ESL Podcast 642 - Installing Windows and Doors

to bite off more than (one) can chew - to try to do something that is too big or difficult for one to actually do or finish

Erick tried to go to school full-time and work 30 hours per week, but he bit off more than he could chew.

do-it-yourself project - a project that one does alone, without hiring professionals, especially when referring to work done on or around one's home

Painting and landscaping can be do-it-yourself projects, but if anything's wrong with your home's electricity, it's a good idea to hire professional electricians.

to install - to put something in or onto something else so that it can be used

When did you install the new water heater?

to learn as (one) goes - to learn through experience; to learn by doing; to do something without instruction, teaching oneself things as one needs to know them

This is the first time we've changed the oil in a car, but we'll learn as we go.

double-paned - with two pieces of glass very close to each other, but with a small amount of air in between, providing better protection from the weather and noise than a single-paned window

After they installed double-paned windows, their heating bills were a lot lower.

to slide - to move smoothly and gently in one direction, rubbing against something else

He slid his hands over the table Jan had just finished making, feeling its smoothness.

frame - a square or rectangular shape that goes around something else, such as a picture frame

Sheila bought a frame so that she could hang her diploma on the wall.

screen - a piece of wire or plastic netting with very small holes, hung behind a door or window so that the door or window can be left open to let in fresh air, but not let insects come inside

These screens do a great job of keeping flies out of the house.

latch - a small piece of metal that can be moved to hold something closed or to let it be opened

I couldn't open your gate. How does the latch work?

to give (someone) a hand - to help someone with something

Could you please give me a hand with these heavy boxes?

to get (something) out of the way - to do something unpleasant immediately, without delaying, so that one can then forget about it and focus on other things

Let's get these dirty dishes out of the way so that we can enjoy the rest of the evening.

nightfall - sunset; the time between afternoon and evening, when the sky begins to get dark

Mom told us to make sure we're back home by nightfall.

jamb - one of the vertical pieces of wood on the sides of a window or door

Are you going to paint the jambs the same color as the doors?

hinge - a small piece of metal that lets a door or lid (the top on a box) move to open or close

If the door hinges are squeaky, try putting a little bit of oil on them.

rusted - oxidized; with an orange or red powdery dust that is created when metal gets wet

Their car was rusted, because they left it out in the rain all winter.

stuck - not able to move; locked in a certain position or place

Hamed's key got stuck in the ignition and he couldn't pull it out.

frostbite - a condition where one's fingers and toes get too cold, causing pain and skin damage

If you don't wear warmer gloves, you might get frostbite walking in those mountains!