ESL Podcast 680 - Recognizing an Unsung Hero

to fool (someone) - to trick or deceive someone; to make someone believe something that isn't true

The salesman fooled me! I should have known the price was too good to be true.

to work behind the scenes - to do something that is necessary for a project to succeed, but isn't noticed by most people

TV reporters get all the recognition, but a lot of people work behind the scenes to create those news stories.

to bolster - to make something stronger; to help someone feel stronger and more confident; to improve something

We need a good meal to bolster the soldiers' strength before the next battle.

up to the task - ready and prepared to do something; with the necessary qualifications and abilities to do something

Being a parent is hard work. Do you really think you're up to the task?

to be sunk - to be in a position where one will fail or not be successful

Now that our two best players are injured, our team is sunk.

limelight - receiving a lot of attention from other people and possibly the media; at the center of everyone's interest and attention

Wendy loves the limelight. I wouldn't be surprised if she becomes a famous actress.

linchpin - the most important person or thing in a group; the person or thing that everyone and everything else depends on for success

That policy was the linchpin of her presidency.

to have egg on (one's) face - to be embarrassed publicly; to be in a position where one appears to be stupid or foolish, or where one's actions appear to have been stupid or foolish

If tomorrow's conference doesn't go well, we'll all have egg on our face.

to give (someone) too much credit - to praise someone too much; to give someone too many compliments; to believe that someone has done more work than he or she actually has

We know Janik did a good job, but it seems like you're giving him too much credit. A lot of his success was just due to luck.

unsung hero - a person who makes an important contribution to a successful project, but is not recognized for his or her work

The police department is planning a ceremony to honor the unsung heroes who are doing good work in the community.

to keep a low profile - to do something in a way so that one will not be noticed by other people; to not want to have other people's attention

The boss can be really strict, but if you do your work well and keep a low profile, you shouldn't have any trouble.

nothing of the kind - not at all an example of what one has just been talking about; a phrase used to strongly deny something

A: You're one of the best painters in the world.

B: I'm nothing of the kind. I know a lot of better painters than me.

modest - humble; not wanting to talk about one's skills or abilities; not wanting to say that one does something better than another person

Seung is so modest. You'd never know he's such a great pianist, because he makes it sound like he can play only the easiest songs.

to propose - to suggest; to present an idea for what should be done, how, and when

Ali proposes that we increase profits by raising prices, but other people don't think that will work.

ticker-tape parade - a parade held in a downtown area to honor a person by throwing confetti (many small pieces of paper) down from building windows as he or she walks by below

One of the first ticker-tape parades occurred in 1886 when the Statue of Liberty was dedicated.

to recognize - to realize that something is important or noteworthy; to realize that something has certain characteristics

The mayor is going to recognize Sheryl as the city's teacher of the year.