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Suggested terms: VOA, English, Words, Their Stories
Click one for hint, twice for full word
for the birds
Meaning: Worthless; not interesting or not useful.
Example: He thinks doing paperwork is for the birds.
a bird’s-eye view
Meaning: A general or high-level view of something from above.
Example: From the tower, you get a bird’s-eye view of the whole city.
birds of a feather flock together
Meaning: People who are similar tend to spend time together.
Example: The two artists became close friends—birds of a feather flock together.
a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Meaning: It’s better to keep what you already have than risk it for something uncertain.
Example: He kept his steady job because a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
chicken out
Meaning: To lose courage and decide not to do something.
Example: She planned to speak on stage but chickened out at the last minute.
parthenogenesis
IPA (UK): /ˌpɑː.θə.nəˈdʒen.ɪ.sɪs/
IPA (US): /ˌpɑːr.θə.noʊˈdʒen.ə.sɪs/
Meaning: A form of asexual reproduction where an egg develops without fertilization.
Meaning: A form of asexual reproduction where an egg develops without fertilization.
Example: Some animals, like certain sharks, can reproduce through parthenogenesis.
pecking order
IPA (UK): /ˈpek.ɪŋ ˌɔː.dər/
IPA (US): /ˈpek.ɪŋ ˌɔːr.dɚ/
Meaning: A hierarchy where people or animals have different levels of importance.
Meaning: A hierarchy where people or animals have different levels of importance.
Example: Promotions in the company follow a strict pecking order.
lame duck
IPA (UK): /ˌleɪm ˈdʌk/
IPA (US): /ˌleɪm ˈdʌk/
Meaning: A person or group with little power because their time in a position is ending.
Meaning: A person or group with little power because their time in a position is ending.
Example: After losing the election, the politician became a lame duck.
ugly duckling
IPA (UK): /ˌʌɡ.li ˈdʌk.lɪŋ/
IPA (US): /ˌʌɡ.li ˈdʌk.lɪŋ/
Meaning: Someone who looks awkward or unattractive as a child but becomes beautiful later.
Meaning: Someone who looks awkward or unattractive as a child but becomes beautiful later.
Example: She used to be an ugly duckling, but now she’s stunning.
chicken feed
IPA (UK): /ˈtʃɪk.ɪn fiːd/
IPA (US): /ˈtʃɪk.ən fiːd/
Meaning: A very small amount of money.
Meaning: A very small amount of money.
Example: He worked long hours for chicken feed.
Other Listening Exercises
Bird Expressions
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