The Organic English Blog

What does it mean if you 'play it by ear'? Today, we're looking at the idiomatic expression 'play it by ear'. If you play something by ear, it means that you are reacting to a situation and then making a decision. You're not planning anything in advance. It's about being flexible and making decisions based on the situation as it unfolds. Now, apparently, this expression comes from the world of music. Musicians often play a piece of music without reading the notes, but by listening and improvising based on what they hear. Here are a couple of examples to illustrate how it's used: 'What are we doing after lunch?' 'I'm not sure; let's play it by ear. Maybe we can go grab a coffee or go for a walk in the park.' 'Do you have any plans for your vacation?' 'No, not really. I think I'll play it by ear. Maybe I'll visit a few cities or just go hang out on a beach somewhere.' 'The way that I approach the situa

What does it mean if someone puts you on the spot?" The idiomatic phrase "put someone on the spot" means to put someone in an uncomfortable or difficult situation where they have to make a decision or say something without being prepared. Here are a few examples to illustrate: During the meeting, the boss put Sarah on the spot by asking her to make her presentation without any notice. The teacher put me on the spot when he asked me to answer a really difficult question in front of the whole class. So, there you go, "to put someone on the spot." In these examples, someone was put in an unexpected situation where they had to respond to something or make a decision without being prepared. ❖ Support the channel HERE 👋🏽: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/organicenglish Ever wondered about the meaning of "put someone on the spot"? In this short video, we break down this popular idiom, providing clear examples from everyday situations. Perfect for English

Today, I've got two very similar-sounding idioms that actually have meanings that are almost completely opposite. The two idioms are "to punt on something" and "to take a punt on something." Let's take a look at "to take a punt on something" first. If you "take a punt on something," it means you take a chance on something, especially if there's some risk involved. Think of gambling or making some kind of a bet. Here's an example to illustrate: "I wasn't sure about the startup's potential, but I decided to take a punt on it anyway." So, here, I wasn't sure how successful the startup would be, but I took the risk and invested in it anyway. Here's another example: "He wasn't sure about the weather, but he took a punt on it being sunny and prepared a picnic." In this instance, he wasn't sure whether the weather was going to be good or not, but he took the risk and prepared a picnic. No

Learn about the word "turnover." We talk about what it means and give examples. This video helps you understand "turnover" in different situations. Like and subscribe for more easy English lessons! ❖ Support the channel HERE 👋🏽: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/organicenglish Here is a transcript of the video to help you follow along: Today's phrasal verb is "turnover." "Turnover" has several meanings depending on the context. We're looking at the top two: "Turnover" means to transfer control, responsibility, or possession of something to someone else. Here are a few examples: • He turned over the keys of the car to the new owner. • We believe that before people turn over control to an autonomous car, that autonomous car should be at least as good as the very best human drivers. Another way we use "turnover" is when we flip something or reverse it so that we can see the other side. For example: • She turned ove

Ever wondered about the meaning behind the phrase "things have gone south"? Dive into this quick explainer to understand the origins and applications of this popular idiom. Whether it's business, sports, or travel, "to go south" has a place in our conversations. Discover how and why! ❖ Support the channel HERE 👋🏽: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/organicenglish Here is a transcript of the video to help you follow along: "I guarantee you that, at some point, everything's gonna go south on you. What does it mean when something goes south? Of course, there's a literal meaning: you can physically move in the direction that is south. But today, we're looking at the idiom "to go south." If something goes south, that means it's gone wrong, it's gone down, it's failed. It implies a downward direction of some sort. Imagine you're looking at a map. North is usually upwards, and south is downwards. Here are a few examples to ill

"It Suits You" Explained! | Common English Phrases #shorts Are you learning English and curious about the phrase "suit you, sir!"? Dive into this quick explanation of the phrase "suits you, sir!" and discover how "suit" is used as a verb. From fashion choices to life decisions, learn how this expression can be applied in various contexts. Don't forget to like, share, and subscribe for more language insights! Here is a transcript of the video to help you follow along: If I say something "suits you," what does that mean? Does that mean you are wearing a suit? If I say something suits you, I mean that it looks good on you or it's right for you. In this context, we're using "suit" as a verb to make the expression "suits someone." Here are a couple of examples to illustrate: "Wow, that blue dress really suits her. She looks great in it." "I love your new glasses. They really suit you." &quo