ESL Podcast 278 - Meeting the Future In-laws

I don't mind telling you... - a phrase used to mean "I want to tell you ..." or "I'm not embarrassed or frightened to tell you..."

We've always told each other our secrets, so I don't mind telling you about the embarrassing thing that happened to me last weekend.

nervous - anxious; worried or scared about what is going to happen

Most people get very nervous when they have to make a presentation in front of their coworkers.

to face the firing squad - to enter a very difficult and/or dangerous situation; to stand in front of a group of soldiers who are going to shoot one for having committed a crime

Antonio felt like he was facing the firing squad when he had to tell his employees that the factory was closing and they were going to lose their jobs.

first impression - the way that one feels about someone the first time that one meets him or her

My first impression of Jewel was that she was very shy, but now I know that she's only like that when she first meets someone.

musician - a person who writes or makes music

Everyone in this band - the singer, pianist, drummer, and guitar player - have been musicians most of their lives.

straight-laced - conservative; having traditional and strict beliefs about how people should behave; not doing anything risky or unacceptable

Mandy has never been to a party, stayed out past 10:30, or drank alcohol. She is the most straight-laced person I know!

convict - a criminal; a person who committed a crime and was or is in prison

Everyone was scared when they heard that a convict had escaped from prison.

in comparison - compared to something else; looking at the similarities and differences between two people or things

In comparison with California, Oregon is a rainy, cold state, but in comparison with Washington, Oregon is warm and sunny.

to postpone - to delay; to decide to do something later than originally planned

The meeting has been postponed until next Thursday because the director had to travel unexpectedly.

to put (something) out there - to present an idea for consideration by other people; to ask other people to think about something

I don't think Josh meant that he didn't like your report. He was just putting the idea out there that the report might be better if it had more detailed information.

to put (something) off - to delay; to postpone; to plan to do something later

If you put off doing your homework until the day before it's due, you'll have to stay awake all night to finish it.

exist - to be alive or real; to not be part of one's imagination

Do you think that life exists on other planets?

to blow (something) out of proportion - to believe or act as if something is much more important than it actually is

Dasha got into a small car accident and her parents blew it out of proportion, deciding that she shouldn't drive again until she graduates from college.

in-law - the mother, father, brother, or sister of one's husband or wife

Vanessa likes her mother-in-law, but she and her sister-in-law aren't very good friends.

to ride on (something) - to depend on something

They plan to have an outdoor wedding, so they're riding on having good weather.

no matter what - regardless; without giving importance to anything else

No matter what Janice says about your chances, you should try out for the team. You're a great player and I think you'll make it.

to have good taste in (something) - to be very good at identifying the good among the bad; to be good at choosing something

Patricia has very good taste in clothing and she is always dressed professionally.