Words and Their Stories - VOA Learning English
Words and Their Stories programs explain idioms and expressions that many learners of American English find difficult to understand.
When Is Something 'Ancient History'? - March 21, 2024
Thu, 21 Mar 2024 12:11:17 +0000
When Do You 'Go Against the Grain'? - March 15, 2024
Fri, 15 Mar 2024 13:35:58 +0000
'Dip Your Toes' or 'Take the Plunge'? - March 08, 2024
Fri, 08 Mar 2024 13:46:58 +0000
Read the Riot Act - February 29, 2024
Thu, 29 Feb 2024 18:17:20 +0000
Influence Others from a 'Bully Pulpit' - February 22, 2024
Thu, 22 Feb 2024 13:36:57 +0000
US Presidents Like to Make Up Words, Expressions - February 15, 2024
Thu, 15 Feb 2024 20:21:45 +0000
Why Do Married Couples 'Tie the Knot'? - February 08, 2024
Thu, 08 Feb 2024 23:28:01 +0000
Do You Have a 'Doppelgänger'? - February 01, 2024
Thu, 01 Feb 2024 21:20:25 +0000
Snow Day? Don't Be 'Left Out in the Cold' - January 24, 2024
Wed, 24 Jan 2024 18:45:39 +0000
Marathon or Sprint? - January 17, 2024
Wed, 17 Jan 2024 22:12:24 +0000
Walk Before You Can Run - January 10, 2024
Wed, 10 Jan 2024 23:28:44 +0000
Do You Color Inside or Outside the Lines? - January 05, 2024
Fri, 05 Jan 2024 13:14:23 +0000
Goal! Do You Have One for 2024? - December 28, 2023
Thu, 28 Dec 2023 13:23:35 +0000
The World in Other Words in 2023 - December 27, 2023
Wed, 27 Dec 2023 20:38:55 +0000
'Tis the Season! - December 20, 2023
Wed, 20 Dec 2023 21:25:42 +0000
When Does a Problem 'Snowball'? - December 14, 2023
Thu, 14 Dec 2023 23:34:59 +0000
AI, Hallucinate, Authentic or Rizz for Word of the Year - December 05, 2023
Tue, 05 Dec 2023 23:33:45 +0000
It's Time to 'See the Light' - November 30, 2023
Thu, 30 Nov 2023 13:43:26 +0000
Merriam-Webster Chooses ‘Authentic’ as Word of the Year - November 27, 2023
Mon, 27 Nov 2023 20:25:53 +0000
'State-of-the-Art' Is the Best of Its Time - November 17, 2023
Fri, 17 Nov 2023 15:26:49 +0000
Are You 'Sitting Pretty'? - November 09, 2023
Thu, 09 Nov 2023 16:31:32 +0000
'Straight From the Horse's Mouth' - October 31, 2023
Tue, 31 Oct 2023 21:45:05 +0000
'Birds of a Feather...' - October 27, 2023
Fri, 27 Oct 2023 15:58:11 +0000
How Do You Define Success? - October 20, 2023
Fri, 20 Oct 2023 12:17:36 +0000
The Bad Side of Roses - October 13, 2023
Fri, 13 Oct 2023 12:32:39 +0000
How Do You Stay 'In Shape'? - October 05, 2023
Thu, 05 Oct 2023 14:15:30 +0000
'Boilerplate' Language Is All Business - September 28, 2023
Some writing is unusual and creative, but that is not boilerplate. Find out what this word means on this week’s Words and Their Stories.
Thu, 28 Sep 2023 20:43:49 +0000
No Need to 'Gild the Lily' - September 21, 2023
Thu, 21 Sep 2023 14:38:50 +0000
'Icing on the Cake' Is As Good As It Sounds - September 13, 2023
Wed, 13 Sep 2023 01:31:46 +0000
What Is 'Empty Nest Syndrome'? - September 08, 2023
Fri, 08 Sep 2023 12:53:52 +0000
Explore from Your 'Armchair' - September 01, 2023
Fri, 01 Sep 2023 12:52:25 +0000
What Does 'On a Shoestring' Mean? - August 25, 2023
Fri, 25 Aug 2023 12:37:53 +0000
Make Your Home 'Spick-and-Span' - August 15, 2023
Tue, 15 Aug 2023 22:42:57 +0000
Learn When to Wear 'Kid Gloves' - August 11, 2023
Fri, 11 Aug 2023 03:12:56 +0000
'Run Something Up the Flagpole' to Test an Idea - August 01, 2023
Tue, 01 Aug 2023 18:57:43 +0000
'Beating a Dead Horse' Is Pointless - July 27, 2023
Thu, 27 Jul 2023 21:35:12 +0000
Seeing 'Double'? - July 20, 2023
Thu, 20 Jul 2023 12:22:42 +0000
'To Sink or Swim' Is Up to You - July 12, 2023
Wed, 12 Jul 2023 17:00:45 +0000
Differences Between Board, on Board, Aboard - July 07, 2023
Fri, 07 Jul 2023 12:32:58 +0000
'All Thumbs' - June 28, 2023
Wed, 28 Jun 2023 16:56:58 +0000
'In The Hot Seat' Is Not Where You Want to Be - June 22, 2023
Thu, 22 Jun 2023 22:00:04 +0000
Are You Prepared 'to See How the Sausage Is Made'? - June 15, 2023
Thu, 15 Jun 2023 18:04:15 +0000
Let's 'Zero in' on Number Expressions - June 08, 2023
Thu, 08 Jun 2023 20:27:42 +0000
'Clean As a Whistle' - June 01, 2023
Thu, 01 Jun 2023 18:51:14 +0000
'Watch My Dust!' - May 25, 2023
Thu, 25 May 2023 13:46:30 +0000
Does a Good Luck Charm 'Work Like a Charm'? - May 18, 2023
Thu, 18 May 2023 20:44:34 +0000
'Housekeeping' and 'Clean House' Mean More Than Cleaning - May 10, 2023
Wed, 10 May 2023 21:34:56 +0000
Oil and Water Do Not Mix - May 03, 2023
Wed, 03 May 2023 12:34:58 +0000
Why Is This Bird a 'Burden'? - April 26, 2023
Wed, 26 Apr 2023 21:15:20 +0000
Are You a 'Bull in a China Shop'? - April 21, 2023
Fri, 21 Apr 2023 12:22:35 +0000
