ESL Podcast 669 - Making Controversial Comments

news commentator - a person whose job is to talk about current events or politics, usually on a TV or radio program

If you have such strong opinions about what's happening, maybe you should become a news commentator so you can tell other people what you think.

to be fired - to lose one's job; to be told one no longer needs to work in a particular organization or position

Can employees be fired for using drugs during their personal time?

inflammatory - something that makes other people very angry; something that causes strong, negative reactions

The website was blocked because it contained too much inflammatory material.

to make a mountain out of a molehill - to exaggerate; to treat a small problem as if it were much more important than it actually is

I know you're angry about what Jake said, but don't make a mountain out of a molehill! I'm sure he didn't mean to upset you.

albeit - although; a word used to modify what one has just said, making it less forceful

It was a beautiful wedding ceremony, albeit a very wet one since it started raining heavily as they said their vows.

controversial - something that many people have strong opinions about and cannot agree on

The town's decision to ban smoking in bars and restaurants was very controversial.

offensive - something that causes other people to become very angry and upset or to feel insulted

The way you assume that all women enjoy cooking and cleaning is very offensive.

to mark (one's) words - to listen to what someone is saying; to pay attention to what someone is saying

Mark my words, this is going to be the worst storm this region has ever experienced.

up in arms - active and agitated; with a lot of excitement and/or anger directed at someone or something, making people want to take action or fight

When the police decided to begin using video cameras to issue speeding tickets, many drivers were up in arms.

head on a platter - an informal phrase used to talk about someone who needs to be punished for something, often by losing his or her job

If you ruin these negotiations, I'll have your head on a platter.

to blow over - to lose importance over time; for an argument or situation to no longer be important, often because people have forgotten about it

I know your wife is angry right now, but if you wait a few days, I'm sure everything will blow over.

tempest in a teapot - a situation where many people become angry or upset over something that is not really very important

The bride started screaming that the roses were the wrong shade of yellow, but it was really a tempest in a teapot. Nobody else could even see the difference in color.

to get away with (something) - to not be punished for one's bad actions; to not be punished for breaking a law or rule; to not experience the negative consequences of one's actions

Sarah's little sister always gets away with things that Sarah would have been punished for.

bet - an arrangement where Person A agrees to pay or do something if Person B is correct, and Person B agrees to pay or do something if Person A is correct

Let's make a bet: If I'm right, you'll wash the dishes all week, but if you're right, I'll take care of the kids on Saturday.

to eat (one's) words - to admit that one was wrong; to say that one's earlier prediction was incorrect

Conchita said her nephew would never graduate from college, but he made her eat her words when he went on to earn his Ph.D.