ESL Podcast 508 - Regretting Past Actions

to let (one's) temper get the best of (one) - to lose control of one's words and actions because one is very angry, saying and doing things that one normally wouldn't say or do

After sitting in heavy traffic for hours, Bruce's temper got the best of him and he started yelling at the other drivers.

to freak out - to lose control of oneself; to panic, especially when one is very worried

Chelsea freaked out when she lost her purse.

to rectify - to fix something that is broken; to correct something that is wrong; to solve; to repair

He's hoping he can rectify his problems with his wife and they won't get divorced after all.

in retrospect - looking back on the past after something has already happened, especially when one wishes that one could change what happened

It seemed like a good idea at the time, but in retrospect, I wish we had done things differently.

twerp - a stupid, annoying person whom one doesn't like

Sacari thought her little brother was a twerp while they were growing up, but they're good friends now as adults.

hindsight is 20/20 - a phrase meaning that it is easy to understand a situation after it has happened, especially when one is unhappy about how something happened in the past and would like to change it

Guido never should have married that woman, but hindsight is 20/20. There was no way for him to know what would happen.

dog and pony show - a meeting or event that is organized to impress other people, but isn't really important and doesn't really need to happen

The mayor's office organizes a dog and pony show each time the mayor makes a public statement.

to sugarcoat - to make something seem nicer or better than it really is

When Damian had to tell his employee that she was being fired, he tried to sugarcoat the news by saying, "You won't have to wake up so early anymore."

objection - something that one says or does in opposition to something else, or because one doesn't want something else to happen

Your proposal is a good idea, but my only objection is its cost.

to pull (one's) punches - to not use all of one's abilities, strengths, or resources; to not try to force something to happen

Why would you pull your punches when you're negotiating? That's when you need to be as strong as possible.

to give an inch - to compromise; to change one's decision or change what one is asking for because another person wants one to do so

They wanted to pay a lower price for the car, but the salesperson wouldn't give an inch.

nevertheless - regardless; even though something else is true

Hideaki doesn't like baseball. Nevertheless, he agreed to take his cousin to the game.

repercussion - consequence; something bad that happens as a result of something else

Scientists say there will be many repercussions if humans continue to pollute the air and water.

don't let the door hit you on the way out - a phrase used to mean that one wants a person to leave immediately, usually because he or she has said or done something that was inappropriate; a phrase used when one is happy that another person is leaving, usually after that person has done something to make one angry

They had a horrible fight. He said, "I hate being around you when you're like this. I'm leaving!" And she said, "Well, don't let the door hit you on the way out!"