ESL Podcast 753 - Enduring Hazing
club - association; organization; a group that only members can be part of
To become part of the chess club, just fill out this form and attend a meeting.
to join - to become part of a group or organization
Suzie joined Toastmasters because she wanted to become a better public speaker.
initiation - a ceremony or ritual used to bring new members into a group
As part of their initiation, new sorority members have to clean rooms, shine shoes, and carry textbooks for older sorority members.
to endure - to tolerate; to continue to do or experience something that is unpleasant, uncomfortable, or difficult
Santiago had to endure weeks of chemotherapy, but it worked and the cancer is gone.
hazing - the process of making people do silly, stupid, foolish, or dangerous things in order to become members of an organization
Hazing at the fraternities typically involves doing embarrassing things in public, like wearing women's clothing or walking around in underwear.
to put (one) through (one's) paces - to test someone thoroughly; to make someone show what he or she is capable of doing
When recent graduates begin working at the law firm, the partners really put them through their paces, often making them work more than 70 hours each week.
material - good enough to meet the requirements for some position or job
Yes, he's rich and handsome, but is he really boyfriend material?
watch me - a phrase used to tell someone to observe one's actions, because one is going to do something unusual or unexpected, especially something that the other person doesn't think one can do
Watch me! I'm going to ride my bicycle down those steps.
one of the guys - someone who is part of a group of (young) men and has been accepted by them, often referring to a girl who acts like a boy and is comfortable spending time with them as friends, not in a romantic way
Those four boys have always been very close friends, but you have a lot of common with them, so I bet you'll be one of the guys within a few weeks.
to get the picture - to fully understand what someone is describing or warning about
Joining the Marines is hard work. You have to be able to run, swim, and lift weights for hours, even when people are yelling at you. Get the picture?
to pull a prank - to do something that tricks another person and makes that person seem silly or foolish
The students pulled a prank on their teacher by turning all the desks backwards before she arrived in the morning.
to streak - to run quickly while naked in a public area where other people will see and be shocked or surprised
Two teenagers streaked through the mall, but they didn't realize they would be recorded on the security cameras!
to cross the line - to go too far; to do something that is too extreme and therefore unacceptable to someone or to society
Lying about your work experience on a resume really crosses the line.
chicken - scared; afraid; frightened; not courageous or brave
Sam is too chicken to walk through the cemetery at night.
to humiliate (oneself) - to embarrass oneself; to do something that makes other people think one is silly or foolish
Manuel has a terrible singing voice and refused to humiliate himself by singing with his friends.
to get in - to be accepted or admitted into an organization; to be allowed to participate in something
Lisa wants to get into a good medical school, so she studies hard and volunteers at the hospital.
to suit (oneself) - to do whatever makes one happy or satisfied, used by someone who does not agree with the approach and/or disapproves of it
That has to be the ugliest color I've ever seen, but if you want to paint your bedroom that color, suit yourself.
thank goodness - a phrase used to show gratitude and relief
Did you read this article about the hurricane? Thank goodness we didn't go there on vacation as we had planned!