Episode 169
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Hi, everyone! I am Georgiana, your English teacher and founder of SpeakEnglishPodcast.com. My mission is to help you speak English fluently with no grammar and no textbooks.
Today we are going to continue to talk about idioms and specific vocabulary related to movies in English.
twice from different grammar points. I can change the tense or the person. And like that, you will learn grammar in context.
SpeakEnglishPodcast.com/podcast >
Before we start, let’s remember the 5 expressions you learned in the last episode.
Get the show on the road
Means to begin an activity or journey. To kick off a show, or kickoff
To kick off a show means to start a performance, or the first performance, among many others.
Popcorn movie It’s a movie to watch just for entertainment.
Live up to the hype
If a movie lives up to the hype, it is as good as the public anticipates.
Sell out If tickets are sold out, it means that all available tickets for a movie, concert, etc., have been sold.
Now let’s learn some new vocabulary and expressions:
To make a clown of yourself
Clowns are usually funny and entertaining people who do all sorts of things to make people laugh.
I'm scared of clowns, and I'm sure many other people are too. So, if you make a clown of yourself, you're doing something that makes people laugh unintentionally. (without meaning to.)
It means you make a mistake that makes people laugh, maybe you stutter or even forget what you were going to say.
So, we use this expression when someone appears foolish or someone who knows very little.
Examples:
1. Jack was so worried about making a clown of himself, he got so nervous that he ended up calling off his performance.
"He shouldn’t have tried to call his ex, he just made a clown of himself."
2. To be in the limelight
The expression to be in the limelight
comes from an old practice from the theater scene. Limelight was a bright white light made by heating oxygen and hydrogen and placing a piece of lime into it. It was used for stage lighting.
But what does it mean?
If you are in the limelight, you are in the public eye. Therefore, people will be interested in your personal life.
Examples:
"Tom tried avoiding the press as much as possible, but he was in the limelight all the time because of his new blockbuster movie."
"Many people love being in the limelight, but I get nervous on stage."
3. To crave the limelight
Well, we have seen what it means to be in the limelight, but let's find out when we use the expression to crave the limelight.
To crave something means to feel a strong desire for something. (or someone.)
Therefore, if you crave the limelight, it means that you really like to be the center of attention.
Celebrities, politicians, but also regular people sometimes crave the limelight.
Example:
"My friend wasn't a person who craved the limelight until her book became a bestseller. That's when she got used to the attention."
4. Break a leg
This expression comes from the world of theater. Actors were superstitious because they believed that saying "good luck" would actually bring them bad luck, so people started using the expression "break a leg" instead.
Examples:
"Break a leg!" I shouted to my brother before the beginning of the play.
"You’re so talented you don't need luck but make sure you break a leg!"
Ok, that’s it for today, but let’s first go over the expressions we have learned today.
1. To make a clown of yourself
2. To be in the limelight
3. To crave the limelight
4. Break a leg
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Now, let’s practice.
Speaking Practice
POV Story: Grammar in Context
Notice how the verbs, pronouns, and time perspective change naturally.
First version
Past Tense
I'll tell you a short story more than one time. Every time, I'll change a grammar point. I can change the tense or the person. This way, you'll notice the changes in context.
Let's start!
Tom always wanted to become an actor since he was a little child. He was an boy who enjoyed having everyone’s attention. Let’s say he craved the limelight ever since he was little.
But, his parents were skeptical and a bit nervous about Tom becoming an actor at such an early age.
One day his mom had an audition for a commercial.
Even though Tom was only three years old, she brought him with her to that audience. After 2 hours, he ran in crying and interrupted his mom during the audition.
Lucky for him, he didn’t make a clown of himself, and instead, they thought he was cute, so they offered him a commercial role. His parents tried to convince him otherwise, but Tom was determined and wanted to give it a try.
After the commercial was broadcasted on many TV channels, his parents received many calls from well-known movie production companies. Nowadays, Tom is one of the most loved and respected Hollywood stars. That’s why he’s constantly in the limelight.
Second version
Past Tense
Tom and Jack always wanted to become actors ever since they were children. They were outgoing boys who enjoyed having everyone's attention. Let's say they craved the limelight since they were little.
But, their parents were skeptical and a bit nervous about them becoming actors at such an early age.
One day their mom had an audition for a commercial. Even though Tom and Jack were only three years old, she brought them with her to that audience. After 2 hours, they both ran in crying and interrupted their mom during the audition.
Lucky for them, they didn't make a clown of themselves. Because they were very cute, they were offered a commercial role. Tom and Jack's parents tried to convince them otherwise, but the boys were determined and wanted to give it a try.
After the commercial was broadcasted on many TV channels, their parents received many calls from well-known movie production companies. Nowadays, Tom and Jack are one of the most loved and respected Hollywood stars.
That's why they are constantly in the limelight.
Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode.
Review
Vocabulary from This Episode
Review useful words and expressions before listening again.
01 crave the limelight
strongly want public attention.
02 make a clown of yourself
behave in a way that makes you look foolish.
03 give it a try
attempt something to see whether it works.
04 audition
a performance used to choose an actor.
05 commercial
an advertisement shown on television or online.
06 skeptical
not easily convinced that something is true or good.
07 broadcast
send a program by television, radio, or the Internet.
08 in the limelight
receiving a lot of public attention.
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