ESL Podcast 798 - Being Cautious or Thrill-Seeking

to wrap (one's) head around (something) - to be able to understand something that is difficult, surprising, or challenging to understand

Shinji is looking for a textbook that will help him wrap his head around music theory.

never in (one's) wildest dreams - a phrase used to emphasize that something is very unlikely and that one never thought it would happen

Never in our wildest dreams did we expect to sell our home for so much money!

to boggle (one's) mind - to be very confusing, surprising, and difficult to understand or accept

How can you get so many parking tickets? It boggles my mind. Just read the signs before you park on the street!

in the least - even a little bit; to any extent

If he were interested in the least in having a relationship with Heather, he would have called her by now.

compatible - able to work together or able to spend time together without trouble; able to have a comfortable relationship with someone

Richard introduced Sarah to his cousin, because he thought they'd be compatible.

adventurous - wanting to have exciting new experiences and willing to take some risks

Willie was very adventurous as a young man, climbing tall mountains all over the world.

thrill-seeker - someone who looks for very exciting, often dangerous experiences

Clarke is a thrill-seeker who enjoys jumping out of airplanes and helicopters with a parachute.

to mellow - to become calmer, more approachable, or less exciting over time

Everyone noticed how much Jacques mellowed once he stopped drinking so much coffee.

opposite - extremely different from something else, especially when one of two related things

Tara is tall, thin, and graceful. Her husband is the opposite: short, fat, and clumsy.

to toe the line - to follow the rules; to do what is expected; to meet expectations

Lyle used to be very rebellious, but his years in the military taught him to toe the line.

to have an adventurous bone in (one's) body - to have interest in doing exciting, adventurous, and risky things

Olivia doesn't have an adventurous bone in her body. She'd much rather stay at home and read a book than do anything new or exciting.

uptight - tense; wanting to control oneself and one's environment; not relaxed or flexible

Edgar is very uptight and dislikes being around young children because he feels out of control.

cautious - careful; not willing to take risks or try new things

If you're too cautious, you'll never be able to expand your business.

adrenaline rush - the good, pleasurable feeling people have when they do something very exciting, risky, and/or dangerous, especially a physical activity

Mountain biking is good exercise, but Quentin really does it for the adrenaline rush.

novelty - something new and interesting; something that is interesting because one has never tried it before

When Mohammed opened an Ethiopian restaurant, it was a novelty in the small town.

opposites attract - a phrase used to describe how two people who are very different may enjoy spending time together and beginning a relationship, especially a romantic relationship

Parto and Rebecca's marriage is a good example of how opposites attract. He has always enjoyed spending time outdoors and she prefers staying inside, but they're really happy together.

polar opposites - two things that are very different from each other and could not be more different

Alix and Kelsey will never be able to run a successful business together. Their management styles are polar opposites.