Episode 267
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Hi, everyone! Thanks for joining me for another episode. I'm Georgiana, your English teacher and founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com
Today, we're continuing our journey of expressions inspired by man's best friend: the dog. And with a fun point-of-view story you will improve your grammar in context.
Our first phrase is dogged determination. When someone shows dogged determination, they're incredibly persistent, not giving up easily. It's like a dog who won't let go of its favorite toy.
Next, we have 'the hair of the dog.' This means taking a bit of alcohol to ease a hangover. It's a humorous way to suggest that a little of what caused your problem might help solve it.
Moving on, a dog in the manger is an expression for someone who doesn't want others to enjoy something they don't need or use.
And then there's the saying, 'You can't teach an old dog new tricks.' It suggests that teaching someone new things is challenging, especially if they're set in their ways. However, never let that stop you from learning!
Let's continue!
Ever been so exhausted you can barely stand? That's being dog-tired.
If everything is a mess, you'd say it's a dog's breakfast or a dog's dinner. For instance, you are trying to bake a cake and ending up with flour all over the kitchen!
Sometimes, people feel they're dogged by bad luck, meaning they feel misfortune is constantly following them.
On a fun note, dog and bone is playful rhyming slang for 'phone.' So, if you're chatting on your dog and bone, you're on your phone!
If you can't finish your meal, you might ask for a doggie bag to take the leftovers home when dining out.
And dog watch? The phrase for people who work at sea refers to a brief period of duty on a boat.
When someone says they're leading a dog's life, it expresses having a tough or miserable time.
I hope you're not having a miserable time but are enjoying listening to this show.
Let's listen to the expressions one more time:
1. dogged determination
2. the hair of the dog
3. a dog in the manger
4. you can't teach an old dog new tricks
5. dog tired
6. dog's breakfast/dinner
7. dogged by bad luck
8. dog and bone
9. doggie bag
10. dog's life
11. dog watch
Great! That's all for now! I hope you found this topic helpful.
Now, let’s practice.
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GRAMMAR MADE EASY
POV Story: Grammar in Context
Read the same story in two different points of view and notice how the grammar changes naturally.
Past Tense - Third Person
I will tell you the same story twice. So make sure to focus on the changes.
Jenny wanted to start a new business. She loved dogs and thought, "Why not open a pub for dog lovers?" She called it "Bark & Cheers."
On the first day, Mr. Smith came in. He looked tired. Jenny asked, "Rough day?"
Mr. Smith replied, "Ruff? Oh, you mean because of the dogs? Ha! Good one."
Jenny had a special drink called the Hair of the Dog. It wasn't made of real hair! Just a funny name. But when Mr. Smith ordered it, he joked, "Will it make me bark?"
The pub had a phone, but it was very old. Everyone called it the dog and bone. One day, it rang. Jenny said, "Oh, the dog's barking!" People laughed. It was just the phone!
She also had a menu. One dish didn't look nice but tasted amazing. People said it looked like a dog's breakfast, but it was yummy!
One day, an older man, came. He sat and watched. He didn't eat or drink. Jenny thought he was like a dog in the manger.
He told her, "I'm too old for new things." Jenny smiled and said, "They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but maybe this old dog can try a new drink?" He laughed and finally ordered.
One evening, Jenny was super tired. She said, "I'm dog tired." Mr. Smith said, "Did too many dogs chase you today?" Everyone laughed.
But not everything was funny. Jenny felt she was dogged by bad luck. Sometimes things went wrong. It looked messy when she tried to pack food in a doggie bag. Or when she had to stay up late for the dog watch to make sure everything was okay in the pub.
But no matter what, Jenny loved her doggy pub. Because in a place where dog lovers gathered, there were bound to be some "ruff" moments. But that's what made it "paw-sitively" amazing!
Future Tense - Third Person
Jenny will want to start a new business. She will love dogs and think, "Why not open a pub for dog lovers?" She will call it "Bark & Cheers."
On the first day, Mr. Smith will come in. He will look tired. Jenny will ask, "Rough day?"
Mr. Smith will reply, "Ruff? Oh, you mean because of the dogs? Ha! Good one."
Jenny will have a special drink called the Hair of the Dog. It won't be made of real hair! Just a funny name. But when Mr. Smith orders it, he will joke, "Will it make me bark?"
The pub will have a phone, but it will be very old. Everyone will call it the dog and bone. One day, it will ring. Jenny will say, "Oh, the dog's barking!" People will laugh. It will be just the phone!
She will also have a menu. One dish won't look nice but will taste amazing. People will say it looks like a dog's breakfast, but it will be yummy!
One day, an older man, will come. He will sit and watch. He won't eat or drink. Jenny will think he's like a dog in the manger.
He will tell her, "I'm too old for new things." Jenny will smile and say, "They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks, but maybe this old dog can try a new drink?" He will laugh and finally order.
One evening, Jenny will be super tired. She will say, "I'm dog tired." Mr. Smith will say, "Did too many dogs chase you today?" Everyone will laugh.
But not everything will be funny. Jenny will feel she's dogged by bad luck. Sometimes things will go wrong. When she tries to pack food in a doggie bag, it will look messy. Or when she has to stay up late for the dog watch to make sure everything is okay in the pub.
But no matter what, Jenny will love her doggy pub. Because in a place where dog lovers gather, there will be bound to be some "ruff" moments. But that's what will make it "paw-sitively" amazing!
Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode.
Review
Vocabulary
Review the most useful words and expressions before listening again.
every dog has its day
everyone eventually gets an opportunity for success.
dog-eat-dog
fiercely competitive.
puppy love
romantic feelings experienced by young people.
sick as a dog
very ill.
go to the dogs
become worse or less successful.
tail between your legs
feeling ashamed after a defeat.
ruff moment
a playful dog-related pun meaning a difficult moment.
paw-sitively
a playful spelling of “positively.”
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