Episode 27 - Nature idioms

ESL in Ho Chi Minh City

This podcast will introduce you to common American idioms related to the subject of nature. In the first half of the podcast we will review the expressions. The second half is a dictation exercise that will test your understanding of these idioms. If you would like a full transcript of this podcast or additional exercises, please write to us at [email protected] Nature is all around us. It is the air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and the stones we build with. Nature is a complex system that extends from the dark underground labyrinths up to the highest billowing clouds. The sun and moon hold a great influence over nature as well. Our entire world has been sculpted by these forces of nature, by what some call, Mother Nature. Here are just a few common idioms and proverbs related to the wonder that is nature. To reach for the stars = to have high or ambitious aims under the sun = everywhere, anywhere, everything or anything make hay while the sun shines = take advantage of the opportunity while it lasts many moons ago = a long time ago. come back down to earth = return your thinking to serious or realistic matters like nothing on earth = very strange or unique cannot see the forest for the trees = fail to understand the main point because your focus overwhelmed by the details to make waves = to make an intentional impression or to cause trouble come rain or shine = no matter if it rains or not be as right as rain = be correct, comfortable or perfect when it rains, it pours = it is common for a misfortune to be compounded by another misfortune under the weather = ill or in low spirits. To weather the storm = to be strong and survive a negative situation against nature = unnatural or immoral. the nature of things = inevitable or the normal procedure to be snowed under = to be overwhelmed or to be completely busy it's an ill wind that blows no good = few things are so bad that no one profits from them to be at sea = to be confused or unable to decide Dictation exercise A long time ago, there was a little boy called William. His family lived in seclusion surrounded by a forest. William's mom warned him never to wander off but William was a fidgety boy. He often wondered what was out there beyond the forest. While his mom was completely busy with cooking, cleaning and unnamed chores, William wanted to do something more special with his life. In his normal routine, William would get in trouble and be in the doghouse with his mom most of the time. One time he dragged home a dead animal that looked too strange to describe. Another time he made a little dinghy and tried to sail out to sea. He found himself sailing against the tide and went nowhere. Another misfortune happened and he had to survive a storm and swim back to shore. His mother thought she lost him but found him lying on the beach half alive. His mother tried to make him see the consequences of his actions and that she would not stay healthy and young forever. He should start thinking seriously and stop putting himself in danger. For her, adventures were only trouble without any benefit. Her advice, however, fell on deaf ears. William got up at the crack of dawn everyday, regardless of the weather. His early start meant he could stay out longer, since he believed in never missing an opportunity that presented itself. One day his mom felt ill and couldn’t cook William a meal. William tried his hand at cooking but he was confused with his mom's recipes. First he burnt the food, then the kitchen caught fire. At the end of the day, he managed to feed his mom and himself, just barely. It was a turning point in his life. Since then, he spent more time at home, helping his mom around the house. Cooking was now the real adventure for William. THE END