too late to catch a train.

Nuance: Miss here means fail to catch transport, not feel sad about someone.

Anna missed the last train.

We missed the train by two minutes.

Expression 9

could you check that for me?

A polite request for someone to look at or verify something.

Nuance: Use this for something directly in front of you and that for something mentioned or farther away.

Could you check that for me?

Could you check this address for me?

Expression 10

what can we do about it?

A question inviting another person to discuss a possible solution.

Nuance: We signals cooperation; ask it after explaining the problem clearly.

The receipt shows two sandwiches; what can we do about it?

The room is unavailable; what can we do about it?

Expression 11

parasocial relationship

A sense of personal connection to a public figure or character one does not know personally.

Nuance: Often one-sided; enjoying someone’s work alone does not establish such a relationship.

She feels a parasocial connection to the writer.

The article discusses parasocial relationships with creators.

Expression 12

one-sided relationship

A relationship in which involvement or knowledge is not shared equally.

Nuance: One-sided describes imbalance, not necessarily harm or wrongdoing.

Their relationship feels one-sided.

A parasocial connection is often one-sided.

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