if the PHRASE fits

if the PHRASE fits

by Brian Foden

Language Learning History

if the PHRASE fits: A Numbers Game - Origins of idioms with a number in them.

Learn about the reasons why we say the following phrases: Catch-22 / Behind the eight ball/ On cloud nine/ Six of one, half a dozen of the other/ A dime a dozen

Food for Thought: Origins and meanings of 5 expressions with a food or beverage in them.

Learn about why we say several interesting idioms related to food and drinks: A piece of cake; Take the cake; Go bananas; Don't cry over spilt milk; Spill the beans. A fun, interesting and humorous look at the history of idioms and phrases.

A Word to the Wise: Meanings and origins of phrases about being careful

Learn about the history of five very common expressions related to caution in this entertaining and informative podcast: Better safe than sorry; Don't count your chickens before they hatch; Don't put all your eggs in one basket; Skate on thin ice; Play with fire

The Colors of Your Life: The origins of Idioms with colors in them

An entertaining, interesting, and informative podcast about English expressions featuring a different color in each one: See red; Green with envy; Be or feel blue; White lie, and Brown-nose. Great for native speakers who want to know more about the #history of the #English language as well as upper-intermediate to advanced #ESL learners.

Body Part Idioms: Origins and meanings of famous expressions that include various parts of the body

Discover the mysteries that the English language holds about the following idioms: Play it by ear; Heart of gold; An arm and a leg; Break a leg; See eye to eye. This #podcast is great for native speakers who love the #English language and its #history and for upper-intermediate to advanced #ESL learners.

Angry Words: Origins and meanings of idioms expressing anger and frustration!

Learn the interesting origins of 5 phrases about the powerful emotion of anger: Blow a fuse; Have a short fuse; Hit the Roof; Make one's blood boil, and Go ballistic. And yes, there are some exploding sound effects in this #podcast! Great for native speakers who love the #English language and its #history and for upper-intermediate to advanced #ESL learners.

Origins of Expressions Related to Gambling

Check out the origin stories and meanings of the following gambling expressions on Episode 6 of "if the PHRASE Fits": Beat the odds; Poker face; Luck of the draw; When the chips are down, and Roll the dice. Great for native English speakers and upper-intermediate to advanced English learners!

It Takes all Kinds of People: 5 idioms to describe individuals

In this episode, I look at 5 expressions related to describing people: Pain in the neck/ Cold fish/ Couch potato/ Movers & Shakers/ Smart Cookie. This #podcast is designed for native speakers who love the #English language and its colorful #history and upper-intermediate to advanced #ESL learners. Take a fun stroll through the history of the English language or use it to build your English #vocabulary.

If the PHRASE fits: origins and meanings of English idioms, proverbs, and other phrases

In episode 4 of this entertaining podcast, learn about the origins and meanings of the following phrases: Jump the Gun; Stick to Your Guns; Bite the Bullet; Shoot Down, and Shoot Yourself in the Foot (ouch!). Great for native speakers who love the English language and upper-intermediate to advanced English learners. If you like it, please follow or subscribe.

if the PHRASE fits -Ep. 3 English expressions based on animals

The English language is full of phrases related to all kinds of creatures, great and small, the cute and cuddly ones, and the not-so nice ones, too. Learn about the origins and uses of the following expressions: Don’t Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth/ Hold Your Horses/ Birds of a Feather Flock Together/ Kill Two Birds with One Stone/Pig out

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