ESL Podcast 610 - Preparing to Travel
psyched - an informal word for being very excited about something; ready and eager to do something; mentally prepared for something that one is looking forward to
All the actors are psyched about opening night.
to hold (one's) mail - to not have one's mail delivered for a specified period of time, instead having the post office collect it and deliver it all at once when one returns
Please hold my mail for two weeks and begin delivering it again on Monday the 27th .
to suspend - to temporarily stop doing or having something, with plans to have it start again in the future
All of their baseball games have been suspended until the weather gets better.
automatically - without one's involvement; without needing to do anything to make something happen
This software program includes a calendar that automatically sends me an email a few days before my friends' birthdays, so that I don't forget to call them.
utility - a service that is provided to the public, usually paid for each month
When they moved into a new home, they had to set up new accounts with all the utilities, including natural gas, electricity, and water providers.
to cut off - to stop providing a service, usually because the customer has stopped paying for it; to stop supporting someone financially
Our telephone service was cut off because we forgot to pay the bill three months in a row.
to accrue - to have something add up over time; for something to increase or become larger or more numerous over time
Normally interest accrues from the date of the purchase, but the furniture store is offering a special deal where interest doesn't accrue for the first six months.
to have got (something) covered - to have something under control; to have already fixed a problem or a potential problem; to have a solution
The roof started leaking, but don't worry. I've got it covered. The roofing company is fixing it right now.
to water - to pour water onto plants, especially indoor plants, to keep them alive
If you water a cactus plant too much, it will die.
name it - an informal phrase used to show that one is willing to do whatever another person wants or needs
There's one thing I really want for my birthday....
Name it and I'll get it for you - as long as it doesn't cost more than $20.
to board - to pay for an animal to stay at a business or with another person for a period of time when one is unable to be with it
How much does it cost to board your horses on the farm each month?
kennel - a place of business where many dogs, cats, and other small pets are cared for while their owners are away
Our kennel takes really good care of pets, making sure that they eat well and get to play outside for at least three hours each day.
to look after (someone) - to take care of someone; to keep someone safe and out of trouble
Could you please look after my daughter for a few hours after school today? I need to work late.
to pitch in - to help someone do something; to assist someone with something, doing a small part of a larger task
If we all pitch in and work together, it shouldn't take more than a few hours to clean the garage.
sucker - a person who can be tricked or fooled easily; a gullible person
Otello is such a sucker! He believes everything he hears.