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Five Idioms in a Builder English Vocabulary that You Can Learn Here

jump to story buttonA good builder English vocabulary will have words and phrases that are commonly used, and expressive.  I studied Japanese idioms in particular because the meanings are not clear sometimes, and they are fun to use. You can study idioms, too, in English.

Words

A great place to start for English vocabulary is the list of the top 500 most common words in English.  You can find that list here. Or another list here.
To really learn these words, you must hear them and say them.  

Begin by writing out sentences with words from these lists that you don't know yet. Read them aloud and record this.  Then listen to the recording and repeat the sentences.  This really works well, if you practice daily.

Next, if you find a some words that are hard to learn, find what otehr words they collocate with.  Now you can make new sentences for your practice.  Draw pictures of the sentences, too for even more effective study.

Phrases

For the five idioms in the story below, listening and reading are good obvious ways to start studying.  But reading and listening alone are not enough.  Let's use the creative side of our brains.

On a small card or piece of paper, draw a picture that represents the meaning of the idiom you want to remember.  The first idiom in our list is 'that's flat'.  Perhaps a picture of a man talking to another man, with an angry face, slamming his hand down flat on the desk, saying "NO!"

Your pictures will be easier to remember than if I make pictures for you, so you must make your own.  Then look at the pictures every time you review the story or listen to it. This really works well, if you practice daily.

Have fun studying (and making funny pictures)!

Taking Sides

Idioms list
1. that's flat: that's final, there is to be no more discussion or argument
2. take sides:  to support a particular group or person etc against another, not to remain neutral
3. like the wind:  very quickly
4. a different kettle of fish:  something completely different
5. worried sick:  extremely anxious and worried 

taking sides





Click on the sound bar below to hear the story slowly.




Aaliyah is a very intimidating woman.  She can change her mind like the wind.  Her husband knows this and he treats her with respect.  She does not like to take sides.  Her husband asked her for her opinion about a problem in the town, and she said "I will not comment, that's flat!"  Then the town leader came and asked for her opinion, and that was a different kettle of fish.  Her husband is worried sick, because he doesn't know what she said to the leader.  Aaliyah is a very intimidating woman.

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