Native English Expressions | Ep.17

Do you feel lost when listening to native speakers? It’s likely because textbook English isn’t enough. Welcome to Native Expressions Ep.17.

Real conversations are full of idioms, phrasal verbs, and cultural nuances. This series curates authentic expressions directly from podcasts and YouTube videos to help you sound more natural and confident.

📺 Watch the full original video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcOM3H06KI4

Native Expressions Ep.17 | 1 – 10

look out

to be careful because of a danger
The woman shouted to look out before her friend stepped near the dangerous acid.

acid

a liquid chemical that can burn other materials
The man warned her to be careful because the container was filled with a dangerous acid.

flesh

the soft part of a body under the skin
The chemical is so strong that it can quickly destroy human flesh.

cure

a solution or relief for an unpleasant situation
The host suggested that a drink upstairs would be the perfect cure for the dusty air.

make a deal

to reach an agreement, especially in business
He decided to make a deal over the phone to receive a large sum of money.

lock in

to prevent someone from leaving a place by closing it
They were surprised to find out the host intended to lock them in the house for the night.

spook oneself

to accidentally make yourself feel scared
The pilot admitted that it is easy to spook oneself when flying alone in the dark.

be worth it

to be useful or enjoyable despite the cost or effort
Even though the house is scary, the prize money makes staying there be worth it.

nickel

a coin in the US worth five cents
The host is so wealthy that ten thousand dollars is like a nickel to him.

bump one’s head

to accidentally hit your head against something hard
The man was dizzy because he happened to bump his head while exploring the dark room.

Native Expressions Ep.17 | 11 – 20

head on

with the front of something pointing directly at something else
He joked that the only way to get hurt was to run head on into a solid wall.

bandage

a piece of soft material used to cover and protect an injury
The doctor suggested putting a bandage on the cut to keep it clean.

hysteria

a state of extreme excitement or fear that makes it hard to control emotions
The doctor believed the woman’s claim about seeing a ghost was just a result of hysteria.

get something checked

to have a professional examine something to make sure it is okay
The doctor advised the man to get his injury checked by a specialist in a few days.

pet ghost

a ghost that someone talks about often, as if it were their own
He laughed and asked if the man truly believed in his pet ghost haunting the house.

it’s got to end

a phrase used to say that a stressful situation must stop
As the tension in the house grew worse, the woman sighed and said that it’s got to end.

red tape

official rules and processes that seem unnecessary and cause delay
She wanted to know if there would be much red tape before she could receive her prize money.

frankly

in an honest and direct way, even if it is unpleasant
When asked if she was in a hurry, she answered frankly that she wanted to leave quickly.

frantically

doing something with extreme fear, hurry, or confusion
She looked around the room frantically, trying to find a way out of the locked house.

float

to move slowly through the air without falling
The woman was terrified because she claimed the ghost does not run but simply floats.

Native Expressions Ep.17 | 21 – 29

freshen up

to wash your face or hands to feel more clean and comfortable
The hostess invited the guest to her room so she could freshen up before the party continued.

depressing

making you feel very sad or without hope
Looking around the dark and old bedroom, she remarked that the room was quite depressing.

atmosphere

the feeling or mood that a place or situation gives you
The heavy rain and thunder provided the perfect atmosphere for a scary ghost party.

pick someone

to choose someone from a group
She was confused and wondered why the wealthy man decided to pick her for this strange event.

wander around

to walk slowly around an area without a specific direction
The man asked her why she was wandering around the dark house all by herself.

cellar

an underground room used for storing things
She explained that she had been down in the cellar with her friend before coming upstairs.

for one’s sake

for the benefit or good of someone
He told her that for her own sake, he hoped she would never encounter the mysterious woman.

fix one’s face

to touch up makeup or tidy one’s appearance
The hostess told the guest to fix her face in the room before they returned to the party.

by oneself

alone, without any other people
He warned her that it was not safe to go anywhere in the mansion by herself.