ESL Podcast 990 - Being Socially Popular
bash - a big party and celebration involving many people, a lot of excitement, and often spending a lot of money
They're going to have a big bash for Spencer's 21st birthday.
worked up - with a lot of emotions, excitement, and worry or anxiety about something; not calm
Yolanda usually seems so calm. I never thought she'd get this worked up about her final exams.
social event of the year - an extremely important social event that many important people are invited to and that most people would like to go to, but that only certain people may attend
The First Lady's birthday party will be the social event of the year in Washington, D.C.
anyone who's anybody - everyone who is important or aware of something; everyone who has at least a little bit of social standing
Their guest list is so long. Anyone who's anybody will be getting an invitation.
to snub - to treat someone badly by acting as if one is superior to that person, especially by saying or doing something to show that one feels another person is not as important
The new teacher feels snubbed by the older teachers with experience.
to live (something) down - to survive an embarrassing and difficult situation, but remain confident and proud so that other people stop laughing at one or stop talking about what happened
Did you hear how those teenage boys were defeated by a 12-year-old girl on the basketball court? They'll never live it down!
popular - admired and envied by many people because one has many friends and dresses and acts in a special way that other people like to imitate
The popular kids at school often hang out with the athletes, but they rarely spend time with the nerds and the kids who like theater and music.
in-crowd - the most popular students at school; a group of friends who are admired and envied by almost everyone, especially when they feel they are superior to most other people at the school
In high school, being part of the in-crowd sometimes seems like the most important thing in life, but later, it becomes clear that it doesn't really matter.
so much as - even; a phrase used for emphasis to talk about the minimum amount of something
If a poker player so much as blinks, the other players might interpret it as a sign of what kind of cards he or she has.
to give (someone) the cold shoulder - to pay no attention to someone; to not be friendly or kind toward another person; to ignore someone; to not respond in a friendly way to someone's actions or words
Why are you giving me the cold shoulder? Did I do something to offend you?
to worship - to show a lot of respect and admiration for God or for a person, because one thinks that person is perfect or almost perfect
Many businesspeople worship Donald Trump because he has made so many successful investments.
one of these days - someday; eventually; a phrase used to talk about what might happen in the future, but when a specific date has not been chosen or identified
One of these days, we should go rafting on the McKenzie river.
to take (someone) down a peg - to humble someone; to do something that makes a proud person feel less arrogant and stop feeling superior to others
He's a good politician, but he's arrogant. Someone needs to take him down a peg.
to dare - to have the courage to do something that is very difficult, dangerous, or socially unacceptable
The girls dared their friend to ask the football player out on a date.
to go against - to disagree with another person; to confront someone; to no longer follow or agree with another person
Henrietta is a great boss as long as none of her employees go against her ideas and policies.
social life - the amount of time and the ways in which one spends time with friends outside of work and family obligations for fun and to make connections with other people
Chelsea has a lively social life and goes out with friends most evenings.
clueless - without awareness or an understanding of something; not knowledgeable about something
Lyle is clueless about home maintenance and repair.