#290 Movie Idioms in English

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Transcript:

Hi, everyone! I am Georgiana, your English teacher and founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you speak English fluently.

Today, we are going to talk about idioms and specific vocabulary related to movies in English.

And with a mini-story, you are going to improve your fluency. I’ll tell you a story while asking you many questions that you have to answer right away. It’s like talking to another person in English.

Please visit SpeakEnglishPodcast.com to get the transcript of today’s episode. And follow me on FacebookInstagram, and Youtube.

Let’s get started!

As I said today, we will look at some specific words and idioms related to movies in English.

Let’s start!

1. Get the show on the road

When someone tells you to get the show on the road, they urge you to start doing something. They want you to start, even if there are some mistakes and things that hinder your progress.

Examples:

 “Let’s get the show on the road, or we’ll be late.”

“We’re finally ready to get the show on the road.”

“It’s about time we got the show on the road!”

“Come on, the fans are waiting outside, and we must get the show on the road!”

2. To kick off a show or kickoff

In show business, to kick off a show means to start a performance. We also use this expression to refer to the first performance among many.

A kickoff celebration is a party that celebrates the beginning of something. You can simply call this party a kickoff.

Examples:

“The advertising campaign is ready to kick off the show.”

 “Kickoff will be at 10 o’clock prompt.”

 “Tom is coming to the kickoff tonight.”

3. Popcorn movie

Do you enjoy eating popcorn?

But what’s a popcorn movie?

When you want to watch a movie just for entertainment, you will usually watch a popcorn movie. Although they are called popcorn movies, you don’t necessarily need to eat popcorn while watching them.

Let’s say that this kind of movie will not give you a new perspective on life. Many of the summer blockbusters are popcorn movies, and the great thing is that you can watch them with friends or family.

blockbuster is a very successful product like a movie or a book that makes a lot of money.

For instance, a Hollywood studio releases many movies in search of a blockbuster.

Here are some popular popcorn movies you have already watched:

Transformers (2007), Spider-Man (2002), Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), Mission: Impossible (1996), Forrest Gump (1994), Batman Begins (2005), The Fast and the Furious (2001), etc.

4. Live up to the hype

If a movie or a show is up to the hype, it means there is enough interest in it. Movie critics and bloggers become excited about something by generating a lot of buzz or hype.

Generally speaking, it’s hard to live up to the hype, but the best movies can generate many expectations before they are released.

Examples:

“I watched that movie you recommended last week, and it definitely lived up to the hype. I loved it!

“I am happy to say that your performance lived up to the hype.”

5. Sell out

We can use the expression to sell out in several ways.

But if tickets are sold out, it means that all available tickets for a movie, concert, etc., have been sold.

And also when we want to buy something in a store or on the Internet. If they are sold out, they are no longer available.

Examples: 

“We sold out all the movie tickets in the first couple of hours.”

“My favorite T-shirt sold out everywhere.”

Before we continue, I want to give you a useful tip on how to understand movies in English.

First of all, you should keep in mind that movies are meant for native speakers and are full of expressions and phrasal verbs. And yes, actors usually talk fast. And the reason they speak so fast is that they have memorized their lines.

I believe that the biggest problem English students have is that they don’t listen enough. First, you have to build a good foundation by listening to many hours of content with clear audio and good pronunciation. Over time, understanding movies will become easier.

Before I move on to the next section, go and get the transcript of this episode at SpeakEnglishPodcast.com/podcast

Do you know how you can help me? You can share the podcast with your friends and family. And tell them to go to SpeakEnglishPodcast.com to get my free mini-course. That would mean a lot to me. Thanks.

Ok! Let’s continue with a mini-story.

Mini-Story (practice your speaking)


A mini-story is very simple but really powerful. I ask easy questions on purpose so that you can simulate a conversation. It’s like talking with another person in English.

Let’s start!

Forrest Gump is an American comedy-drama, and the main actor in the movie is Tom Hanks.
Is Forrest Gump a play?
No. No. It’s not a play. It’s a movie.
Is it a horror movie?
No. No. It’s a comedy-drama movie.
Is it a European movie?
No. No. It’s not a European movie. It’s an American movie.
Who’s the main actor? Tom Cruise?
No. No. The main actor in Forrest Gump is Tom Hanks.

The movie’ kickoff was in 1994 in The United States.
Was the movie’s kickoff in 1998?
No. No. The movie’ kickoff was in 1994.
Was the movie’s kickoff In Canada?
No. No. It was in The United States.

Forrest Gump had such incredible success; it sold out in some theaters.

Was Forrest Gump a big failure?
No. No. Forrest Gump had an incredible success.
Did people watch the movie online?
No. No. In 1994 nobody watched movies online.
Was the movie sold out?
Yes. The movie was sold out in some theatres.

Despite being a popcorn movie, it definitely lived up to the hype.
Do people sometimes eat popcorn while watching the movie?
Yes. People sometimes eat popcorn when watching the movie.
Do people eat popcorn because it’s a popcorn movie?
No. No. People don’t eat popcorn because of that. Popcorn movie is an entertaining movie.
Did the movie live up to the hype?
Yes. The movie was very successful, so it lived up to the hype.

Perfect! It’s the end of this mini-story. As you can see, through questions and answers, you can practice and improve your speech just like in a real conversation.

It is one of the techniques that I use in my premium courses. I recommend you take a look at:

SpeakEnglishPodcast.com/courses

Ok, we have reached the end of this episode. Remember to listen to it several times. It will help with your English.

See you soon! Bye! Bye!

0 Comments

With Georgiana’s method  I have started speaking English from minute one and this is exactly what I needed. With the traditional method you will practice grammar, grammar and grammar, but with Georgiana’s method you will practice listening and speaking and in my opinion this is the most important thing when you are learning a new language. Ricardo

“Thanks to Georgiana, I have lost my fear of speaking English. I have eliminated my frustration and started to enjoy this language.” Miriam

“I did not study English when I was a child. I contacted Georgiana at a time when I felt blocked. She has helped me to lose my fear of speaking English.” Ana