SOUND LIKE A PRO | Mastering Everyday English Idioms

Hey, today I want to help you sound like an English pro.

You know what I mean?

I want you to walk into any room and speak with confidence.

So in this lesson, I am going to teach you 10 English idioms that

will help you sound like a pro.

Are you ready?

Well, then I'm teacher Tiffani.

Let's jump right in.

Alright.

The very first English idiom you need to know in order to sound like a pro is.

Hit the road good or beat after me one more time hit the road Now

you're probably thinking to yourself, Tiff, why am I hitting the road?

Don't worry.

I'm going to explain it to you.

This is actually referring to traveling.

So hit the road.

It actually means to embark or start on a journey.

I want you to think about when you were younger and you and your family

would go on vacation, maybe your mother and your father would wake you

up early in the morning and say, Hey, I need you to get up, pack your bags.

We need to hit the road.

We need to go.

We need to start on our journey.

Makes sense.

Right?

All right.

Check out these examples sentences.

Here we go.

The first one, we need to hit the road early tomorrow.

If we want to avoid traffic.

Hey, listen, there's going to be a lot of traffic.

Many people will be traveling tomorrow.

So we need to hit the road early.

You got it.

Excellent.

All right, here we go.

Sentence number two.

After months of planning, it's finally time to hit the road and

explore the countryside, it's finally time for us to embark on our trip.

It makes sense.

It's so funny.

As I was reading the example, as it is to you, I was thinking about one of my goals,

one of my favorite things to do is travel.

And on my bucket list, I have go on a road trip around America.

So I can't wait until I can say, let's hit the road for my road trip around America.

Maybe you've done that before.

Here we go.

Next one.

Sentence number three, the band members packed their instruments and hit

the road for their nationwide tour.

They hit the road.

They started on their journey.

Makes sense.

Right now that you understand the meaning, you can see how

easy it is to use this idiom.

You got it.

All right, let's move on to number two, before I show you number

two, I need to remind you, I am teaching you these idioms, right?

To help you sound like a pro, but after you watch this lesson, you need

to practice what you're learning.

So don't forget to go to the English with Tiffani app.

You can download the app.

Totally for free, and you'll be able to practice what you're learning.

You'll have a quiz.

You'll be able to put the sentences together.

You'll practice what I'm teaching you and really sound like a pro.

So the link is in the description, or you can go right to your cell phone and you

can download the English with Tiffani app.

All right, so let's move on to the second idiom.

The second idiom is another good one that I like it is.

Take off good again, take off.

Excellent.

Now this is also referring to travel and it just means to depart

or leave, especially by plane.

This is the key.

I want you to remember this.

Normally when native English speakers say take off, we are

referring to taking off in a plane.

I just got back from South Korea.

Stay till the end for story time.

And I'll tell you about that trip.

But I remember when I was sitting in the plane and I could hear the stewardess

talking about, uh, Hey everyone, we need you to put your seat belts on.

We need you to please sit down and be safe.

Why?

Because we are about to take off.

You got it.

All right.

Check out this example sentence.

Here we go.

Our flight is scheduled to take off in one hour, so we should head to the airport.

Now here's the second sentence.

The plane took off smoothly despite the stormy weather.

You know, when you're on a plane, sometimes it can start

off a little bit shaky, right?

I actually had, there was a lady sitting next to me when we were

actually in the plane and I could tell that she was a little bit nervous.

So we started talking and she said, I really don't like

when planes land and take off.

It just makes me feel uncomfortable.

Maybe that's your situation as well.

You don't like when planes take off because they feel a little

bit uncomfortable take off.

All right, here we go.

Last example, sentence.

It's always exciting to take off on a new adventure and explore unknown places.

Notice I said the majority of the time we are speaking about taking off in a plane.

However, you can also use it in this situation, take off,

start, depart on a new adventure.

You got it.

Excellent.

So number two is take off again, use these idioms to sound like

a pro speaking English fluently.

All right.

The third one, number three is on the road.

Good again on the road.

Great job.

You're kind of seeing a pattern, right?

Something dealing with travel.

Exactly.

I'm going to make you a pro.

Here we go.

This just means.

Traveling or away from home.

For example, I mentioned that I was in South Korea a few weeks ago, right?

I was on the road.

I was away.

I wasn't home.

So if you travel for work, maybe you have to leave your family for a week

at a time, or maybe a month at a time.

If someone asks you, Hey, how are you?

Where are you right now?

You could say I'm doing great, but I'm actually on the road.

I'm going to return home next week on the road again, traveling or away from home.

You got it.

Oh, you're smart.

Here we go.

First example, sentence.

I'm constantly on the road for work, visiting different cities every week.

I'm constantly on the road for work.

Next we have sentence two, they had to spend several nights on the road.

During their cross country trip.

Now in this situation, they might have literally be staying, been staying on

the side of the road, maybe camping, or maybe staying at various hotels on

their way to their final destination.

And finally, sentence number three, being on the road can be tiring,

but it's also an opportunity to see new places and meet new people.

You got it.

Excellent.

All right.

So number three, again, On the road.

And remember, I'm explaining these to you because I want you to start

using them today to sound like a pro number four, catch a red eye.

Good again, catch a red eye.

Good.

Now I know you're probably wondering, Tiffani catch a red eye.

My eye is red.

What, what does this mean?

Now, remember I said, we're talking about idioms related to traveling, right?

Catch a red eye.

This literally just means to take a late night or overnight flight, a

late night or an overnight flight.

Think about it when you're super tired, when it's late at night,

what happens to your eyes?

What happens to your eyes?

Normally they start looking a certain way and some people actually get red

eyes when they're extremely tired.

Ah, you're making the connection, right?

So if you take a late flight or an overnight flight, you're

extremely tired, walking up to show your, your ticket to the person

at the counter, catch a red eye.

Makes sense.

All right, good.

Here we go.

Sentence number one.

Okay.

We had to catch a red eye flight to attend the early morning conference.

Hey, it was late, but we had to catch a red eye flight because we had to

go to the early morning conference.

Sentence number two.

She was exhausted from catching a red eye flight and barely slept on the plane.

And finally, they decided to catch a red eye to arrive at

their destination in the morning.

They decided to catch this overnight flight or a late flight.

Catch a red eye.

You got it.

All right.

Number four, catch a red eye.

Now we're moving to number five again, so that you can sound like a pro.

Number five is travel light.

Good again, after me travel light.

Great job.

Now, again, we're still talking about traveling.

Traveling light.

What does this mean?

This literally is just speaking about traveling with only a

minimal amount of belongings.

Instead of six, seven, eight suitcases, you only have one small suitcase,

maybe three or four shirts, two pair of pants, one pair of shoes you're

traveling light, not bringing too many things in English, we say.

Travel light makes sense right now.

I wonder, do you travel light or not?

Here we go.

Sentence number one, we decided to travel light and only brought a backpack.

Hey, this time we don't want to bring too many things.

We want to travel.

Sentence number two, she prefers to travel light so that she can quickly

move from one place to another and sentence number three, traveling

light allows us to be more flexible and spontaneous during our trips.

You got it.

Excellent.

So again, number five is travel light.

What about number six, number six, another good one off the beaten track.

Good again, after me off the beaten track.

Excellent.

All right.

Now this literally just means.

In a less common or well known place.

All right.

I want you to imagine a track, right?

There's one direction, right?

Think about runners on a track.

They're running in the same direction, the same path.

Normally when people travel, Hey, let's go to the tourist attractions.

Let's go to the same places that everyone else goes to the Eiffel

tower, all of these things, for example, if you're going to Paris.

That normal people are commonly go to right, but then suddenly,

Hey, I heard there's a spot that many people don't go to.

It's not a real popular tourist attraction, but the

locals like going there.

Let's go off the beaten track.

You got it.

Excellent.

All right, here's sentence.

Number one, they love to go off the beaten track to find hidden

gems and less crowded attractions.

Sentence number two, the small VI village they visited was off the beaten track, but

offered an authentic cultural experience.

And finally, instead of visiting popular tourist destinations, they

decided to go off the beaten track and discover unique locations.

It makes sense, right?

Again.

Off the beaten track.

Now we're going to move on to number seven, but I need to remind

you, you're learning these idioms.

Please start using them.

You can, yes, you, my friend, you can sound like a pro start using these today.

Here's number seven.

Make a pit stop again, make a pit stop.

Good last time after me.

Make a pit stop.

Excellent.

Now this just means to stop briefly during a journey, usually to rest or refuel.

Imagine you're going on a trip, you have twins in the back, they're four years old.

You're sitting in the front and you're speaking with your spouse and

the kids are screaming in the back.

You're hungry, they're hungry, someone has to go to the bathroom.

Hey, hey, hey, let's make a pit stop.

We can rest, we can get some gas and everyone will be fine.

Everyone will be okay.

Everyone will rest.

Let's make a pit stop.

Make sense.

All right, good.

Let's make a pit stop.

Here we go.

First example, sentence.

We need to make a pit stop to refill the car's gas tank and grab a quick snack.

Next sentence, number two, during the long road trip, they made

a pit stop at a scenic spot to stretch their legs and take photos.

And finally, it's important to make regular pit stops during a road trip to

prevent fatigue and enjoy the journey.

You got it.

Excellent.

We say again, make a pit stop.

Here we go number eight, number eight, another good one, jet lag,

good again, jet lag, excellent.

Now I just got back from South Korea.

Korea is between 13 and 14 hours ahead of America.

So day there is night here and day here is night there.

So when I went to Korea again.

I was completely on the opposite side of my regular schedule.

Normally what happens when you travel far away, you get jet lag.

Your body is confused.

This is referring to fatigue and disorientation caused by traveling

across multiple time zones.

Your body doesn't know what time it is.

So you experience this feeling of jet lag.

Where am I?

What time is it?

You get tired when it's daytime and you're up at night.

So check out these example sentences.

Here we go.

It took them a few days to recover from the jet lag after their long flight.

Next jet lag can make it difficult to adjust to a new time zone

and also disrupt sleep patterns.

And finally, to minimize jet lag, it's important to stay hydrated and

gradually adjust your sleep schedule.

Makes sense.

All right.

Excellent.

So again, number eight, we have jet lag.

Very good.

All right.

Number nine, again, for you to sound like a pro we have off.

The grid could again off the grid Great job.

Now this just refers to being in a remote isolated or disconnected

location, often without modern amenities, we all have cell phones.

Well, the majority of people have cell phones, computers, televisions.

We're connected to other people, but when you go off the grid.

Maybe you're camping, no cell service.

Maybe you're not able to get in contact with other people.

You are off the grid.

Many times that includes you don't have running water.

You're really living in a very primitive way off the grid.

And many people do live off the grid and it's quite an interesting way of life.

Here we go.

Sentence number one.

They decided to go off the grid and spend a week camping in the wilderness.

This is something that I'd like to do.

Why?

Because it helps you reset and you can be calm.

So again, they decided to go off the grid and spend a week

camping in the wilderness.

Sentence number two, the cabin they rented was off the grid, allowing

them to disconnect from technology.

And.

Enjoy nature.

And finally, we have sentence number three, the remote island

they visited was off the grid with no electricity or phone service.

You got it.

Excellent.

So again, off the grid.

Now we have number 10, my friend, you are going to sound like a pro

number 10, live out of a suitcase.

Good again, live out of a suitcase.

Great job.

Now this literally just means.

It's to be constantly traveling or on the move with no permanent residents.

You're always living out of your suitcase.

Literally in some situations, you have your clothes and your suitcase,

and you're traveling from state to state, to country, to country,

and you're really not home often.

You have to live out of your suitcase.

Makes sense.

All right.

Check out this first example sentence as a flight attendant, she has to

basically live out of a suitcase.

She's always traveling.

So she's only able to get her clothing out of her suitcase.

Basically.

Makes sense.

All right, here we go.

Sentence number two, the nomadic lifestyle allowed them to live out of a suitcase

and experience different cultures.

And finally, sentence number three, living out of a suitcase, it can be

challenging, but it offers a sense of freedom and a sense of adventure.

Make sense.

All right.

Again, live out of a suitcase.

You got it.

Excellent.

My friend today, you learned 10 English idioms that will

help you sound like a pro.

Now don't forget, you need to go to the app and start practicing what you learned.

The

English with Tiffani app.

I hope

you enjoyed this lesson and I can't wait to talk to you in the next one.

I'll see you next week.

You still there?

You know what time it is.

It's story time.

I said, it's story time.

All right.

So for this story time, I just want to tell you about my trip to South.

and why I actually went to South Korea about three or four weeks ago.

So, when I was in South Korea living there as an English teacher many

years ago, one of the teachers I worked with, she was Korean, we

ended up becoming close friends.

Friends, we became best friends and we hung out all the time.

We spent almost every weekend together traveling around South Korea.

We enjoyed spending time together.

And during our trips together, we would talk about life, our future husbands,

our future children, what we wanted to do in life, and we had long conversations.

But fast forward, I came back to America and you know, Korea

is very far from America.

So we were only able to speak to each other using our phones, right?

Texting or calling.

She actually married my student.

I'm giving you the short version.

So in 2019, I flew back to Korea for their wedding.

So it was beautiful.

Very happy for my friend.

I want you to understand how close we are.

So in 2021 or 2020, 2021, of course, you know, the pandemic.

She was pregnant with her first son, and I wasn't able to visit them.

Why?

Because of the pandemic.

COVID.

Corona.

So, several months ago, well, a year and some change, a year

and some change, a year and some months ago, she got pregnant again.

And COVID was basically over.

And I said, I want to go visit my friend.

I want to see the kids and also her husband.

So I decided to buy a ticket to go see them.

And this was that trip.

I was able to see my friend, her husband, the kids.

I was able to spend time with them for two weeks.

And it was amazing.

But something else that was amazing was seeing my friends

surrounded by so many people.

that love and care about her people that are interested in my friend's wellbeing,

people that love her like she's family.

And when you see somebody you care about be cared about by

other people, it warms your heart.

So I enjoyed my time there.

But I also still think about that time and it warms my heart because of

the people that are around my friend.

So, for those watching this video, you know who you are in South Korea, living

near my friend and being there for her.

I want to thank each of you for being so amazing.

Thank you so much for loving my friend.

I look forward to seeing you all again next year.

And I hope you guys enjoyed this story.

I'll talk to you in the next lesson.