ESL Podcast 762 - Eating a Family Dinner
fish out of water - a phrase used to describe someone who is very uncomfortable because he or she is in an unfamiliar situation or environment
For the first few weeks in her new job, Bethany felt like a fish out of water, but now she's more comfortable with the office environment.
to have (someone) over - to invite someone into one's home for a short period of time, especially for a meal
Alicia had us over for dinner and drinks last week.
don't mention it - a phrase used to respond to another person's gratitude or apology, used to show that it isn't necessary and that one's actions aren't important
I'm so sorry I broke your vase!
Don't mention it. I never liked that one very much anyway.
to pass - to pick up a serving dish on the table and give it to another person so that he or she can put more food on his or her plate
Could you please pass the pepper? I can't reach it from here.
to hog - to have or use all of something, without letting anyone else have or use it
Maxine's brother used to complain about how she hogged the bathroom each morning.
to hand - to give something to someone
Hand me the keys. It's my turn to drive.
helping - a serving; one portion; the amount of food taken from a serving dish and put on one's plate
Broccoli is Glen's favorite vegetable, so he always takes an extra-large helping.
dish - a type of food that has been prepared and is being served
Of all the dishes served for Thanksgiving, cranberry sauce is Uncle Ron's favorite.
seconds - a second helping of food; additional food put on one's plate after one has finished the food that was put on the plate originally
Caroline loves to cook, especially when people ask for seconds, because then she knows they like the food she has made.
to eat up - to eat all of something or to eat a lot of something, often used to encourage someone to eat more
We don't have any room for leftovers in the refrigerator, so eat up!
appetite - one's desire to eat; how much food one wants to eat at the moment
When teenage boys are growing, they have a tremendous appetite.
overloaded - with too much of something; with more of something than an object was designed to hold or contain
Sammy's backpack was overloaded with books and he could hardly carry it.
to serve - to put food on a person's plate; to provide some service to another person
They served hamburgers and hot dogs at the barbeque.
to round up - to find something and bring it
Do you think you can round up some more folders for these presentation materials?
to save room for - to not eat as much as one wants, so that one will be able to eat another type of food that will be served very soon; to avoid becoming so full that one won't be able to eat something else
I'm glad you like the pasta, but save room for the peach pie!
every once in a while - occasionally; not frequently; not very often
Lorenzo loves to go to clubs with his friends, but every once in a while, he enjoys a quiet evening at home.
coronary - a heart attack; an informal term referring to the medical condition when one's heart stops beating, usually due to a very unhealthy diet and a lack of exercise
If Earl keeps eating red meat every day, he's going to have a coronary!