Crosby's 9: Recent Episodes
Drew Crosby
English from all angles. A 9-minute unusual podcast to improve your English. Enlarge your vocabulary, practice phrasal verbs and learn expressions as you improve your listening and speaking skills.
English from all angles! Learning the letters in English is no longer difficult – find out why in this episode. Also, FIX your problem with possessive questions FOREVER. Whose problem is that? It’s not yours anymore!
English from all angles! You can invest money and you can invest in yourself. But in both cases, you need to know when to take profit. What does that really mean in everyday English? Tune in to discover new words and expressions, boost your fluency, and sharpen your grammar skills with a practical look at question tags. How well do you really know them? Test yourself!
English from all angles! In this episode, learn why checks bounce, how to balance a checkbook, the balance beam with Nadia Comaneci, and what “that’s the way the ball bounces” and “no spring chicken” really mean.
English from all angles! Are you a Pacers fan? Are you going to stand under the mistletoe this holiday season? What LP did the Prince song “Kiss” appear on? Why so many questions? Because, there’s so much to learn! Don’t miss it.
English from all angles! They’re selling headphones with cables again. Everything old is new again! Listen to this episode and you’ll learn this useful expression along with a lot more. Improve your listening comprehension, build your vocabulary, perfect your pronunciation…> It’s all here, in 9 minutes.
English from all angles! Over the years, many celebrities - including Lauren Bacall and Humphrey Bogart - have tried to escape the media spotlight by eloping. Also in this episode, test your knowledge of some new vocabulary and expressions. Improve your English tremendously in only 9 minutes!
English from all angles! Quick question: How long does it take for fish (and guests) to stink? Answer: Three days. Do you agree? Tune in for more.
English from all angles! As always, Drew takes you on a 9-minute journey that will improve your English. Along with overthinking, Drew discusses Chicago’s Loop (and the origin of the word), instant replay (is it a good idea in sports?) Instant Karma (John Lennon’s song)…and more!
English from all angles! Is your English improving this summer? If not, you need to buckle down. Buckle down? Yes, it’s one of the useful phrasal verbs you’ll learn here. By the way, do you have the face you deserve? Find out!
Along with discussing tasty, nutritious, well-made and comfort foods, Drew presents the musician known as the founding father of the New Orleans sound. And don’t miss the wit of George Bernard Shaw, as well as some Awesome Advice: Remember, all news is biased. What do you think?
What do you own? Why do you own it? Is it worth owning? Drew takes a look at this concept as he teaches you new words and expressions. Also, don’t miss this episode’s Remarkable Recording, you’re going to love it! All in just 9 minutes.
Paying compliments. When was the last time you paid somebody a compliment? How did it make your feel? When did you last tell a joke that bombed? Discover more in this episode! And, don’t miss the Cool Quote and Awesome Advice sections.
Is truth stranger than fiction? Is it time to hit the road? Was the LP released to very little fanfare? Did the preacher hit the road? Tune in and find out!
In this episode, Drew bids farewell to 2024 and rings in 2025. You’ll learn these expressions along with many more. And how well do know question tags and the conditionals in English? Test yourself in this episode. Happy New Year everyone!!
In this episode, Drew looks at whether or not inauthenticity is a good thing. Faking it to make it may boost your self-esteem, but when it comes to knockoff products or counterfeit money, inauthenticity is damaging. Pretending to be real is typically disingenuous behavior.
Before branching out into telephony, Nokia made paper. Before branching out into consumer electronics, LG made face cream. Before branching out into the energy industry, Shell sold…yep, decorative shells. There’s your new phrasal verb: branch out. Tune in for a whole lot more!
In this episode, you’ll learn the word “rowdy” and the expression “off your game”. Crowds at sporting events can sometimes be disorderly and disruptive, in other words, rowdy. Rowdy crowds often put athletes off their game. Also, check out the phrasal verbs “phase in” and “phase out”. The euro was phased in as the peseta was phased out. Tons of useful English for you - as usual - so don’t miss out.
Is it fate? Is it destiny? Is it karma? Or is it simply luck? Do you believe in luck? What makes you lucky? Do have a lucky charm? What about jinxes? Are you really ready to improve your pronunciation? Well, then here we go….
Why am I asking you to repeat this? Because by doing so you’ll improve your grammar, listening comprehension and pronunciation. Give it a shot.
It’s time for action, as opposed to lounging around. It’s time for action, as opposed to loafing around. It’s time for action, as opposed to lazing around. You get the idea: “as opposed to” means “rather than” and we use it a lot in English. So, tune in and take advantage of this podcast, as opposed to missing your opportunity to improve your English.
With fewer complications and less distraction, the 70’s were pretty simple, weren’t they? Are they coming back? Tune in to find out more while you improve your English.
Spring-cleaning means deep cleaning those areas that you don’t clean on a regular basis. Hard-to-reach areas. Under the carpets. Beneath the couch. And now is the time to do it. As usual, in this podcast you’ll learn tons…expressions, pronunciation and speaking tips and new concepts and vocabulary. Don’t miss it!
It’s February, the month of love, and this year it has 29 days, making it a leap year. In this episode, Drew discusses silent letters, steak doneness (yes, “doneness” is a word!) and taking leaps of faith.
When it comes to expressions and new vocabulary, this episode is chock-full. You’ll learn “step up to the plate,” “taunting,” “go out on a limb”, “ill will”… And as regular listeners know, the key to speaking English better is by imitating Drew. Give it a shot!
Are you ready to improve your speaking and pronunciation? All you have to do is imitate Drew. Try it and you’ll see – it really does work! In this episode, Drew discusses one of his favorite Christmas decorations: popcorn garland.
The economy isn’t creating any new jobs because consumers aren’t spending any money. Consumers aren’t spending any money because the economy isn’t creating any new jobs. Ah, the vicious circle. Tune in for more! Also, how easy is it for you to tell time in English? Check it out.
Dough, through, rough, tough…Check your pronunciation of these words and include a new one into your vocabulary arsenal: trough. We also review “would” and “used to” for describing repeated actions in the past. Don’t miss it!
Hundreds of thousands of people affected by the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl left their homes in search of a better life, and Route 66 promised to take them to a land of opportunity and prosperity. Learn about the Mother Road that runs from Chicago to LA, as you practice -and improve- your English.
What are the top 10 must-see movies? Well, that’s very subjective, but Drew gives you Roger Ebert’s version right here. Check it out. Are you a big Breaking Bad fan? What are some of the series’ iconic sites in Albuquerque? You’ll find out…
Are you ready to put your listening comprehension into high gear? If so, tune in to hear more about Drew’s Route 66 adventure. Lafayette Square in St. Louis, the Cherokee Nation in Vinita, coffee beans in Clinton, barbecue in Amarillo, biscuits and gravy in Tucumcari…The story continues.
Stops along Drew’s Route 66 trip included: Chicago, St. Louis, Joplin, Clinton, Tucumcari, Albuquerque, Flagstaff, Kingman, Las Vegas and Santa Monica. In this episode, he shares highlights from his road trip from beginning to end. So, get your kicks with this, the first “chapter” of his experiences on what John Steinbeck dubbed the “Mother Road.”
Your English will get much better if you listen to Crosby’s 9. Let that sink in. Wait! What does “let that sink in” mean? Tune in and find out. By the way, what is “sync” short for? What is “decaf” short for? And “info”? What does NASA stand for? And GPS? Short for vs. stand for…check it out in this episode.
Here’s a phrasal verb you need to start using: to cut out. Question: What would happen if you cut out sugar? What would the consequences be? Tune in and find out! Drew also explains the expression, “no shirt, no shoes, no service,” among others.
By now, you’re surely good at recognizing all the “difficult” letters in English. Listen to this podcast and test yourself. Also, tune in for a simple tip on how to sound more like a native English speaker by using the interrogative structure for emphasis. And there’s practice on the conditional.
How well can you master the most important verb in the English language, to be? Drew offers a quick reminder and exercise. He also takes you through a quick review of the conditionals and teaches several useful expressions that you can start using…right now!
Quick question: what’s a “pet peeve”? Do you have any? Drew mentions a couple of his in this episode. Also, how familiar are you with the structure “there + to be” in English? Drew reminds you how important it is so…don’t forget to practice it!
Is increased crime driving away local investment? Are higher taxes driving away local residents? Learn how to use this key phrasal verb in this episode. And for the umpteenth time, Drew reminds you: imitate him and you’ll improve your speaking!
In this episode you’ll continue to improve your listening comprehension by listening to Drew speak naturally spoken English. And there’s another million-dollar question as well. Will you get it right?
Do you share strong ties with every friend you have? Do you have friendships based on weak ties? Do any spring to mind? Do you make small talk with them? Tune in and learn more! (Yes, you’ll learn the expression, “spring to mind”…).
Are you ready to take your English to the next level? BTW, how do you pronounce the contraction, “I will”? There are more pronunciation tips here, so don’t miss out! Like “ghosts.” Hmmm, that sounds scary…
In this episode, you’ll review your knowledge of question tags while you window shop. And there’s a quick test on the most famous verb of all: to be. Give it a shot!
Do you work for peanuts? Did you shell out on Christmas presents? Michael Jordan was a basketball player par excellence. Do you understand these questions? If not, you will after you listen to this episode. And remember, imitate and improve!
Your English will quickly and easily get better by simply listening to Crosby’s 9. In this episode, Drew discusses the words “hat trick”, (Mbappé scored one), “manage”, (France managed to tie the match) and “penalty shootout” (After overtime, the match went into a penalty shootout). Imitate and improve.
How do you pronounce “Christmas”? Are you pronouncing it properly? Tune in to find out. And as usual, you’ll improve your English speaking and pronunciation by simply imitating Drew. For example: Perhaps partridges prefer to perch on pair trees. Got it?
You’ll learn tons of expressions in the episode, such as “after all,” “wishful thinking,” “how about,” and a lot more. If you tune in and actively listen, you’ll be surprised by how easily your English improves.
As always, you’ll repeat, imitate and put into practice what you learn in the podcast. It’s a super easy way to improve your English. Give it a shot!
Also, you’ll work on your listening comprehension -particularly using letters- and you’ll learn two super useful expressions: “it’s all in your head” and “I’ll let it slide.” Don’t miss it!
Does shoddy workmanship bother you? Some people really can’t stand it. What about you? (Clue: shoddy = inferior). Drew delves into this topic in this episode, so tune in and not only practice your English, but IMPROVE your English! You’ll also review the very useful modal verb “might.”
Question: Do you need to grind ground coffee? Not sure? Tune in! And regarding letters, don’t confuse the “g” with the “j.” Also, Drew reminds you how to improve your pronunciation of the letter “s.”
Once again, Drew gives you the key to becoming a better English speaker: imitate him. Here, he discusses the business concepts of creative destruction and disruption through the use of two common expressions: making waves and rocking the boat.
Some people believe that achieving success through hard work is for losers. Intuition, they argue - or winging it - is the key to success. Have we reached the point where success through hard work is looked down upon? Also, get ready to REALLY improve your speaking and pronunciation because this podcast is all about repeat, repeat, repeat. Don’t miss it!
Downloading, uploading, checking, scanning, swiping…Isn’t social media a big waste of time? Probably not, as long as you don’t go overboard. Are you familiar with the term “to go overboard?” You will be after this podcast!
Drew reminds you of two key tips in order to easily and correctly pronounce words in English. Also, how well can you form question tags? Test yourselves in this episode.
How do you pronounce the “z” in English? Here’s a refresher. In fact, you’re really going to practice your letters in this podcast. You’ll also learn the (slightly rude) expression, “zip it,” and -as usual- there are lots of new words to add to your vocabulary “arsenal.”
Quick! Which one is the synonym for “accustomed to?” “Use to” or “used to?” You’ll get the lowdown here. (Lowdown? You’ll have to look that one up!) Also, test your knowledge of the conditionals and learn whether or not it’s a good idea to show the boss up.
Drew will also have you on the edge of your seat -yes; you’ll learn this expression- as he offers you his regular dose of tips for pronunciation and speaking, along with useful vocabulary and expressions for your everyday English. Don’t miss it!
How do you pronounce “hire?” Is it a noun? Tune in and you’ll be surprised. Also, we review the phrasal verb “to dress up.” Of course we dress up for Halloween, but is it normal to dress up for work? Lastly, fix your pronunciation of the word “athlete” forever.
Quick! How many syllables does the word “criticism” have? Four. Did you get it right? Remember, the suffix “ism” has two syllables. Listen to this episode for some good practice. Drew also discusses the meaning of “poetic license.” Don’t miss it!
Are you still struggling with recognizing certain letters in English? Tune in for a trick that’ll help you out. Question: Is it C-y-n-d-i or C-i-n-d-y? You’ll “see…”
C – a – p – p – e – d…how do you pronounce this word? What does it mean? DO YOU WRITE IN ALL CAPS? Nobody likes drinking flat Coca-Cola, right? So cap the bottle!
Question: how to you pronounce the word “upset” in the following sentences? (Hint: the verb is pronounced differently from the noun). The 49ers upset the Packers and the Bengals upset the Titans. Two incredible upsets took place in the NFL yesterday. Tune in and find out!
Quick! What do the words furniture, nature and mature have in common? Do they sound similar? Tune in and find out.
How familiar are you with the conditionals in English? How about a quick review? Tune in and test your knowledge. Also, repeat what Drew says and watch your speaking skills skyrocket.
Hear about snow, sledding, ornaments, luminarias, caroling, reindeer…(flying reindeer) and learn the phrasal verbs “hand down” and “die out.” What do you think? Is Christmas caroling dying out?
My desk doubles as a table. The chairman currently doubles as the CEO. Are you familiar with the verb “to double as”? Which legendary guitarist was killed in a tragic accident that occurred at a ski resort that doubles as a music venue? Tune in and find out.
Is there any bad blood between you and someone else? If so, why? What happened? Not sure? Tune in and find out. Also, when is it a good time to take a chill pill?
Style is used in writing, fashion, decoration, music and design -as in mid-century design- which Drew discusses here.
In this episode you’ll learn the word “thyme” along with the differences between “to endorse” and “to sponsor”. Also, check out the expression, “to make a stink over something” and find out who has replaced Charlie Watts.
What defines a hometown? Are you from the city or the suburbs? C’mon, tell the truth…Tune in and learn more…English! “She was born in Indianapolis, Indiana.” Repeat it and improve your speaking and pronunciation.
Get ready to learn a ton of new phrasal verbs in this episode. And remember, if you imitate…simply imitate Drew, your speaking will improve. Magic!
The song Shake, Rattle and Roll forms part of the roots of rock and roll; when rock and roll was looked down upon. Learn the idiom “look down upon” -and many more- in this episode.
In this episode you’ll learn a lot of English when looking at the history of the circus. Expressions include “glory days,” “to have a blast” and “wheeler dealer.”
across the board = at every level. Listen to Crosby’s 9 podcasts and you’ll notice a considerable improvement in your English language skills across the board.
In this episode, not only will you learn about resilience (while you improve your English), you’ll also learn about grit and about being born on easy street. Vein, vane and vain. What’s the difference? Tune in and find out.
Crosby’s 9 podcasts help you increase your agility in learning English. How well do you know the conditionals? Test your knowledge in this podcast.
Power plays in sports and business, flower power, power to the people…Drew provides you with a solid set of expressions and new vocabulary to complement your English. Check it out!
In this episode you’ll learn the expressions, “beggars can’t be choosers,” “I beg your pardon” and “pick up where you left off” – and as always, a lot more!
Knock, knock…Who’s there? Opportunity. In this episode, you’ll learn the expression “opportunity knocks.” And, as usual, a whole lot more!
In the Roaring 20’s, people flocked to the bars and restaurants (and to the stock market too). And of course everybody was out kicking up their heels. Tune in to learn this expression (kick up your heels) and a lot more!
Join our league! What’s the lure? Money. The payout would be huge. The Super League proposal is not unprecedented. In the USA, the merger between the AFL and the NFL created a “super league” and brought about the Super Bowl.
Tape, glue, paste…Sticky subjects and tacky people. This podcast takes a closer took. Drew also discusses the verb “to teethe”. Don’t miss it!
Remember to imitate what Drew says: it helps to properly shape your lips and mouth for improved pronunciation – and better speaking skills too!
So, what does it take to learn English? Does it take time? Does it take hard work? Does it take money? Drew explains what it takes in this episode. Don’t miss it!
One day you might look back on this episode and laugh. Why? Listen in and you’ll find out. Also, the secret to pronouncing “we’ll.”
With this, the 100th Episode of Crosby’s 9, there’s a special announcement. And remember, take action now with your English – “there’s no time like the present.” Learn this expression and many more as you improve your listening comprehension and speaking skills with Crosby’s 9.
In this episode, Drew looks at the expression “anything goes,” which means that there aren’t any rules for the way people act or dress or think…In other words, anything is acceptable. What do you think? Have we reached a time when anything goes?
Have your ever taken a crash course? Do crash courses work for learning English? (What do you think, really?) In this episode, Drew discusses the secret to learning English once and for all.
Some people may go on a retreat to find themselves, get inspiration, bond with workmates or simply take a break from the hustle and bustle.
To live up to = to be as good as what was promised or expected. What do you think? Did this year’s Super Bowl live up to the hype? Does it ever live up to it? Listen in and find out!
Stay on top of your conditionals in English! Drew offers you a quick review and reminds you how to use “to tell the difference.” Can you tell the difference between brand name products and private label products?
Is it a school? A movement? A group? It’s all of that and none of it. It’s simply…the new wave. Can you think of a new wave that’s taking place today?
Practice your pronunciation through imitation: former, farmer and firmer. Give it a shot! And remember: carrot and carat are pronounced exactly the same. The former is a vegetable and the latter is a unit of measurement.
Are you having trouble speaking in English? Do you feel that your pronunciation could be better? Simply imitate Drew in these podcasts and watch what happens.
We also look at the verb “to face.” Which direction does your residence face? North? East? Which direction are you facing as you read this?
Do you want to quickly improve your speaking and pronunciation skills? Imitate Drew – you’ll see that it really works.
How important is the “s” in English? Tons! Tune in for a reminder. Also, learn the verb “to bring in” –as in “to bring in the New Year.” And don’t’ forget the verb “to toast.” Do you toast when you bring in the New Year? Cheers!
English from all angles! Also in this episode: the difference between “look out” vs. “watch out;” “take out” vs. “take away” and “dine in” vs. “dine out.”
English from all angles! A box office smash is a movie that grosses a lot of money. Not sure what “gross” means? Tune in to find out. Also in this episode: the boxer (athlete), the boxer (engine), The Boxer (song) and the boxer (dog).
English from all angles! You’ll learn the expressions “to go through the roof,” and “don’t burst my bubble,” – put these into practice and prove you master English! Also, chewing gum and bubble gum…pop! Tune in, because it’s not what you’re thinking.
English from all angles! What’s the word for a large group of fish? And birds? And wolves? And elephants? Also, repeat this and speak English better: What happens if a black cat crosses your path? Listen in and find out how.
English from all angles! Are you spending more than you’re earning? Then it’s probably time to tighten your belt. Remember, “titan” and “tighten” are pronounced exactly the same – check out more pronunciation tips in this episode. Also, test whether or not you master the conditional in English. All of this in Episode 84.
English from all angles! Has anyone ever strung you along? When you found out, did you tell them to go fly a kite? In this episode, you’ll learn how to recognize and use these expressions, along with the phrasal verb “to buy out.”
English from all angles! M&M’s, H&M, A&W, Dolce & Gabbana, Ben & Jerry’s…all of these brands use the ampersand (&) symbol. Find out more about the ampersand while you have fun practicing your English with Drew.
English from all angles! In this episode you’ll learn the verb “to honk” and the expression “thorn in your side”. People in this city are constantly honking their horns; it’s a real thorn in my side. Also, learn the differences among the words silverware, dinnerware, drinkware, tableware and flatware.
English from all angles! Question: Are you saying “o’clock” when you really mean “on the dot” or “sharp”? Remember, the term “o’clock” doesn’t have anything to do with being punctual. Also in this episode, learn pronunciation subtleties through the use of the words “push” and “tush” and “rush” and “hush,” along with their meanings.
English from all angles! When buying a new car, do you order a lot of options? Which boxes do you typically tick? Do watches tick? Is your watch wound? Have you ever been wounded? Not sure what all this means? Tune in to find out while you also practice and improve your English.
English from all angles. Special vocabulary in this episode includes the verbs to flip-flop and to pander…and see if you can guess the riddle!
English from all angles! Why not give it a shot? C’mon…go for it! Stranger things have happened. Are you having problems pronouncing words that begin with “s”? Not anymore! Listen to this episode and fix it now.
English from all angles! Have you ever wondered what the difference is between “edge” and “rim”? You’ll get the definitive answer here. And remember...Don’t cry over spilled milk! Learn the expression in this episode.
English from all angles! People can be dull (so liven up!), knives can be dull (so sharpen them!) and food can be bland (so season it!). Familiarize yourself with these terms (and a whole lot more), in this – the 75th episode.
English from all angles! Quick! What’s the difference between “shareholder” and “stakeholder”? Not sure? In Episode 74, Drew explains it once and for all. Tune in and also learn the difference between “stock” and “share”.
English from all angles! Are you running around like a chicken with its head cut off? Drew explains how the Pareto Principle, aka the 80/20 Rule, has helped him simplify his life. Tune in and discover how.
English from all angles! Sugar Bowl, Orange Bowl, Cotton Bowl, Fiesta Bowl…and the Rose Bowl – the stadium that gave the name to a championship football game. Remember the UHF and rabbit ear antennas? Drew discusses this as he describes what it was like watching soccer on TV in the US in the early 80’s.
English from all angles! Improve your listening comprehension as you build vocabulary and gain fluency in English. Simply tune in!
English from all angles! Tune in and learn the phrasal verb “to come across” and the expressions “beg to differ” and “off the beaten track”. The more you listen, the more you learn.
English from all angles! To google means to look something up online. You can google words, people, dates and much more – without using Google! Listen in and find out how google became a word while you practice and learn tons of English. All in 9 minutes!
English from all angles! To heat up = to become intense. > There are many riots and protests taking place in the US; things are heating up. To crack down (on) = to take strong measures against bad/illegal behavior. > The police are cracking down on looting. To cool down = to become less intense. > Fewer revolts demonstrate that the situation is starting to cool down.
English from all angles! Do you wear cufflinks? Do you roll up your sleeves? Do you roll down the windows when it’s hot? Do you prefer links or patties? Not quite sure? Listen to EP 67 to double-check.
English from all angles! Change forms part of chaos just as it does to courage. Listen and learn how artists like David Bowie, Sam Cooke and Michael Jackson expressed their views of change. And tune in so you can review the four types of conditional sentences.
English from all angles! In this episode you’ll learn the expressions “to sugar coat something,” “to take something with a grain of salt,” and “fat chance.” And as usual, Drew gives you tips on how to easily improve your speaking and pronunciation.
English from all angles! Are you familiar with the phrasal verb “figure out?” What happens when the Internet goes down and you’re working from home? Most likely you’re the one (and not the IT department) who will have to figure it out (in other words, resolve the issue yourself). Learn the expressions “to climb the walls,” and “social climbing,” along with other uses of the word “climb.” And more.
English from all angles! Learn the subtle difference between “country” and “countryside,” what “caddie” (or “caddy”) means, what “dues” are and what an “oath” is. All in 9 minutes.
English from all angles! Also in this episode, learn the words “résumé and “to resume.” For example, if somebody interrupted you while you were writing your résumé you’ll have to go back and continue to write it. In other words, you’ll have to resume writing your résumé.
English from all angles! A “cutoff” is a point or a level where something stops. It’s a date or a period of time when something stops. For example: Apply now and hurry! The cutoff is May 30th. Also in this episode, learn the concept of eligibility and how it refers to the word “cutoff”.
English from all angles! Do you keep your feelings to yourself, or do you easily open up? To open up, in terms of emotions, means to release or freely express your feelings. Also, learn the meaning and origin of the expression “to open up a can of worms” and the difference between to open vs. to open up and to close vs. to close down.
English from all angles! Speaking of “missing,” when did the Rolling Stones’ song Miss You come out? It was 1978. Learn what a “concession stand” is (hint, think hot dogs, ice cream and pop), and why it reminds Drew of that song. And remember; never be afraid to make mistakes when you speak English!
English from all angles! Practice the expression “to star in”. Who starred in A Star is Born? That depends on which version we’re talking about. Kris Kristofferson and Barbra Streisand starred in the 1976 version, and Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga starred in the 2018 version.
English from all angles! He also discusses the concept of “settling for less,” which is a willingness to accept mediocrity, lowered standards or unambitious objectives. Never settle for less – aim high! Additional expressions in this episode include “to settle the score” “settle up” and “settle down.”
English from all angles! In this episode you’ll learn slang terms for the word “jail”; the expressions “to tell a tall tale” and “snail mail” and what happens when it hails. And even more.
English from all angles! Some people think that learning English is a piece of cake. Let me set the record straight: learning English requires a lot effort, but it’s worth it. Along with “set the record straight,” learn “track record” and the phrasal verb “to put down.”
English from all angles! A tag is a small piece of paper, metal or cloth that contains information and is typically used for identifying something. Price tags identify how much something costs; dog tags identify the dog’s name and include the owner’s telephone number. Tag is also a children’s game. You know how to play tag, don’t you? You’re it!
English from all angles! So, is it “yard” or “garden”? It depends. You barbecue in the backyard and you have yard sales in the front (yard); you grow vegetables in the garden. And you can weed both the yard as well as the garden.
English from all angles! Regarding the use of “cup to tea,” we use this expression to talk about something we find pleasing or something that we prefer: “I bought you a novel because I know that fiction is your cup of tea.” Or, “Going to the opera is really not my cup of tea.”
English from all angles! To be cooped up means to be confined to a small, restricted space. The classic example involves chickens, which are typically cramped together and raised in small cages called…coops. A cabin is a small house in the wild with very little space. Imagine being cooped up for a long time in a cabin. You’d get…”cabin fever.” Cabin fever is a term we use to describe irritable feelings you get when having to spend too much time indoors.
English from all angles! We use modal verbs in the past tense to talk about hypothetical situations in the past. Could have: I could’ve gone if I hadn’t gotten sick. Would have: I would’ve passed the exam if I had studied more. Should have: “I should’ve called you when I arrived…but I didn’t. Sorry!”
English from all angles! Drew also reminds you of the trick for pronouncing the letter “v” and tells you how you can use the word “would” to explain repetitive actions in the past.
English from all angles! Drew picks up where he left off from the previous podcast and explains the expression “to scrape the surface,” along with the word “scrap.” He also discusses various uses of the word “hop” (a high school dance), “bunny hop” (a bicycle manoeuvre), and “hop in,” (what to say to someone when you offer them a car ride).
English from all angles! Despite having studied for years, many English language learners still don’t pronounce the “s” for verbs in the present tense for the third person singular. Why continue making the same mistake over and over? Put your concentration and willpower to work so that you can overcome this - right now! Also in this episode, the expressions “out of the blue” and “feeling blue.”
English from all angles! When you get tears in your eyes because you’re experiencing strong emotions, you are tearing up. And when you destroy paper or fabric by pulling it into pieces, you are tearing it up. I did both when I received a very cruel letter from my (now) ex-girlfriend. First I teared up while reading it and then I tore it up.
English from all angles! Drew reminds listeners how they can easily learn new vocabulary and expressions. Additionally, he highlights the importance of mastering the affirmative, negative and interrogative forms in all verb tenses (especially “to be”).
English from all angles! To drain means to empty or remove a liquid. For example, when you empty water from a tank, you are draining the tank. And a “brain drain” is when highly skilled, intelligent workers leave their own country in order to find work and opportunities in another.
English from all angles! The past tenses and participles of verbs such as crush, chop and slice -which are regular verbs and end in a “d”- are pronounced like a “t” because the infinitives of these verbs end in a sound that’s non-vocalized. In other words, when we only use air –and not our voice- to make the last sound of the infinitive, the endings in the past and participle sound like a “t.” Crushed garlic. Chopped onions. Sliced tomatoes. Drew also teaches the expression “flat as a pancake,” and explains the meaning of “dice.” And he also reminds listeners of the word for a written document that gives instructions on how to cook a particular dish. Do you remember? Listen and find out!
English from all angles! Once again, Drew delivers his practical style of providing pronunciation and spelling tips -along with useful vocabulary and phrasal verbs- in a unique and informational manner. This allows Crosby’s 9 listeners to effectively improve their listening and speaking skills so that they can communicate in English with confidence.
English from all angles! Drew discusses how “going against the grain” is an example of rejecting what’s considered to be the dominant trend, known as the mainstream. He also presents the expression “going with your gut,” -which means to follow your instinct- and he explains why going against the grain and going with your gut are so important when making important decisions in life.
English from all angles! “Eve” is also a woman’s name, as cited in the Bible and referring to Adam’s wife. And it appears in the title of a famous film starring Bette Davis, “All About Eve,” which won 6 Academy Awards in 1951.
English from all angles! We use the expression “wishful thinking” when you really want something to happen, but you know it probably won’t. “I hope I win the lottery, but I know that’s wishful thinking.”
English from all angles! In this episode, Drew gives two tips on how to avoid mispronouncing words and explains why so many people never fix pronunciation problems. Also, learn how stressing different syllables of the same word distinguishes it from being either a noun or a verb.
English from all angles! “Drive” is energy; it’s determination. If you have a lot drive then you have a strong desire to accomplish goals. The verb “fuel,” which means to provide something with the substance in order make it happen, is frequently used with the word “drive.” What fuels your drive?
English from all angles! Drew stresses just how useful these podcasts are for not only improving your listening comprehension, but enlarging your vocabulary, correcting grammar mistakes and perfecting your pronunciation. Also, listen for tips on how to spell words and identify what initials stand for.
English from all angles! Have you ever papered a wall? Written a paper? Bought a paper? Broken paper? (No! You can’t break paper, but you can tear it). Listen carefully to this episode and incorporate these useful words into your English vocabulary right now.
English from all angles! If you lose your cat, you offer a reward to the person who finds it. If you win the lottery, you receive a prize known as the jackpot. And many associations and academies, such as the Country Music Association and the Motion Picture Academy, give awards to actors, actresses and musicians as recognition for their commendable performances.
English from all angles! Cast = the group of actors in a film. Matt Damon and Christian Bale are two cast members in the new movie Ford v Ferrari. Cast = a rigid covering used for immobilizing a broken bone. The doctor put a cast on her broken wrist. Listen to this podCAST and learn more!
English from all angles! In this, the 32nd podcast, Drew stresses the importance of knowing the ordinal numbers in English. Once you’ve mastered them, you can show off by correctly using them. It’s something that few non-native English speakers can do well. Also, Van Morrison has released a new album, proving that he hasn’t faded away.
English from all angles! “Being in the know,” means that you have a certain edge; a certain advantage over others because of what you know. It’s information you have that others don’t. If you understand how to correctly use forms of “used to,” “usually” and “to be used to” as Drew explains in this episode, you’ll be in the know.
English from all angles! If you take the time to truly learn just a couple of new words every week, your ability to effectively communicate in English will skyrocket. How? By using them in every day scenarios. The more often you use the words and expressions that Drew presents in this podcast, the sooner you will learn and retain them…forever.
English from all angles! Listeners learn how to use the expression “to come up with” as well as the words “dawn” and “dusk” while they discover how insects like crickets and beetles (and not necessarily grasshoppers and cockroaches) played a part in early rock and roll.
English from all angles! Most listeners will be familiar with the word “dealer.” It’s a word that’s used throughout the world in the fields of business and casinos, among others, where deals are made and cards are dealt.
English from all angles! If you’re a runner and you’re training for a marathon, you need endurance. Endurance is similar to perseverance – athletic perseverance, in this case. If you’re going to succeed, you’ll have to endure hardships and setbacks. Without endurance, it’s practically impossible to keep long-term commitments.
English from all angles! Pacing yourself while you learn English means setting goals that you can realistically attain. Think of yourself as a marathon runner. You need to set your own pace -not that of others- so that you can perform to your best ability. Like a pace car in an automobile race, it’s all about keeping the right rhythm and maintaining order - especially under difficult circumstances.
English from all angles! You may know the noun “pool,” but what about the verb “pool?” When you combine money or resources you are pooling them; in other words, you are putting them together for better use. Energy-conscious commuters save fuel by pooling passengers (carpooling) and avid football fans hope to hit the jackpot by pooling money (offices pools).