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nada / zip / zilch / zippo
Meaning: Informal slang words all meaning "nothing."
Example: He checked his wallet and found nada — completely empty.
break the tension
Meaning: To ease stress or awkwardness in a situation.
Example: She told a funny story to break the tension in the room.
reel someone back in
Meaning: To regain someone’s attention or bring them back to focus.
Example: The teacher reeled the class back in after the noisy break.
Note: Phrasal verb — metaphor from fishing.
buying time
Meaning: To delay or stall while preparing for something else.
Example: He asked a long question just to buy time before giving his answer.
floundering
Meaning: Struggling helplessly or failing to make progress.
Example: The new swimmer was floundering in the deep end until rescued.
phony
Meaning: A fake or insincere person.
Example: Everyone realized the salesman was a phony when his promises fell apart.
see it through
Meaning: To continue until something is completed despite difficulties.
Example: She promised to see the project through no matter how tough it got.
Note: Phrasal verb — often used about perseverance.
life's a roller coaster
Meaning: Life is full of ups and downs, like a roller coaster ride.
Example: He said life’s a roller coaster after experiencing both success and failure in one year.
gesticulate
IPA: /dʒesˈtɪk.jʊ.leɪt/ (UK), /dʒesˈtɪk.jəˌleɪt/ (US)
Meaning: To use hand or body movements to emphasize speech or convey meaning.
Meaning: To use hand or body movements to emphasize speech or convey meaning.
Example: He gesticulated wildly to make it seem like he was building to a conclusion.
anecdote
IPA: /ˈæn.ɪk.doʊt/ (UK & US)
Meaning: A short, often amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.
Meaning: A short, often amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person.
Example: He pretended to share a personal anecdote to endear himself to the audience.
gibberish
IPA: /ˈdʒɪb.ər.ɪʃ/ (UK), /ˈɡɪb.ɚ.ɪʃ/ (US)
Meaning: Speech or writing that is nonsensical or meaningless.
Meaning: Speech or writing that is nonsensical or meaningless.
Example: He filled time by saying gibberish like “wagga-wa, gabba-gabba” to mimic intensity.
Other Listening Exercises
How to sound smart in your TEDx Talk
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