Podcast #37 Ambitious Alex

The Mr Vocab Podcast is available on Amazon Android, Google Play and iTunes App Store.

Ambitious Alex

Alex was an ambitious bartender, who made cocktails at a restaurant. His dream was to set up his own business and he only looked up to successful people. Alex didn’t want to deal with average people or annoying customers.

One afternoon, the owner of the restaurant asked him to chip in for a birthday present. It was the cleaner's birthday.

“I’m sorry,” said Alex. “I look up to you, but I don’t make enough money to chip in for a present, especially a present for a cleaner. I don’t look up to the cleaner”

“I understand Alex,” replied the owner. “I want to help you make more money. Would you be interested in a promotion? I think you’d be a great manager.”

“I’m definitely management material,” said Alex. “I’m surprised you haven’t asked before. Which area of the restaurant do you want me to manage? 

“All will be revealed Alex, follow me and you’ll find out.”

Alex followed his boss to the men’s bathroom.

“Here you are Alex. You’re the new manager of cleaning the toilet. Don’t let me down!”

Further examples:

• Why do you work for a big company? You should just set up your own business.

• I really look up to my big brother, when I’m older I want to be like him.

• I can’t deal with your problem right now, I’m busy.

• We all need to chip in for Sammy’s birthday present.

• I’m not sure you’re management material. You’re always late, and you’re rude to your colleagues.

• I know you’re excited about your surprise, but don’t worry…. all will be revealed later.

• I’m sorry I let you down, I’ll do better next time.

LEARN ENGLISH VOCABULARY WITH MR VOCAB’S STORY BOOKS

Did you find this podcast useful? Why not try some of our vocabulary books designed for ESL students:

Mr Vocab’s Phrasal Verb Stories (PDF version) (Amazon book)

Mr Vocab’s Naked Idioms (PDF version) (Amazon book)

Useful English Vocabulary For Conversations

Imagine this situation. You are studying English abroad (i.e. London or Brighton). You finish school, and you want to go out to a bar and have a chin-wag with some of the local people.

chin-wag = casual conversation

Let’s look at three questions you might be asked, and how you can respond using a few ESL phrasal verbs and idioms!

1. “What are you doing in England?”

Response: “Well, I’m trying to brush up on my English so I’m doing a course at an English school here.”

brush up on (phrasal verb) = improve an existing skill in a short period of time

2. “ARE you ENJOYING YOUR language school?”

Response: “I love it, but it cost me an arm and a leg….”

cost an arm and a leg (idiom) = very expensive

3. “Where do you COME FROM?”

Response 1 (city): “I come from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, in Japan.”

Response 2 (countryside): “I live in a boring little village but we have a very tight-knit community!”

hustle and bustle (idiom) = an expression to describe busy city areas such as New York, London, Paris

tight-knit (idiom) = an expression used to describe a group or community with strong / caring relationships.

Learn English vocabulary with Mr Vocab’s story books

Did you find this post useful? Why not try some of our vocabulary books designed for ESL students:

Mr Vocab’s Phrasal Verb Stories (PDF version) (Amazon book)

Mr Vocab’s Naked Idioms (PDF version) (Amazon book)

Podcast #36 - Mike's Magic Mirror

The Mr Vocab Podcast is available on Amazon Android, Google Play and iTunes App Store.

Mike’s Magic Mirror

One day, Mike McCallister took his dog into town to buy a new bedroom mirror. He noticed a new shop. Inside the shop window was a big sign saying ‘Magic Mirror - Only £5’.

Mike entered the shop.

“Excuse me,” said Mike. “I’m interested in buying your magic mirror.”

“Excellent choice sir,” said the man behind the counter. “Only £5, it’s an absolute steal! All you have to do is look in the mirror every morning, and make a wish.”

Mike assumed the man was probably a basket case, but even so, he was very curious about this magic mirror. When Mike got home, he fed the dog in the kitchen and then walked up the apples and pears to his bedroom so he could put his new mirror up on the wall.

The next morning, Mike jumped out of bed. He felt fresh as a daisy. It was time to use the magic mirror. Mike stood in front of the mirror and made a wish.

“I wish my dog could talk.”

After making his wish, Mike got dressed and went downstairs to the kitchen. He found the dog waiting for him.

“Morning Mike,” said the dog. “Any chance of some food?”

Mike was gobsmacked. The magic mirror really worked.

“Of course boy,” said Mike. “I’ll get you some food, and then we can talk about anything you want. How about football? Or maybe James Bond films?”

The dog looked disappointed. 

“Actually Mike, my only real interest is in America’s federal income tax. Did you know that in 1913, the 16th Amendment established the federal income tax system used in America today?

At that moment, Mike realised his dog was as dull as dishwater.

Further examples:

• I can’t believe you paid less than £100 for that jacket. It’s an absolute steal!

• I’m not going on another date with him, he was a complete basket case! I need to block him on Instagram as well.

• Wait a moment, I’ll just run up the apples and pears and grab my wallet, then we can go to the cinema.

• I feel fresh a daisy, it must be that glass of warm milk I drank before bed!

• Tim was gobsmacked when his grandmother started breakdancing at the wedding.

• Please don’t invite the boss to our work drinks, he’s as dull as dishwater, it would be so painful!

Podcast #35 - The Most Boring Teacher In The World

The Mr Vocab Podcast is available on Amazon Android, Google Play and iTunes App Store.

The Most Boring Teacher In The World

Randy Smith was a teacher. But Randy was no ordinary teacher, he was the most boring teacher in the world. His lessons were like watching paint dry. Students often used his lessons to catch some z’s.

One day Randy realised seven students in his class were asleep. It was the last straw. Randy hit the roof.

Randy shouted so loudly that the Headmistress ran to his classroom.

“What in heavens is going on in here Mr. Smith?”

“It’s my student's Headmistress.” said Randy. “They’ve got no respect. Look at them, seven of them are sleeping and the other five are playing with their phones.”

“So it’s really true,” said the Headmistress. “You really are the most boring teacher in the world.”

Randy was stunned into silence. In fact, the whole class was gobsmacked. The room was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop.

Many, many years later, Randy lay in his hospital bed. He told his Doctor the story about the sleeping students and his horrible Headmistress.

“I’m sorry Randy,” said the Doctor. “You’re boring me to death with this dull story, and I’m very busy. Take your pills and I’ll see you in a few hours.

Further examples:

• This film is like watching paint dry. Come on, let’s sneak out and get some food!

• I can’t come out tonight guys, I need to go home and catch some z’s.

• First you steal my favourite cookies, then you break my Playstation?? That’s the last straw!

• Was Donald angry? You should have seen him… he hit the roof.

• The room was stunned into silence when Betty started dancing naked on the table. Her husband could not believe it. He was gobsmacked.

• There was so much tension, you could hear a pin drop. Everyone thought they were about to start fighting.

• I’m bored to death of these rubbish films on Netflix. Let’s try Amazon Prime tonight.

Podcast #34 Benny Joins The Mafia

The Mr Vocab Podcast is available on Amazon Android, Google Play and iTunes App Store.

Benny Joins The Mafia

Benny Cornetto was sick and tired of people walking all over him. He had tried everything. He had attended seminars on how to build confidence. He had taken private lessons to help him become more assertive. Nothing worked. Nobody took Benny seriously.

One day, Benny decided to join the Mafia. His friend Doug thought this was a bad idea.

“Come on Benny,” said Doug. “You wouldn’t say boo to a goose. How can you expect to join the world of organised crime?”

“I’ve tried everything Doug,” replied Benny. “I’m in the last chance saloon. When people realise I’m connected to the Mob, they won’t mess with me anymore.”

Benny arrived for his meeting with the head of the local Mafia, Antonio Pistone.

“Well, look who it is,” said Antonio as Benny walked into the bar. “Little Benny from South Street. I understand you want to join us?”

“Yes Godfather Antonio, yes! I want to be a part of your organisation more than anything in the world! I’m very diligent, and extremely discreet.”

“That’s music to my ears Benny,” said Antonio. “Tell me something, do you mind getting your hands dirty?”

“Of course not Godfather Antonio. Do you want me to kill someone?”

“Kill someone? Are you crazy? I need someone to clean the toilets here.”

“I can do that!” replied Benny excitedly. 

And just like that, Benny became the head of toilet cleaning of the local Mafia. Nobody messed with him again.

Further examples:

• I’m sick and tired of my boss, I wish he’d just relax for one second!

• You’ve got to stop letting people walk all over you. You need to learn how to be more assertive.

• You think Henry smashed your car windows? Are you serious? He wouldn’t say boo to a goose, he would never do something like that!

• John’s in the last chance saloon. His wife will leave him if he doesn’t stop drinking.

• Don’t mess with me, I swear you will regret it.

• You need to be discreet if you work as a personal assistant. You hear all kinds of private and sensitive information in that job..

• I’m so glad we have Rachel at this company. She’s so diligent and reliable.

• Are you saying we don’t have to go to the office tomorrow? That’s music to my ears, I’m going to have an extra hour in bed!

• When you reach the top of the political world, you have to accept that sooner or later, you might need to get your hands dirty…