Learn how to use the phrase "cut corners”.
Check out the "Singlish with Josh" YouTube channel and website.

Episode Script:

“He must have cut some corners with this project!”

Welcome to “ESL with Josh” - a podcast that will help you to speak more like a native English speaker. In this episode, we will consider the phrase “cut corners” - what does it mean and how do we use it?

“Cutting corners” is an idiom, which means that this phrase has a meaning unrelated to the words found in it.
”Cutting corners” (as an idiom) does NOT mean using scissors to cut paper.
”Cutting corners” (as an idiom) does NOT have anything to do with corners.

“Cutting corners” DOES mean doing something quicker or cheaper than it should be done.

The phrase was first used in the 1800s to describe carriages turning quickly to save time, and “cutting off the corner”. This act was intended to save time but often resulted in negative consequences. The carriage wheel could hit the curb and cause the carriage to tip over and cause a big problem. The intent was to make the route shorter and arrive quicker, but it often proved that taking the longer, safer route was actually better, and often quicker in the end.

Today, “cutting corners” is used for any situation where someone uses the cheapest, quickest, or easiest way to accomplish something. This implies that the quality of the work will be lower than it would have if done properly. This idiom is used in both social situations as well as in the business world.

Here are a few examples:

• If you want to succeed in this life, you can’t cut corners. You have to put in the work.
• Our boss doesn’t deserve his position. The only reason he was promoted to that role is because he cut corners.
• With travel costs increasing, the concern is that airlines are cutting corners in order to make a profit.
• The company has had to start cutting corners by importing products that they used to produce locally.

Now it is time to take a quiz.
Which of the following sentences use the idiom correctly?

1. When it became known that the accountant was cutting corners, he was fired immediately.
2. This toy fell apart before I even touched it. They must have really sliced corners when they made these things.
3. Can you cut the corners of the sandwich off for me?
4. You should never cut corners when it comes to your health.

What do you think?
The correct sentences are numbers 1 and 4.

Now it’s time for the Joke of the Day
What do you call an expensive belt that is too small?
A huge waist (waste).

Thanks for listening!

If you have any suggestions for future episodes, you can email me at ESLwithJosh@gmail.com.
Be sure to follow this podcast so you don’t miss any episodes.
Also please check out my YouTube channel for more English resources. You can find it at youtube.com/SinglishwithJosh

Thanks for tuning in!

Learn how to use the phrase "lion’s share”.
Check out the "Singlish with Josh" YouTube channel and website.

Episode Script:

“Why should you get the lion’s share of the pizza?”

Welcome to “ESL with Josh” - a podcast that will help you to speak more like a native English speaker. In this episode, we will consider the phrase “lion’s share” - what does it mean and how do we use it?

“Lion’s share” is an idiom, which means that this phrase has a meaning unrelated to the words found in it.
”Lion’s share” does NOT mean that lions like to share things.
”Lion’s share” (as an idiom) does NOT have anything to do with animals.

“Lion’s share” DOES mean the largest portion of something.

The phrase originates from Aesop’s fables. In one of these stories, a lion and 3 other animals go hunting together. Once they succeeded, the lion decided that all four portions would belong to him. Aesop concludes that “one may share the labors of the great, but you will not share the spoils.” So originally, the “lion’s share” indicated the entire amount of something, but over time the phrase began to refer to the largest and best portion of something.

Today, the idiom is used in sorts of contexts to refer to the largest amount or portion of something.

Here are a few examples:

• At the swim meet, Patrick won the lion’s share of the gold medals.
• The lead actor received the lion’s share of the credit for the show’s success.
• In many cultures, the oldest son receives the lion’s share of the estate.
• Dad spent the lion’s share of our vacation working on his computer.

Now it is time to take a quiz.
Which of the following sentences use the idiom correctly?

1. Why should we split the bill evenly when you ate as much as a lion?
2. My little sister is small but she still always eats the lion’s share of pizza on movie night.
3. This was a team project, but Jerry clearly did the lion’s share of the work.
4. Lionel Messi scored the lion’s amount of Argentina’s goals in the world cup.

What do you think?
The correct sentences are numbers 2 and 3.

Now it’s time for the Joke of the Day
What time should you make an appointment at the dentist?
2:30 ("Tooth hurty")

Thanks for listening!

If you have any suggestions for future episodes, you can email me at ESLwithJosh@gmail.com.
Be sure to follow this podcast so you don’t miss any episodes.
Also please check out my YouTube channel for more English resources. You can find it at youtube.com/SinglishwithJosh

Thanks for tuning in!

Learn how to use the phrase "jump through hoops”.
Check out the "Singlish with Josh" YouTube channel and website.

Episode Script:

“Please don’t make me jump through a lot of hoops!”

Welcome to “ESL with Josh” - a podcast that will help you to speak more like a native English speaker. In this episode, we will consider the phrase “jump through hoops” - what does it mean and how do we use it?

“Jump through hoops” is an idiom, which means that this phrase has a meaning unrelated to the words found in it. ”Jump through hoops” does NOT mean to literally jump through something. ”Jump through hoops” does NOT have anything to do with basketball.

“Jumping through hoops” DOES mean doing a lot of annoying or difficult tasks in order to accomplish something.

Have you ever been to a circus, or seen one in a movie? Many circus acts involve animals jumping through hoops, sometimes hoops that are on fire. Think about this act. There is no purpose in the animal jumping through the hoop, except to entertain others. Often the animals are even threatened with a whip in order to make sure they jump through the hoops.

This is where the idiom comes from. If you have to do multiple annoying or difficult tasks in order to accomplish something, you may feel like you are being treated like a zoo animal. The annoying tasks seem to have no purpose other than entertaining the person or institution that is making you do them.

So, the phrase “jump through hoops” is used often for describing how difficult it was to accomplish something. At times, the idiom is expanded to “jump through a lot of hoops”.

Here are a few examples:

• We had to jump through a lot of hoops to get my father admitted to the hospital.
• With all of the security checks, you have to jump through a lot of hoops in the airport to get onto a flight.
• I jumped through hoops all morning to get this appointment for you, so you better make it on time.
• Hopefully I will get my visa someday. It feels like all I am doing is jumping through hoops for no reason.

Now it is time to take a quiz.
Which of the following sentences use the idiom correctly?

1. If you want to be an actor, be prepared to hop through a lot of hoops in order to land a job.
2. I wish we could get more done. It seems like we are just constantly jumping through hoops.
3. We had to jump through fire to get my father admitted to the hospital.
4. I am tired of jumping in circles to get a passport. I give up.

What do you think?
The only correct sentence is number 2.

Now it’s time for the Joke of the Day
What animal can jump higher than a house? 
All of them. Houses can’t jump.

Thanks for listening!

If you have any suggestions for future episodes, you can email me at ESLwithJosh@gmail.com.
Be sure to follow this podcast so you don’t miss any episodes.
Also please check out my YouTube channel for more English resources. You can find it at youtube.com/SinglishwithJosh

Thanks for tuning in!

Learn how to use the phrase "to ride shotgun” or “to call shotgun”.
Check out the "Singlish with Josh" YouTube channel and website.

Episode Script:

“Let’s get in the car. I call shotgun!”

Welcome to “ESL with Josh” - a podcast that will help you to speak more like a native English speaker. In this episode, we will consider the phrase “to ride (or call) shotgun” - what does it mean and how do we use it?

“To ride or call shotgun” is an idiom, which means that this phrase has a meaning unrelated to the words found in it.
”To call shotgun” does NOT mean to speak to a gun.
”To ride or call shotgun” does NOT have anything to do with a gun.

“To ride shotgun” DOES mean to sit in the front passenger seat of a vehicle, next to the driver.
“To call shotgun” means to claim the right to sit in the front passenger seat.

The phrase originates in the early 1900s in the American “wild west”. People often traveled by stagecoaches, pulled by horses. To protect themselves and their cargo, often someone sat right next to the driver with access to a shotgun in case their stagecoach was attacked. This role became known as “riding shotgun”. The phrase first shows up in literature in 1905. Alfred Henry Lewis, in his “The Sunset Trail”, describes Wyatt Earp as “riding shotgun” when a stagecoach was carrying valuable treasures.

Today the phrase “riding shotgun” refers simply to the act of sitting in the front passenger seat of a vehicle. Similarly, “to call shotgun” refers to claiming the right to sit in the front passenger seat. In many situations, this phrase is used in a game to determine who gets to sit in the front seat. Once the vehicle is in view, whoever first calls out “shotgun” gets the right to sit in the front seat.

Here are a few examples:

• Let’s head out. I call shotgun!
• Yesterday Paul rode shotgun so I had to sit in the back all by myself.
• Mom, don’t let Owen sit up front. I called shotgun!
• I often feel sick when I sit in the back, so is it OK if I ride shotgun?

Now it is time to take a quiz.
Which of the following sentences use the idiom correctly?

1. Can I ride shotgun? I love driving!
2. Yesterday Paul shot a gun before getting into the car.
3. Mom, don’t let Owen sit in the front. I called rifle!
4. I am tired of sitting in the back. Can I ride shotgun?

What do you think?
The only correct sentence is number 4.

Now it’s time for the Joke of the Day
What has four wheels and flies? 
A garbage truck

Thanks for listening!

If you have any suggestions for future episodes, you can email me at ESLwithJosh@gmail.com.
Be sure to follow this podcast so you don’t miss any episodes.
Also please check out my YouTube channel for more English resources. You can find it at youtube.com/SinglishwithJosh

Thanks for tuning in!

Learn how to use the phrase "wild goose chase”.
Check out the "Singlish with Josh" YouTube channel and website.

Episode Script:

“Are you taking me a wild goose chase?”

Welcome to “ESL with Josh” - a podcast that will help you to speak more like a native English speaker. In this episode, we will consider the phrase “wild goose chase” - what does it mean and how do we use it?

“Wild goose chase” is an idiom, which means that this phrase has a meaning unrelated to the words found in it.
”Wild goose chase” does NOT refer to running after birds.
”Wild goose chase” does NOT have anything to do with a goose.

“Wild goose chase” DOES refer to a hopeless search for something that is impossible to find.

Originally, this phrase appears to refer to a certain type of horse race where the horses end up in a V-formation, similar to how birds fly in a v-formation. A notable example of this meaning of the phrase shows up in Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Since then, the idiom began to refer to a hopeless quest, such as chasing after a goose, which is an extremely difficult challenge. Imagine running after a goose that changes directions and speeds often. It would look quite wild, and you would likely not succeed.

So, today the idiom refers to any quest or search for something that is impossible to find.

Here are a few examples:

• The robber fled the scene quickly, and now the police are on a wild goose chase to track him down.
• Apparently my brother had the car keys. I was on a wild goose chase around the whole house trying to find them.
• Trying to find an affordable apartment these days is a wild goose chase.
• Let’s make sure he knows where the pharmacy is so he doesn’t spend his whole day on a wild goose chase.

Now it is time to take a quiz.

Which of the following sentences use the idiom correctly?

1. Did you see the wild goose chasing the dog around the yard?
2. We all set out on a wild goose chase to find the dog who got out of the fence and ran away.
3. My mom is looking everywhere for her earrings. Personally I think it is a crazy goose chase.
4. There are coffee shops everywhere, but finding coffee that is actually good is a wild goose chase.

What do you think?
The correct sentences are numbers 2 and 4.

Now it’s time for the Joke of the Day
Why do geese fly south in the winter?
It is too far to walk.

Thanks for listening!

If you have any suggestions for future episodes, you can email me at ESLwithJosh@gmail.com.
Be sure to follow this podcast so you don’t miss any episodes.
Also please check out my YouTube channel for more English resources. You can find it at youtube.com/SinglishwithJosh

Thanks for tuning in!

Learn how to use the phrase "pull a fast one".
Check out the "Singlish with Josh" YouTube channel and website.

Episode Script:
“Are you trying to pull a fast one on me?”

Welcome to “ESL with Josh” - a podcast that will help you to speak more like a native English speaker. In this episode, we will consider the phrase “pull a fast one” - what does it mean and how do we use it?

“Pull a fast one” is an idiom, which means that this phrase has a meaning unrelated to the words found in it.
”Pull a fast one” does NOT mean to pull on something.
”Pull a fast one” does NOT mean to run fast.

“Pull a fast one” DOES mean to trick or deceive someone.

The origin of this idiom is unclear. Some think it comes from a magician performing card tricks, where they manipulate the cards quickly in order to trick those watching. Or possibly it refers to someone shuffling cards in a manner to deal himself good cards and his opponent bad cards.

Regardless, the idiom “pull a fast one” means to trick or deceive someone. Typically the person being tricked is clear by saying “pull a fast one on someone”.

Here are a few examples:

• Are you trying to pull a fast one on me?
• At the store, I needed to pay $9. After giving the cashier a $20 bill, he tried to pull a fast one by only giving me $1 back and claiming I only gave him a $10 bill.
• Jenny pulled a fast one when she said she had a headache so she could leave school early.
• Everyone believed the rumor until Jack confessed that he had pulled a fast one on us all.

Now it is time to take a quiz. 
Which of the following sentences use the idiom correctly?

1. I have a good plan for how to pull a fast one on my friends for April Fools’ Day.
2. I think the people who claim they saw UFOs are trying to pull a fast one on us.
3. I know what the price should be. You can’t push a fast one on me.
4. I lent my friend $15. He pulled a fast one at me and never paid me back.

What do you think? 
The correct sentences are numbers 1 and 2.

Now it’s time for the Joke of the Day
Why should you take two pairs of pants to play golf?
You may get a hole in one.

Thanks for listening!

If you have any suggestions for future episodes, you can email me at ESLwithJosh@gmail.com.
Be sure to follow this podcast so you don’t miss any episodes.
Also please check out my YouTube channel for more English resources. You can find it at youtube.com/SinglishwithJosh

Thanks for tuning in!

Learn how to use the phrase "to flesh out”.
Check out the "Singlish with Josh" YouTube channel and website.

Episode Script:
“We are going to flesh out an idiom on the podcast today.”

Welcome to “ESL with Josh” - a podcast that will help you to speak more like a native English speaker. In this episode, we will consider the phrase “to flesh out” - what does it mean and how do we use it?

“To flesh out” is an idiom, which means that this phrase has a meaning unrelated to the words found in it. ”To flesh out” does NOT mean to literally put skin on something or remove skin from something. ”To flesh out” does NOT have anything to do with a body part.

“To flesh out” DOES mean to develop by adding more information.

The phrase comes from the idea of a skeleton, all bones and no muscles and flesh. The skeleton needs to be “fleshed out” in order to be complete. In the same way, if an idea is shared without enough details, the idea needs to be “fleshed out” to be completed. To “flesh out” an idea means to develop it by adding missing information or details.

It can be used in two ways. In the first way, the thing needing more information comes after the phrase, like this: “Let’s flesh out that idea.” The other way is to split the phrase in the middle: “Let’s flesh that idea out.”

Here are a few examples:

• Great idea! Let’s get together to flesh that out.
• I think the story is good, but the author could have fleshed out the characters more.
• This plan looks good. All that is left is to flesh out the details.
• The outline is done. Once Peter fleshes it out a bit, the speech should be finished.

Now it is time to take a quiz. 
Which of the following sentences use the idiom correctly?

1. I think the story is good, but the author could have fleshed in the characters more.
2. I think the story is good, but the author could have skinned out the characters more.
3. I think the story is good, but the author could have fleshed out the characters more.
4. I think the story is good, but the author could have fleshed the characters more.

What do you think? 
The only correct sentence is number 3.

Now it’s time for the Joke of the Day
Did you know the first French fries weren’t actually cooked in France?
They were cooked in Greece (grease).

Thanks for listening!

If you have any suggestions for future episodes, you can email me at ESLwithJosh@gmail.com.
Be sure to follow this podcast so you don’t miss any episodes.
Also please check out my YouTube channel for more English resources. You can find it at youtube.com/SinglishwithJosh

Thanks for tuning in!

Learn how to use the phrase "a dime a dozen”.Check out the "Singlish with Josh" YouTube channel and website.

Episode Script:
“Podcasts like this are a dime a dozen”

Welcome to “ESL with Josh” - a podcast that will help you to speak more like a native English speaker. In this episode, we will consider the phrase “a dime a dozen” - what does it mean and how do we use it?

“A dime a dozen” is an idiom, which means that this phrase has a meaning unrelated to the words found in it. ”A dime a dozen” does NOT refer to a coin. ”A dime a dozen” does NOT mean that ten equals twelve.

“A dime a dozen” DOES mean simply common or a little value.

In 1796 the United States began making a coin worth 1/10th of a dollar. This 10-cent coin was introduced as a dime. In the 1800s, some merchants began advertising the cost of their products using the phrase, a dime a dozen, which means that you can purchase 12 for 10 cents. For example, 12 eggs for 10 cents or 12 apples for 10 cents. Merchants would use the phrase a dime a dozen to promote the good value for the money. Over time, the phrase began to be used to refer to something very common and therefore of little value.

Here are a few examples:

• Reality shows on TV are a dime a dozen these days.
• Diet programs are a dime a dozen, and it seems none of them have lasting results.
• Medical face masks used to be hard to find, but now they are a dime a dozen.
• Casual friends are a dime a dozen, but real friends are hard to find.

Now it is time to take a quiz. 
Which of the following sentences use the idiom correctly?

1. I will give you a dime for a dozen pennies.
2. I have never seen a unicorn before. They must be a dime a dozen.
3. How many coins do you have? A dime? A dozen? A hundred?
4. Coffee shops in big cities are a dime a dozen.

What do you think? 
The only correct sentence is number 4.

Now it’s time for the Joke of the Day
Why can’t a bicycle stand up?
It’s two tired.

Thanks for listening!

If you have any suggestions for future episodes, you can email me at ESLwithJosh@gmail.com.
Be sure to follow this podcast so you don’t miss any episodes.
Also please check out my YouTube channel for more English resources. You can find it at youtube.com/SinglishwithJosh

Thanks for tuning in!