ESL Podcast 585 - Being Clear or Confusing

confused - feeling puzzled; not understanding what is happening or what is being discussed

Taku was really confused when he went to the conference room for the big meeting and nobody else was there.

to keep (something) straight - to be able to understand something by keeping it well organized; to avoid confusion

It's hard to keep all the little kids' jackets, hats, and gloves straight. Who does this jacket belong to?

convoluted - complicated, especially when involving many layers or many different pieces; very difficult to understand or follow

The book editor told Lee that he would have a hard time finding a publisher for such a convoluted novel.

twists and turns - with many unexpected changes in direction or ideas, making something difficult to follow or understand

The movie is really interesting, with lots of twists and turns that keep the viewers wondering what will happen next.

straightforward - direct; uncomplicated; plain

We were hoping the tax attorney could give us a straightforward answer, but instead he said he'd have to research the tax laws.

for once - used to talk about something that happens very rarely or never, although one wishes it would happen more often

It would be nice for my wife to offer to mow the lawn for once. I have to do it every week!

complexity - having a lot of complications or being very complicated and complex; being difficult to understand because many details are involved or because something requires specialized knowledge

These students are fascinated by the complexity of higher-level math.

to go off on tangents - to begin talking or writing about something that is not directly related to the main subject, often changing the subject unintentionally

It's impossible to have a short meeting with Ademir, because he's always going off on tangents and talking about things that have nothing to do with our project.

irrelevant - not relevant; not related to what is being discussed; not useful or important for one's intended purpose

How productive you've been in the past is completely irrelevant. What really matters to us is how productive you are now.

to contradict - to counter or disagree with what has just been said; to say the opposite of something else

The advice my mother gave me contradicts with what my teacher told me to do.

intricate - detailed and involved; with many small parts and details that work together

How did you learn to paint such intricate portraits?

crystal clear - very clear; very direct and easy to understand, without any doubt or confusion

The students appreciate Wataru's explanations, which are always crystal clear.

detail - a single, small piece of information about something; fact

It's hard to make a decision without knowing all the details.

delusions of grandeur - the idea that one is much more important or powerful than one actually is, often associated with mental illness

Ever since Adela earned her graduate degree, she has been suffering from delusions of grandeur, acting like she's the most important person in the world.

to seek professional help - to meet with a doctor, especially a psychologist or psychiatrist, to become healthier or to find a solution to a problem

If the fever persists for more than one week, seek professional help.